![Sample our Area Studies journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5922/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Area-Studies.jpg"})
Abstract
Africa has immense energy challenges, characterised by low rates of access to electricity, irregularities and a general shortage in electricity supply. Solar energy provides African governments with the opportunity to address these challenges. With an average quantity of five to six kilowatts of power from the sun per square metre per day, the continent has vast potential for producing energy from the sun. The moderate success that Kenya has achieved in its solar energy industry is commendable and provides a good platform for other countries aspiring to extend electrification to its population through solar energy. China's emerging capabilities in solar technology also offers the continent the opportunity to take decisive steps towards sustainable energy. The proposed partnership between China's Tianpu Xianxing Enterprise and Kenya's Electrogen Technologies to build a solar panel factory in Kenya is a positive step towards addressing energy challenges.
Notes
This paper is based on research undertaken as part of SAIIA's China in Africa programme.
1. UNECA, Citation2005.
2. CitationMandil, undated.
3. UNECA, Citation2008.
4. UNECA, Citation2008.
5. A position paper (Uyigue, Citation2008) developed by NGOs and other stakeholders for the International Conference on Renewable Energy in Africa, 16–18 April 2008, Dakar, Senegal.
6. A photovoltaic panel is made of silicon, which becomes charged electrically when subjected to sun light. When photons strike a photovoltaic cell, they may be reflected, pass right through, or be absorbed.
7. Hankins, Citation2006.
8. Duke, Jacobson and Kammen, Citation2002.
9. UNCTAD, Citation2007.
10. Alden, 2008.
11. Besada, Wang and Whalley, 2008.
12. Alden, 2008.
14. ‘China to maintain aid’, Citation2009.
15. Groenewald, Citation2008.
16. CitationMints, 2008.
17. Frost and Sullivan, Citation2008
18. Seager, Citation2008.
19. Seager, Citation2008.
20. Generate electricity using heat. Much like a magnifying glass, reflectors focus sunlight onto a fluid-filled vessel. The heat absorbed by the fluid is used to generate steam that drives a turbine to produce electricity.
21. Dorn, Citation2008.
22. Dorn, Citation2008.
23. Dorn, Citation2008.
24. Dorn, Citation2008.
25. Dorn, Citation2008.
26. Agence France-Presse, 2008.
27. Dorn, 2008.
28. Groenewald, 2008.
29. Cartillier, Citation2008.
30. Cartillier, Citation2008.
31. Dorn, 2008.
32. Standard unit of electricity equal to 1000 watts over one hour.
33. Kenya Ministry of Energy, Citation2004.
34. UNECA, Citation2005.
35. Jacobson and Kammen, Citation2007.
36. Jacobson and Kammen, Citation2007.
37. Information based on various interviews from private solar companies and the Ministry of Energy, conducted in August 2008.
38. Mutimba, Citation2005.
39. Interview with Mr Justus Mbithi, Renewable Energy Division, Ministry of Energy, August 2008.
40. A unit of energy corresponding to the output of 1 tonne of oil, used to express the energy production or consumption of a country.
41. Kenya Ministry of Energy, 2004.
42. Mutimba, Citation2005.
43. Interviews with Kenya Ministry of Energy officials, 11–12 August 2008.
44. Interview with Mr Charles Muchunku, Energy for Sustainable Development Africa, 11 August 2008.
45. Data in this paragraph from Kenya Ministry of Energy. Interview with Justus Mbithi, Renewable Energy Division, Ministry of Energy, Nairobi, 12 August 2008.
46. Interview with Mr Sailas Kitinya, Kenital Solar Energy, Nairobi, Kenya, 11 August 2008.
47. Interview with Mr Sailas Kitinya, Kenital Solar Energy, Nairobi, Kenya, 11 August 2008.
48. Interview with Mr Sailas Kitinya, Kenital Solar Energy, Nairobi, Kenya, 11 August 2008.
49. Interview with Mr Joel Imitira, Economic Regulation Department, Energy Regulatory Commission, August 2008.
50. Kenya Ministry of Energy, 2004.
51. Kenya Ministry of Energy, 2004.
52. The rate of delivery of solar radiation per unit of horizontal surface.
53. Interview with Mr Munyao, Executive Director, Electrogen Technologies, 12 August 2008.
54. Interview with Mr Munyao, Executive Director, Electrogen Technologies, 12 August 2008.
55. Barnes, Citation2007.
56. Tschang, Citation2007.
57. Financial Times, Citation2007.
58. Financial Times, Citation2007.
59. Interview with Mr Munyao, Executive Director, Electrogen Technologies, 12 August 2008.
60. Jacobson and Kammen, 2005.
61. Interview with Mr Joel Imitira, Economic Regulation Department, Energy Regulatory Commission, 11 August 2008.
62. Based on interviews with representatives from Sollateck, Solagen and Kenital Solar Power, 11–12 August 2008.
63. Interview with Mr Munyao, Executive Director, Electrogen Technologies, 12 August 2008.
64. World Bank, Citation2001.
65. Hankins, 2006.
66. Clark, Citation2008.