Brazzaville rooftop solar power generation system

How can South Africa achieve a successful solar rooftop PV market?

Successful financial methods may include 0 % interest loan schemes (community loan) supported by non-profits or government institutions, as implemented in South Africa. This stresses the need for comprehensive public–private partnership. A major challenge to the growing solar rooftop PV market is the e-waste disposal.

Is rooftop solar PV a viable option in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Due to the limited research in this field it’s difficult to come to a definite conclusion on the potential of the technology. For rooftop solar PV, the literature is plenty, albeit some countries in sub-Saharan Africa lack research in this field. For example, Somalia, Chad, Niger, Malawi among others.

What is building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV)?

In addition to rooftop solar PV, building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is another technology to connect solar energy generation to buildings. The application of BIPV has the advantage of being used as a functional building element (such as a roof tile or wall) as well as an energy harvesting component.

What are the benefits of rooftop solar PV?

Furthermore, rooftop solar PV can offer the benefit of allowing homes to be energy self-sufficient and independent from the grid, even in the case of frequent power outage form the weak or poor grids. Residential buildings with rooftop PV systems integrated with energy storage are more resilient to utility grid outage.