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The Stellenbosch University team’s journey from Nairobi to Stellenbosch was a practical demonstration that locally made electric motorbikes, powered by solar energy, could work across African roads and real African conditions.

Africa’s electric motorbike future can be built locally and powered by solar — our 6000km ride shows what’s possible

For millions of people on the continent, motorcycles provide the most affordable and accessible form of transport, while also creating livelihoods for riders and small businesses

Saving supplies: Patrick Bam, an executive member of the SalTuba Cooperative, said being able to generate their own electricity has helped the community to avoid food loss and damages to appliances. Photo: Ihsaan Haffejee

People who own the sun

There is no official registry of socially owned renewable energy projects in South Africa, but research has identified more than 20 operating initiatives across the country

Virtual wheeling: The Selemela Solar Park in Lichtenburg, North West, generates and sells electricity to other parts of the country via a wheeling agreement. Pictured here is plant manager Tebogo Tong. Photo: Ihsaan Haffejee
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Beyond the Grid: Pinging power from farms to factories

Solar power moves virtually from farmland in North West to factories hundreds of kilometres away. How it works and what it means for the country’s energy transition

Green buildings, which have features such as solar power, grey water and rainwater harvesting, are essential to reduce global warming and lower owners’ costs. Photo: Supplied

Sustainable homes help build sustainable futures

We are in an era where the smartest investment decisions are those that align with environmental reality

An electric motorcycle, designed and built in Africa and powered by the sun, began its 6000km journey from Nairobi in Kenya to Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, on Sunday. (Supplied)

From Kenya to South Africa: A solar-powered electric motorcycle adventure

The expedition is about showing African ingenuity, says the team

Transition minerals are essential for many clean energy technologies and their associated infrastructure such as wind turbines, solar panels and electric vehicles.

Africa’s data centre market and digital transformation pathways

To realise its digital potential, Africa must focus on several practical steps like investment in renewable energy sources

Pay your electricity bill or have your power switched off. File photo

Eskom’s desperate measures: Emergency reserves strained as power shortages persist

The improved load-shedding situation over the past month have been aided by solar photovoltaic energy and lower demand

HEINEKEN steps up sustainability drive, moving to 65% returnable glass for beer portfolio in 2024

Along with the Star Bottle, the company will be opening Green Zones across the country

Strengthening the solar C&I power network through SAPVIA and Enlit Africa partnership  

SAPVIA has over a decade of experience and represents more than 700 companies in the solar PV space

Powering tomorrow: Sungrow unveils game-changing energy solution for SA

The state-of-the-art 3-phase hybrid system is designed to seamlessly power homes and businesses with clean energy

Hylton Kallner, CEO of Discovery Bank, with Rick Basson, Rubicon CEO.

Discovery Bank introduces 48-hour installation guarantee for solar and back-up power

By working closely with its partner Rubicon, the typical three-week installation period is dramatically shorter

File photo by David Harrison

South Africa’s solar panel rebate is missing the mark

To be successful, the tax incentive needs to be far greater and have more of a meaningful and immediate effect on pockets

Pay your electricity bill or have your power switched off. File photo

Practical steps to stop load-shedding and secure electricity security

SA is in a state of emergency regarding power supply and must act accordingly with quick and decisive interventions

Solar power installers are coining it, because when load shedding increases, so does the search for solar panels and solar panel purchases.
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VIDEO: Who is coining it from the Eskom bust?

Solar power installers are coining it, because when load shedding increases, so does the search for solar panels and solar panel purchases

There are environment-friendly interventions that will ensure that South Africa will have sufficient renewable power supply domestically as well as for export.  (Dwayne Senior/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The Eskom energy crisis is fixable — and in a shorter time than thought

Four environment-friendly interventions that will ensure that South Africa will have sufficient renewable power supply domestically as well as for export

Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe. (Masi Losi/Sowetan/Gallo Images)

Fossil subsidies take the bulk of finance needed for an inclusive renewable energy sector

Minerals and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe agrees that green energy is cost competitive and calls for equitable ownership in the sector

(Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)

Africa needs climate adaptation finance

With funding we can turn an existential code red into a prosperous code green

Power on: Koeberg nuclear station. The ANC Youth League has supported the development of nuclear energy, identifying it as “critical to advance massive industrial development”. Photo: Dwayne Senior/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The nuclear option: Should it carry South Africa’s baseload?

Some argue that nuclear power will get us to our clean energy goals faster, but other experts say it is unsafe, unaffordable and unnecessary

(Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Mines turn to solar power because of Eskom’s unreliable electricity supply

Mines turn to solar power because of Eskom’s unreliable coal-generated electricity supply

Is solar power the answer to Southern Africa’s energy crisis?

Africa’s favourable weather conditions means solar energy uptake could be accelerated with a few nudges in the right direction