Can photovoltaic energy storage be done in Africa

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Africa has abundant solar resources but only 2% of its current capacity is generated from renewable sources. Photovoltaics (PV) offer sustainable, decentralized electricity access to meet development needs. This review synthesizes the recent literature on PV in Africa, with a focus on Mozambique.

Moreover, solar PV systems do not help overcome the 'cooking crisis' that exists in Sub-Saharan Africa . This is because solar PV systems cannot generate the required amount of energy for cooking, which is one of the most significant energy requirements in the region.

Solar PV, which, as reported by our colleagues at PV Tech in their write-up of the AFSIA report, reached 19.2GW in 2024, increasing by 2.5GW on 2023 levels, is becoming the focal energy generation resource for Africa.

Africa is considered to have the highest potential for solar energy systems worldwide, accounting for 60% of the world's best solar resources [3, 4]. Despite its potential, Africa has only 1% of its installed solar energy capacity [4, 5]. The lack of energy access is considered the most significant barrier to African economic development .

In recent years, solar energy has emerged as a pivotal solution to the pressing energy challenges faced by Africa. With abundant sunlight year-round, Africa has immense potential for solar energy generation. Photovoltaic (PV) systems, which convert sunlight directly into electricity, are particularly well suited for this context.

Renewables, including solar, wind, hydropower, and geothermal, are expected to account for over 80% of the new power generation capacity by 2030 in the Sub-Saharan Africa region, which demonstrates that solar energy systems are leading the way in Africa's energy sector . The off-grid model transformed the access to solar power in rural Africa.