Chinese Solar Panels Are Transforming Africa - CleanTechnica

The article highlights the transformative impact of Chinese solar panels on Africa, particularly focusing on South Africa, where over 600 million people lack reliable electricity. Chinese solar and battery systems are not just powering small devices but entire businesses, including automobile plants, wineries, gold mines, and shopping malls. Since 2019, solar energy has rapidly grown to account for about 10% of South Africa’s electricity capacity, marking a significant shift from the country’s long-standing reliance on coal-fired power plants and an aging, unreliable grid that frequently experiences rotating blackouts. China’s involvement extends beyond supplying solar panels and batteries; it is also financing critical grid infrastructure upgrades necessary to support the growing solar capacity. These upgrades include adding 14,000 kilometers of transmission lines, a $25 billion project that South Africa cannot fund independently. By facilitating these investments, China aims to expand its market presence and geopolitical influence in Africa. Chinese state-owned companies are building utility-scale solar farms and bidding on grid modernization contracts, positioning themselves as