30kWh Photovoltaic Container Used in East African Catering Industry

What challenges do agrivoltaic systems face in East Africa?

Food, energy and water insecurity are concomitant challenges facing many communities in East Africa. Agrivoltaic systems – agriculture integrated with photovoltaic panels – address all three challenges, providing low carbon electricity, food production and water conservation on the same land area.

Does Africa have a solar PV market?

Silicon, a key input for the production of c-Si solar PV cells, is also found in Africa, albeit in smaller quantities compared to global leaders like China. Nonetheless, Africa’s mineral wealth represents a significant opportunity for the continent to leverage its natural resources to become a player in the global solar PV market.

Can agrivoltaic business models be used in East Africa?

Business models utilised for conventional PV in East Africa are a potential starting point for creating agrivoltaic business models, so could provide a basis for solar developers to explore new markets with farming communities and agribusiness.

Can agrivoltaic systems improve crop performance in East Africa?

Crop performance This study demonstrates the extent to which agrivoltaic systems can deliver food production, electricity generation and water conservation concomitantly in East Africa, providing evidence for the benefits of this technology in this region, and potentially for other semi-arid locations globally.