Africa Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2025-2033)

Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology traps solar energy with the assistance of semiconductor materials in order to offer a renewable source of power. It is silent in operation and does not emit any gases; besides, it greatly minimizes reliance on fossil fuels. Solar PV systems are as large as solar farms that feed into the grid or as small as rooftop solar systems that may serve a home. Solar PV is one of the energy technologies that has developed rapidly in the world due to continuous improvements in efficiency, cost, and storage of energy. Solar PV is very important in solving the problem of climate change, ensuring energy independence, and ensuring the world moves towards a greener future by tapping the unlimited energy of the sun.

The Africa Solar Photovoltaic (PV) market is set to show a growth rate of about 23.00% during the forecast period (2025- 2033F). The African solar photovoltaic (PV) market is witnessing a rapid shift due to a massive rise in total energy consumption, various notable government policies, and increased investment in renewable energy infrastructure. Solar PV has emerged as one of the most promising options in various countries, such as Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, etc., that are striving to decrease their reliance on fossil fuels to improve energy security. Urbanization and population explosion are also surging to give rise to the demand for low-cost and green power. The growth of domestic production capacities, in combination with the strategic alliances with foreign energy companies, is also enhancing the availability of state-of-the-art solar technologies. Also, regional projects that encourage clean energy trade and finance are increasing the deployment and encouraging cross-border co-operation in the renewable energy business in Africa.

According to the panel type, the African market in solar photovoltaic (PV) is divided into monocrystalline, polycrystalline, bifacial, and others. Among them, the polycrystalline segment has captured the larger market share because it is cost-effective, it is widely available, and its production is not that difficult. Its efficiency-price ratio is the most effective to choose it in large-scale and off-grid solar systems throughout the continent. Moreover, the polycrystalline panels can work in high temperatures, which is appropriate in numerous African areas. They are further being adopted due to increased investment in commercial and residential projects. Nevertheless, as technology progresses and the price of monocrystalline and bifacial panels decreases, future development can be more diversified as developers search for more efficient solutions to both grid-connected and decentralized solar systems.

Based on installation, the African solar energy market is segmented into ground-mounted, roof-mounted, and others. The ground-mounted segment has held the major market share due to the high number of solar farms, as well as the installation of industrial utility-scale solar power plants. Additionally, the rising demand for microgrid and coping with the challenge of providing renewable energy, the demand for ground-mounted installations is further anticipated to rise. However, many of the new projects are rising in the residential roof-mounted and floating solar farms, which would create a notable demand for the respective categories in the coming years.

Based on grid type, the African solar photovoltaic market is bifurcated into on-grid and off-grid. Due to the large-scale installations and sheer volume of power production through the utility-scale solar farms, the on-grid category has held the major market share. The off-grid category mainly holds the industrial, commercial, and residential scale of solar energy production, where the power is produced for local/individual consumption.

Based on application, the market is segmented into residential, commercial, and utility. Of these, the utility category has held a significant market share owing to the sheer scale of large-scale farms with massive investment costs. Furthermore, the utility scale is also growing due to massive funding available for the electricity generation and transmitting it to the regions of need.

For a better understanding of the market adoption of Africa Solar Photovoltaic (PV), the market is analyzed based on its presence in countries such as Egypt, South Africa, Uganda, Nigeria, and the Rest of Africa. Egypt has held the major market share owing to the high population, many of the large-scale renewable power generation projects, as well as investment in building future-ready cities that consume less fossil fuel.

Some major players in the market include ARTsolar, Jinko Solar, Canadian Solar, Seraphim, IBC SOLAR AG, Yingli Solar, Davis & Shirtliff, Go Solar Ltd., Wisolar, and Toyo Solar.