South Africa's George Airport has become the first on the continent to be powered by solar energy.
South Africa's George Airport has become the first on the continent to be powered by solar energy.
Courtesy George Airport
Thanks to a new solar plant on its grounds, George will harness 41% of its energy needs from the Sun.
Thanks to a new solar plant on its grounds, George will harness 41% of its energy needs from the Sun.
Courtesy George Airport
The newly-opened facility has 3,000 photovoltaic modules, and will gradually increase capacity to deliver 750Kw power when it reaches full production.
The newly-opened facility has 3,000 photovoltaic modules, and will gradually increase capacity to deliver 750Kw power when it reaches full production.
The George Airport is the latest in the string of large investments in alternative energy across Africa. Morocco's Noor Ouarzazate complex will be the world's largest solar concentrated plant when completed. It could produce enough energy to power over one million homes by 2018.
The George Airport is the latest in the string of large investments in alternative energy across Africa. Morocco's Noor Ouarzazate complex will be the world's largest solar concentrated plant when completed. It could produce enough energy to power over one million homes by 2018.
Jon Jensen/CNN
The construction of the plant cost $765 million and is expected to have a capacity to generate 160 MW.
The construction of the plant cost $765 million and is expected to have a capacity to generate 160 MW.
FADEL SENNA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Rwanda's new solar plant was in full production only a year after the agreement to construct it was signed. The Africa-shaped solar field has 28,360 photovoltaic panels, and has <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgigawattglobal.com%2Fprojects%2Frwanda%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">increased the country's generation capacity by 6%</a>.
Rwanda's new solar plant was in full production only a year after the agreement to construct it was signed. The Africa-shaped solar field has 28,360 photovoltaic panels, and has increased the country's generation capacity by 6%.
Courtesy Gigawatt Global
The $23.7 million project was financed by an international consortium of partners and <br />supported by Power Africa, U.S. president Barack Obama's initiative to increase access to electricity on the continent.
The $23.7 million project was financed by an international consortium of partners and
supported by Power Africa, U.S. president Barack Obama's initiative to increase access to electricity on the continent.
Courtesy Gigawatt Global
Ugandan company Kiira Motors Corporation has <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2016%2F02%2F15%2Fafrica%2Fafrica-solar-bus-kiira-uganda%2Findex.html" target="_blank">launched</a> Africa's first solar powered bus-- and plans to expand the country's solar vehicle industry
Ugandan company Kiira Motors Corporation has launched Africa's first solar powered bus-- and plans to expand the country's solar vehicle industry
Kiira Motors Corporation
The bus features two battery bulbs, with one connected to solar panels on the roof to provide firepower for the electric motor. The second bulb is available for charging.
The bus features two battery bulbs, with one connected to solar panels on the roof to provide firepower for the electric motor. The second bulb is available for charging.
Kiira Motors Corporation