INSIGHTS INTO THE SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC MANUFACTURING VALUE CHAIN IN SOUTH AFRICA

The document outlines the current state of South Africa's solar PV market, noting that while the Integrated Resource Plan targets 10% solar PV generation by 2030, local manufacturing remains limited. It identifies specific opportunities across the value chain—from mineral extraction of chromium and manganese to the assembly of modules and inverters—and recommends policy certainty, concessional finance, and skills development to foster a domestic industry.

• South Africa's current solar PV market is characterized by limited local manufacturing and a cautious approach from small firms regarding the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) due to unstable requirements. There is a stated requirement for policy certainty and sustainable demand to encourage local participation.
• The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) targets a solar PV electricity generation mix of 10% (8,288 MW) by 2030. As of December 2021, the REIPPPP had allocated 2,292 MW to solar PV, with 2,212 MW of active capacity across 42 operational projects. Additionally, small-scale embedded generation (SSEG) is projected to add 4,000 MW between 2023 and 2030, and 1,077 MW of solar PV capacity was registered with the National Energy Regulator of SA between August 2021 and September 2022.
• South Africa possesses significant potential for growth in the raw materials stage of the value chain, specifically as the world leader in chromium and manganese reserves. While silica and silver are mined locally, they do not currently support large industries. The copper industry is hindered by challenges regarding scrap exports.
• Opportunities for local industrial development exist in the assembly and maintenance phases: two firms currently manufacture crystalline silicon panels using imports, and some local capabilities exist for mounting frames. Most large centralised inverters are imported. The SSEG market, with over 300 installation firms, is identified as a significant area for job creation, provided there is professionalization and training.
• The document recommends four primary actions to support local growth: establishing a laboratory for EU standards certifications and inverter testing, providing concessional finance and guarantees to small engineering businesses, investing in skills development for technicians and electricians, and expanding local manufacturing of modules and inverters.
• South Africa has the potential to become a regional hub for the reuse and recycling of solar components, noting that up to 93% of panel content can be recycled.

APA

Rivett-Carnac, K. (2022). INSIGHTS INTO THE SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC MANUFACTURING VALUE CHAIN IN SOUTH AFRICA. WWF South Africa. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/solar_pv_value_chain_factsheet.pdf

Chicago

Rivett-Carnac, Kate. INSIGHTS INTO THE SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC MANUFACTURING VALUE CHAIN IN SOUTH AFRICA. WWF South Africa, 2022. https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/solar_pv_value_chain_factsheet.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Rivett-Carnac |first1=Kate |title=INSIGHTS INTO THE SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC MANUFACTURING VALUE CHAIN IN SOUTH AFRICA |publisher=WWF South Africa |date=August 2022 |url=https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/solar_pv_value_chain_factsheet.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rivettcarnac2022insights, author = {Rivett-Carnac, Kate}, title = {{INSIGHTS INTO THE SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC MANUFACTURING VALUE CHAIN IN SOUTH AFRICA}}, institution = {WWF South Africa}, year = {2022}, month = aug, url = {https://wwfafrica.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/solar_pv_value_chain_factsheet.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }