South Africa's total solar PV capacity surged to 8.97 GW this year, which includes 2.8 GW from public procurement and 6.1 GW from private-sector contributions, 11.9% higher than in 2023.

A further 375 MW of capacity is scheduled to come online in 2025.

By October this year, South Africa had added 961 MW of private-sector solar PV capacity, demonstrating the sector's resilience despite challenges. With almost 500 MW of utility-scale projects under construction, the future of solar in South Africa looks promising, said industry organisation the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) CEO Dr Rethabile Melamu.

“SAPVIA predicts significant developments in the energy storage sector, with growing interest in solar-plus-storage systems to address intermittency issues,” she said.

Microgrids will become increasingly popular, particularly in rural and remote areas where grid access remains limited. The adoption of rooftop solar for residential and commercial buildings will continue to grow as electricity prices rise and consumers seek ways to reduce dependence on the grid.

However, various obstacles also arose in 2024. Regulatory delays, grid connection backlogs and limited financing options for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) posed significant hurdles, Melamu said.

“SAPVIA is collaborating with stakeholders to develop a comprehensive grid upgrade plan that includes smart grids and energy storage integration to support renewable energy expansion.

“We also launched a financing access initiative to connect SMEs with funding opportunities and foster partnerships with larger companies to share resources and expertise,” she added.

Further, the solar industry has become a significant economic driver by creating jobs and spearheading skills development initiatives, such as SAPVIA’s partnership with the National Business Initiative and financial services firm Absa, which trained 100 installation companies to meet growing demand.

Solar PV systems supplied 5.2 TWh of energy, displacing about 4 260 tons of CO₂ in 2024.

“Solar energy is about powering homes and businesses and shaping a sustainable future for all South Africans.

“SAPVIA remains committed to driving this vision to ensure that every South African has access to affordable, reliable and clean energy,” Melamu said.