Chinese solar is powering Africa, NYT reports

Anyone who has been to South Africa knows that power cuts have long been part of daily life. That, however, is changing fast, according to a report by The New York Times.

From homes and clinics to factories, mines and shopping malls, affordable Chinese-made solar panels and batteries have driven a rapid expansion of solar use. Solar capacity has risen from almost nothing in 2019 to about 10% of South Africa's electricity supply, easing reliance on coal and reshaping local economies.

Similar shifts are unfolding across Africa, as Chinese solar helps businesses and communities gain more reliable power, the report notes.