The overwhelming response from the Solar Industry has encouraged Expogroup to launch Solar Africa Exhibition, to be held concurrently with P&E Africa.

The region offers tremendous opportunities to suppliers worldwide, having among the strongest solar resources in the world. In particular, the region offers excellent potential for concentrated solar power (CSP) and concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) systems.

Many African countries are currently exploring the use of solar and other renewables, using tenders (or PPAs) as the vehicle for expansion. As incentives in Europe decrease, project developers and investors are keenly interested in deploying solar technologies in Africa. Vast rural areas produce high demand for solar electrification.

Power grids in rural Africa currently tend to be powered by diesel generator sets often running 24 hours each day. While relatively cheap to buy, speedy to install and simple to use, these diesel generator sets burn a lot of fuel, push out CO2 and require a lot of refueling and maintenance. Rising diesel prices and environmental concerns are therefore driving grid operators to reconsider their offering and reduce emissions.