THE AFRICA TIMES | TANZANIA — Solar power systems across Sub-Saharan Africa are experiencing significant efficiency losses due to extreme heat, heavy dust accumulation, and insufficient regulatory support, according to a new scientific review. These findings raise concerns over the reliability of a critical clean energy solution in the region.
Efficiency Challenges Under Harsh Conditions
The study, published in Discover Sustainability, reveals that photovoltaic (PV) modules operating in Africa’s demanding environmental conditions can lose up to 20% of their efficiency as temperatures rise. Additionally, dust build-up may reduce electricity generation by as much as 50% in inadequately maintained installations.
Researchers from Tanzania’s Arusha Technical College and the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology emphasize the urgent need for solar technologies specially adapted to African climates. This adaptation is increasingly necessary as governments seek renewable solutions to address chronic electricity shortages.
