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

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

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

September 15, 2025
Norwegian energy firm Statkraft has agreed to divest a portion of its renewable energy portfolio to Serentica Renewables.
September 15, 2025
UNSW spin-out company Lab360 Solar has been awarded funding from ARENA to bring its drone-based PV inspection technology to market.
September 15, 2025
Vikram Solar has secured a contract to supply 200MW of modules to AB Energia, a domestic solar engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) solutions provider. 
September 12, 2025
Colombian energy supplier Celsia is seeking more than US$1.2 billion in investment to build wind and solar generation projects in Peru. 
September 12, 2025
ACME Venus Urja has secured INR3.8 billion (US$43 million) to develop and construct a solar-plus-storage project in Barmer, Rajasthan.
September 11, 2025
Founder Group has won a RM10 million (US$2.3 million) engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning contract for a 30MW solar plant in Malaysia.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

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
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines