Rooftop photovoltaic panels in West Africa

Can rooftop solar PV be scaled up in Africa?

Scaling up application of rooftop solar PV in Africa still faces multi-faceted challenges as detailed earlier in the PESTLE analyses. African cities are not lacking solar resources but suffer from the deficit of technological capacity along with the limited financial and regulatory supports to utilise these.

Can rooftop PV improve electricity generation capacity in African cities?

Many studies suggest the high potential for widespread grid tied rooftop PV to improve electricity generation capacity in African cities and provide self-sufficiency for buildings , , . However, most of these studies are related to South Africa and Nigeria, with limited research elsewhere as presented in Table 2 below.

Are rooftop PV systems too expensive in Africa?

From a social and economic perspective, even with government supports, the initial cost of rooftop PV systems could be too much for most of the households in Africa. Private sector involvement allowing easier and affordable payment options for the end users can enhance dissemination.

Are rooftop solar panels good for the environment?

The benefits of clean electricity generation by the rooftop solar PV is well accepted. However, the emerging concern is the environmental impact during production of the solar panels (embodied carbon) and at the end of the solar panel’s life. Most of the solar panels used in Africa are imported from China.

Can rooftop solar PV cover a city's energy needs?

It was even more emphasised in the recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report . Studies have shown the potential of rooftop solar PV at city scale to cover most of a city’s electricity demands whilst utilising existing space , , , .

How long does a rooftop PV system last in Cairo?

An estimated payback period for a rooftop PV system in Cairo is over 20 years , which is mainly because of subsidised cheap electricity tariff from the national grid. As discussed in section 3.2, African governments may use renewable energy related policy tools to provide financial incentives to building owners to adopt rooftop PV.