As the world’s largest solar panel manufacturer by shipment volume, Jinko Solar is advancing its business footprint in Africa, focusing on the solar and energy storage markets.
Jinko Solar Vice President Qian Jing stated that over the past three years, the company has supplied 5.2 GW of solar panels and 100 MWh of energy storage systems to 45 African countries, capturing a 15% market share on the continent.
Qian noted that Jinko has been increasing its local presence by establishing subsidiaries in key markets such as Egypt, Kenya, Namibia, Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa—regions with ambitious energy transition goals and relatively stable political and financial environments. The abundant land resources and significant power shortages present immense solar potential for the African continent.
Analysts point out that Africa offers unique opportunities for solar developers but also faces challenges, including weak grid infrastructure, limited transportation networks, small project scales, and a lack of skilled labor. However, the emergence of low-cost solar panels creates favorable conditions for market development.
Nicholas Lua, a solar supply chain analyst at global consulting firm Rystad Energy, remarked that solar panels in sunny North Africa generate three times the electricity compared to Europe. North Africa accounts for one-fifth of Africa’s solar generation capacity and hosts some of the world’s largest solar facilities, such as Benban Solar in Egypt.
Lua also emphasized that South Africa represents a promising market, with a potential rooftop solar market size of 86GW. More businesses and households in South Africa are turning to solar to mitigate the frequent outages caused by grid failures.
Luo Zuoxian, an analyst at the China Petroleum and Chemical Economic and Development Research Institute, noted that the increasing presence of Chinese solar companies in Africa provides significant opportunities to expand China’s renewable energy footprint while showcasing its technological capabilities on the global stage. Successful project implementations will not only boost China’s renewable energy sector but also strengthen economic ties with African countries, fostering long-term strategic partnerships.
Jinko Solar has taken steps to address infrastructure challenges in Africa by exporting its products and technical expertise. In addition to providing high-efficiency TOPCon solar panels tailored for tropical climates, the company offers on-site and off-site training for local engineers to enhance their operation and maintenance skills for solar and energy storage systems.
A key project for Jinko Solar in Africa involves supplying 25 MW of N-type TOPCon panels for the first solar hydrogen project at the Oshvela Green Iron plant in Namibia. This facility will become Africa’s first commercial green iron production base, marking a milestone in the continent’s industrial green revolution. Jinko Solar has also signed a memorandum of understanding to secure orders for subsequent project phases, which may increase capacity by 1.8 GW.
By integrating solar energy with hydrogen production, Jinko Solar is helping Africa explore innovative clean energy solutions, enhancing the region’s global competitiveness.
Looking ahead, Qian Jing expressed the company’s intention to further expand its business in Africa over the next 5 to 10 years, deepening engagement in local markets and exploring new applications like solar desalination.
She stated, “Our long-term vision is to lead Africa’s energy transition by driving investment, innovation, and technology transfer. We are committed to playing a key role in realizing renewable energy and sustainable development in Africa through our established networks.”
