Solarbe Global has reported significant developments in the renewable energy sector, particularly regarding distributed energy forums and the increasing prominence of Africa in China’s wind and solar exports. As of May 14, 2025, a variety of factors contribute to this growth.
One of the primary factors is the demand for energy accessibility. With only 73% of Africa having electricity coverage, solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has emerged as a crucial solution to address energy shortages, especially in sub-Saharan regions that rely heavily on distributed solar and microgrid systems.
Moreover, policy and financing support have fortified this progress. In March, South Africa recorded a remarkable export of 0.41 GW, marking a 58% increase year-on-year, thereby capturing 31% of the African market. In the first quarter of 2025, the total export reached 0.9 GW, positioning South Africa as the leader in Africa’s renewable energy exports. Morocco also contributed, exporting 0.14 GW in March, which accounted for 10% of its market, driven by the rising demand for domestic distributed solar projects.
The Smarter E Europe 2025 event, held from May 10 to 14, featured over 70 international conferences, more than 50 specialized forums, and numerous networking events, all aimed at enhancing supply security in the energy sector. Electric mobility plays a critical role in this transition, with bidirectional charging allowing car batteries to serve as distributed energy storage devices. Pilot projects in countries like France have already demonstrated the success of this model.
On April 29, 2025, LONGi Green Energy announced its commitment to “PV+” multi-scenario solutions, participating actively in various projects in Hainan, including centralized and distributed energy systems, offshore solar, and green building initiatives. The company aims to set a benchmark for tropical solar applications globally. Notable projects include the 200 MW Yinggehai Salt Field and the country’s first international zero-carbon demonstration zone in Boao, co-developed with the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.
At the ESIE 2025 Energy Storage International Summit on April 18, 2025, Yongfu Energy showcased its virtual power plant big data platform, which enables real-time access and monitoring of distributed energy resources. This platform is designed to meet the demands of grid regulation and market operations, offering services such as electricity trading and carbon trading to enhance cost efficiency and sustainability in power systems.
Additionally, on April 17, 2025, Trina Solar‘s co-chairman, Gao Haichun, was recognized as one of the 2025 Young Global Leaders by the World Economic Forum for his exceptional leadership in the clean energy sector.
The 2025 Guangdong Province New Energy Power Development Conference and the 12th Guangdong Province Photovoltaic Forum successfully took place in Guangzhou on April 10, 2025. This event brought together authoritative experts and leading representatives from the renewable energy sector to discuss the current state and future trends of the photovoltaic industry in Guangdong.
Innovative applications such as “PV + Charging Stations,” “PV + Agriculture,” and “Shared Energy Storage” were among the key topics explored during high-level discussions led by industry leaders, highlighting the potential for collaborative growth in the renewable energy market.
In summary, the ongoing advancements in the renewable energy sector, particularly in distributed solar energy and energy storage technologies, indicate a promising future for sustainable energy solutions across Africa and beyond.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/chinas-expanding-influence-in-africas-renewable-energy-market-a-focus-on-wind-and-solar-exports/
