South African five-point plan to build 1.5GW of PV every year

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Credit: Droogfontein solar PV in South Africa.

A five-point Plan has been devised by the South African Photovoltaics Industry Association (SAPVIA) to support development, with a target of building 1.5GW of PV annually.

Davin Chown, SAPVIA chairperson, said that South Africa has an abundance of solar energy that is underexploited, cheaper than alternatives and can make significant environmental contributions.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The announcement appeals to the South African Government to actively partner with the solar industry and to assist with commitment and policy.

“There is a desperate need to reignite South Africa’s economic growth. This can only be done through constructive collaborative partnerships between all social partners, with the objective of delivering benefits to communities across South Africa,” Chown said.

It aims to create 55,000 job opportunities by 2025 and contribute to economic growth by adopting project ownership regimes such as large utility-scale projects and community-owned projects.

The plan includes creating IPPs and SMEs as well as promoting investment and funding specifically to support women, youth business and the creation of new black industrialists.

“It is also a free-fuel technology that can be deployed with relative ease all across South Africa and deliver benefits to economically distressed communities and areas where industries are closing down,” said Chown.

SAPVIA intends to launch a Solar Industry Development Plan in the next six months along with initiatives to enhance industrialisation in Renewable Energy Zones and to reach mining areas in decline.

Chown said that currently the sector is ready for the immediate roll-out of 1.5GW of projects in development and waiting for permission. 

The South African solar industry has been set back by controversy over the delayed signing of solar PPAs under its renewable energy procurement programme over the last year.

21 October 2025
New York, USA
Returning for its 12th edition, Solar and Storage Finance USA Summit remains the annual event where decision-makers at the forefront of solar and storage projects across the United States and capital converge. Featuring the most active solar and storage transactors, join us for a packed two-days of deal-making, learning and networking.

Read Next

July 30, 2025
The Government of Kyrgyzstan has signed two investment deals with Vietnamese firms Rox Energy Global and RECA LLC for the development of a 1.9GW solar project.
July 29, 2025
US renewables developer Savion, a subsidiary of global oil giant Shell, has formed a new company to take ownership of its solar projects after development.
July 29, 2025
US-based solar manufacturer T1 Energy has expressed support for the US government’s tariff investigations into global polysilicon imports and solar products from Laos, Indonesia and India.
July 28, 2025
Spanish energy firm Zelestra and Portuguese utility EDP have signed what they call the “first” solar-plus-storage power purchase agreement (PPA) in the Spanish renewables market.
July 28, 2025
French energy major TotalEnergies has begun the construction of its 1GW solar farm in the Basra region of southern Iraq. 
July 28, 2025
KKR has invested AU$500 million in Australia’s CleanPeak Energy to support the rollout of DERs such as rooftop solar PV and battery storage.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Media Partners, Solar Media Events
September 2, 2025
Mexico City, Mexico
Solar Media Events
September 16, 2025
Athens, Greece
Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK