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A worker kneels by one of the solar cell panels
The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) says South Africa’s solar energy sector has grown significantly in recent years but is not delivering its full economic potential.
The association says continued reliance on imported high-value components, including solar panels and lithium batteries, is limiting local economic benefits.
SAPVIA is calling on government to introduce targeted incentives and adopt a cautious approach to import tariffs to support the development of a competitive local manufacturing sector.
Chief Executive Officer Rethabile Melamu says stronger policy direction is needed to unlock opportunities across the value chain.
Melamu says, “So, it’s critically important for us to capitalize on the economic benefits of a booming industry. As you are aware, uh, the solar industry has grown quite rapidly in the past five years. The catalyst has really been the crisis that we faced two, three years ago. And so, if we are to fully benefit, we need to, uh, explore job and economic opportunities that can be accrued across the entire value chain. Because the industry grew so rapidly, there hasn’t been sufficient time to build enough industrial capacity.”
The association says long-term policy certainty could position South Africa as a green manufacturing hub while supporting job creation in the renewable energy sector.
