How Decentralized Solar Power is Transforming Access to Electricity in Africa
10 min read
Access to remains very limited in Africa, and consumption on the continent is currently much lower than in the rest of the world. However, it is growing faster than the global average, thanks to . Solar energy is particularly prominent, with its unique ability to be used on a small scale in areas with little or no access to the electricity grid.
© SORDOILLET PATRICK - TotalEnergies - Decentralized solar power is changing people's lives in numerous households. Here, an ordinary solar panel recharges a lamp and a telephone.
Access to Electricity in Africa: A Major Development Challenge
Access to electricity in Africa varies greatly. From one region to another—West Africa, East Africa, or Southern Africa—levels of access vary significantly, depending on the history of electricity networks, political choices, and population distribution. Overall, electricity consumption on the continent remains lower than in other regions of the world.
However, according to the , average consumption in Africa is expected to grow by 5.2% between 2025 and 2027, which is higher than the global average (3.9%). This trend reflects both the growing needs of the population and the gradual development of energy infrastructure.
Renewable Energy, Driving Africa's Energy Transition
This growth is mainly driven by renewable energy. Among these, hydropower remains dominant (60%) but is steadily declining due to the increase in solar and wind production.
The growth of solar photovoltaics is expected to continue between 2025 and 2027, at an average annual growth rate of more than 25%.
In addition to this strong performance, solar photovoltaics has another key feature that is particularly relevant in the African context: its decentralized nature.
Why Decentralized Solar Power Meets the Needs of Areas With Little or No Access to the Electricity Grid
In the electrification of these territories, solar energy offers two considerable advantages: speed and decentralization. A solar farm can be deployed much more quickly than a gas-fired power plant. And above all, solar panels can be used outside an existing electricity distribution network.
In addition, over the last few years, the cost of producing solar electricity has fallen, storage batteries have become more efficient, and highly flexible payment systems have been made possible by the development of mobile phones. The new systems therefore require little investment and are very accessible to users. According to experts, the break-even point for decentralized solutions is reached when 4 or 5 km of connection lines need to be built. However, networks and centralized electricity production remain essential for supplying industries and large urban areas.
Mini Solar Networks (Mini Grids)
Several systems exist for decentralizing electricity. First, there are mini grids. These are very small solar power plants, around 500 kW, which supply a series of batteries that store electricity. There are two possible solutions:
- either run lines between this mini-power plant and a group of homes;
- or set up a system of “swappable” batteries that users bring back to the station when they are empty to exchange them for a full battery, similar to what is done worldwide for gas cylinders.
Battery efficiency is essential in these systems. Today, batteries account for 30 to 40% of the overall cost. Substantial progress in developing more efficient, smaller batteries would make it possible to move towards fully autonomous installations where each household would have its own battery, without depending on the existing system.
These systems are easy to install and maintain, and African industries could eventually produce the necessary components.
Solar Kits Independent from the Grid
Where minigrids are not feasible due to size or cost constraints, “kits” can be used. Consisting of a single panel of varying size, they can power either a single lamp or sockets that can be used to connect several light bulbs or small devices such as cell phones. Until a few years ago, recharging meant periodically traveling to a distant center with a charging outlet. Solar power in peri-urban areas: a useful complement to existing networks
Obvious in rural areas, the use of decentralized systems is also possible in peri-urban areas, where it can supplement the public grid supply. The relatively high cost of electricity subscriptions often leads families to reduce their electricity use to the main room and to very short time slots. The addition of solar power often makes it possible to double or triple the lighting in the home.
Source:
This may interest you
See all
