Jinko Solar puts AEF on the strategic importance of Africa

Ahead of the opening of the African Energy Forum (aef) in Barcelona, ​​Spain on June 25-28, representatives of sponsor Jinko Solar spoke to African Review to describe why the continent is an important growth avenue for the company and what obstacles still stand in the way of wider adoption of photovoltaic and battery solutions

African Review (AR): How important are the opportunities offered by African solar and batteries to your business, especially in light of the growing emphasis on off-grid supply?

Titus Koech (TK), Jinko Solar Senior Technical Services Manager – Sub-Saharan Africa: For Jinko Solar, a leading global manufacturer of Tier 1 photovoltaic modules and energy storage, African solar and battery opportunities are of great strategic importance, especially as the focus on off-grid supply in the region increases. Here are some of the reasons:

Market development: Africa represents a vast and largely untapped market for solar energy solutions, especially in regions that lack traditional grid infrastructure. As population and energy demand continues to grow on the continent, demand for off-grid and decentralized power solutions is growing, making it a key market for Jinko Solar’s solar modules and battery energy storage (BESS) solutions.

Offline Focus: With many rural areas in Africa lacking access to reliable electricity, there is a strong push for off-grid solutions such as solar home systems, mini-grids and stand-alone solar installations. Jinko Solar’s experience in manufacturing high-quality solar panels and ability to integrate battery energy storage solutions allows the company to meet the demand for off-grid power solutions in Africa.

Sustainable Development Goals: Many African countries are increasingly turning to renewable energy sources to meet their sustainability goals and reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. Jinko Solar’s solar panels and battery energy storage solutions offer a clean and sustainable energy alternative that meets African countries’ renewable energy ambitions.

Economic development: Investment in solar energy infrastructure in Africa not only helps address energy poverty, but also contributes to economic development by creating jobs, supporting local manufacturing and assembly capacity, and attracting investment in the renewable energy sector. Jinko Solar’s presence and investments in the region can spur economic growth and support local communities.

Our portfolio currently includes liquid or air-cooled SUNGIGA and SUNTERA microgrid solutions suitable for off-grid applications in the region. Solutions with power ranging from 3 kW to 2 MW are also available, with the possibility of expansion to hundreds of megawatts.

Jinko Solar offers multiple battery energy storage solutions for off-grid applications. In 2023, Jinko Solar has delivered approximately 100 mini-grid solutions to various projects in Africa. In the same year, the company also provided thousands of residential battery energy storage solutions to various households in the region.

Jinko’s first BESS solar project was in Africa, hence we have deep connections with Africa as a region and usually have Africa in mind when making key R&D decisions. In 2024, Jinko expects to deliver around 700 MWh of off-grid solar PV power in Africa and looks forward to gaining over 30% market share over the next few years.

AR: As solar and battery prices continue to decline, another barrier to widespread adoption is being removed. What remain challenges that may limit the scale-up of battery deployment, particularly in Africa?

TK: Despite falling prices for solar panels and batteries, several challenges remain remain that could limit the widespread use of solar batteries in Africa:

Initial capital investment: While prices are falling, the initial capital investment required to install solar panels and battery energy storage systems may still be too high for individuals and businesses in Africa, especially in lower-income regions.

Infrastructure and logistics: Africa faces infrastructure challenges such as inadequate roads and transport networks, which can increase the cost and difficulty of transporting batteries to remote areas. Additionally, the lack of appropriate installation and maintenance services can hinder the successful implementation of battery systems.

Technology and capacity building: Many African countries may lack the technical knowledge and capacity to design, install and maintain battery energy storage systems. This may limit the adoption of battery technologies as local communities may not have the knowledge and skills required to use these systems effectively.

Access to financing: Access to finance remains a significant barrier for many people and businesses in Africa. Without access to affordable financing options, even with falling prices, the upfront costs of solar panels and battery energy storage systems (which represent at least 70% of the total project cost) may remain out of reach for many potential users.

Regulatory and policy framework: Inconsistent or inappropriate regulatory frameworks and policies related to renewable energy and battery storage may create uncertainty for investors and hinder the scale-up of battery deployment in Africa.

AR: How do you see the solution to these problems?

TK: To address these challenges and help scale up battery deployment in Africa, several strategies can be used:

Financial incentives: Governments and international organizations can provide financial incentives such as grants, subsidies and low-interest loans to make energy storage systems more affordable for consumers and businesses.

Capacity building: Investing in training programs and capacity-building initiatives to develop local expertise in the design, installation and maintenance of battery energy storage systems can help overcome technical barriers and create employment opportunities. Jinko Solar is currently conducting various training programs to ensure proper transfer of technical skills to technical experts in the region.

Public-private partnerships: Collaboration between governments, private sector entities and non-governmental organizations can help address infrastructure challenges and promote the adoption of battery technologies through joint investments and knowledge sharing.

Technological innovations: Continued investment in research and development to improve solar and battery technology and reduce costs could further reduce prices and increase the availability of battery storage systems in Africa. Over the past two years, leading photovoltaic module technologies such as TOPCON have played a key role in improving the performance of photovoltaic modules. Jinko Solar is currently collaborating with internal and external research laboratories to develop next-generation photovoltaic module technologies that will achieve breakthroughs in the photovoltaic module industry.

Policy Support: Governments can play a key role in creating supportive regulatory frameworks and policies that encourage the deployment of battery energy storage systems, such as feed-in tariffs, net metering systems and renewable energy targets.

Addressing these challenges and implementing appropriate strategies can be facilitated by scaling up battery deployment in Africa, unlocking the potential for greater energy access, reliability and sustainability across the continent.

AR: Can you describe the latest project the company has completed or is implementing on the continent?

Mohamad Saadi Al-Dweik – head of technical services and product management – ​​MENA: Jinko Solar has become a major player in the solar energy market in the Middle East and Africa, offering a wide range of solutions to meet various customer needs. We offer the most modern and cost-effective options to meet specific market requirements.

Jinko Solar is a leader in innovation in solar panel technology. As the world’s leading supplier of N-type technology, we continue to improve it year after year. In 2024, we introduced Metallization Enhancement (ME) technology, which reduces the aluminum content in silver paste. This improvement increases cell efficiency by 0.5% and increases the reliability of TOPCon cells.

While Africa has made significant progress in developing its renewable energy infrastructure, Jinko Solar sees enormous untapped potential on the continent. We see a thriving market in countries such as Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco and anticipate that even more markets will emerge as demand increases.

Jinko Solar is prepared to meet this growing demand by offering a comprehensive range of solar solutions. Our air and liquid cooled options are designed for a variety of applications and scenarios.