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The rise in solar panel imports is a continent-wide phenomenon, with 20 countries setting new records in the 12 months to June 2025. Twenty-five countries imported at least 100 MW, up from 15 countries the previous year. If installed, the solar panels imported into Sierra Leone over the last 12 months would generate electricity equivalent to 61 percent of the country's total reported electricity generation in 2023.

India is building up its domestic solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing. With supportive policies, rising domestic demand, and a global push to diversify renewable energy supply chains away from dependence on China, India is working towards solar manufacturing autonomy.

However, buoyed by low-cost solar-powered water pumps—also known as photovoltaic water pumping systems—some innovative small-scale farmers in Zimbabwe are now able to irrigate their crops and eliminate the need for rain-fed agriculture. According to experts, the use of solar energy to power groundwater pumps by farmers in drought-ridden, off-grid regions in Africa and elsewhere has been heralded as potentially revolutionary.

Despite solar representing the cheapest form of electricity in Thailand since 2022, the roadblocks to solar having a substantial share of Thailand's energy matrix remain prevalent. This is particularly surprising because these solar projects, even when incorporated with batteries, represent a more economic alternative to thermal plants. A report from BloombergNEF found that a solar project with 4 hours of storage will be able to compete with existing thermal power plants this

Though South Africa's switch to renewable energy sources is the most advanced across sub-Saharan Africa in terms of grid expansion, power generation, and job creation, the country doesn't yet have a significant domestic industry that can meet the advancing needs for renewable energy, argues Tapiwa O'Brien Nhachi, consultant at the regional Institute Law and Development, and critic of how climate carbon credits mechanism in Africa. 

A recent study reveals that "floating solar photovoltaic systems are rapidly gaining traction due to their potential for higher energy yield and efficiency compared to conventional land-based solar photovoltaic systems.” The technology, studies have indicated, generates 0.6 percent to 4.4 percent more energy and exhibits efficiency improvements ranging from 0.1 percent to 4.45 percent over land-based solar power plants.

But with international financing for coal-fired thermal plants drying up, it remains to be seen whether the Zimbabwe government will shift investment towards solar energy. For now, it is boom time for rooftop solar systems. 

The combination of new technologies and new methods of financing has set the stage for microgrids to play a major role in decarbonization. The method of providing energy as a service, and therefore moving the upfront cost away from consumers, has shown significant popularity. The falling costs of both battery storage and solar technology have made microgrids a more attractive option, while reports from the DoE emphasize the role they can play in grid stability and resiliency.

With strong natural resources and a government that has passed significant legislation to encourage solar, utility-scale PV is poised for growth. However, in order to attract key international investment, the government must ensure stability and encourage long-term investment. By doing so, Colombia can continue to utilize its natural resources while shifting from its current hydropower reliance. A new energy matrix, with solar playing a much larger role, looks to be in the fu

Incorporating new renewable projects, especially solar, into the matrix can take advantage of Colombia's naturally high radiation, reduce reliance on hydropower in the overall energy matrix, and allow communities currently relying on diesel to switch to a more sustainable option.

Across the globe, rural areas struggle with grid interconnection and chronic energy instability, leading to widespread energy poverty....

In today's interconnected world, energy access and efficiency stand as central pillars for both socio-economic development and...