The second annual Solar Power Africa conference is set to engage on innovative, practical and tangible steps essential to deliver increased solar PV capacity to meet the country’s energy needs.

The theme of the conference is “Innovating under the African sun,” and promises to help translate innovative solutions for converting potential into tangible outcomes.

Taking place 8 to 10 February 2023, the conference and exhibition is curated to offer a highly interactive and engaging two and half days for stakeholders across the solar PV, the broader renewables and energy landscape. It is designed to explore strategies for energy security by unlocking the solar PV potential.

Solar Power Africa aims to create an environment that fosters the exchange of ideas, knowledge and expertise for furthering solar power and renewable energy development in Africa. 

Attendees at the Cape Town International Convention Centre will benefit from insights from a roster of leading international and local specialists as well as the opportunity to network and collaborate.

“Solar power has the potential to mitigate some of the debilitating effects of South Africa’s energy crisis. Government and industry are looking to capitalise on the ample solar resources that we are blessed with in this country, and Solar Power Africa is designed to facilitate the right conversations and inspire innovative solutions that will help us meet our energy needs. 

“We have designed a packed agenda with industry experts who will share insider knowledge and practical, tangible best practice on how best to deliver the transition with solar PV amongst other technologies. From capacity and capability building to enabling a just transition that fits South Africa’s needs, this is sure to be an inspiring 3 days for attendees from across the solar PV and storage value chain,” says Michael Dehn, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa.

Organised by Messe Frankfurt South Africa, in partnership with the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), Solar Power Africa 2023 is the first event of its kind in South Africa dedicated solely to Solar Power and Energy storage and is expected to attract over 100 exhibitors operating in this dynamic market. 

“South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan targets 8.3GW of solar PV in the country’s future energy generation mix by 2030. This, alongside the increasing number of corporate solar PV projects due to regulatory reforms that have removed licensing thresholds for embedded generation of any size, should catalyse deployment of PV projects,” says Dr Rethabile Melamu, SAPVIA CEO. 

“SAPVIA was formed to support the development of South Africa’s solar PV industry, advocating an enabling market and regulatory environment that would secure a sustainable solar powered future.

“We need to unleash solar PV generation capacity for an energy secure, resilient and sustainable future whilst ensuring that both the country’s climate commitments and national development objectives are achieved. Solar PV, combined with storage, has the potential to play a transformative role in this transition and through Solar Power Africa we hope to inspire, excite and facilitate the right connections and collaborations that will accelerate the adoption of solar power across Africa,” says Dr Melamu. 

The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) is a not-for-profit industry association serving the collective interests of its 540+ members across the PV value-chain spanning technical service providers, installer, EPC companies, financiers, developers, utilities and IPPs, for over a decade.