Recommendations for solar power as the future of Africa’s energy resource

Solar power can be considered as the future of Africa’s energy resource, as it can help generate electricity to power up industries and houses. Every African country could benefit from the huge amounts of solar energy that hit the continent every day.

Solar power is no doubt an energy powerhouse that can help attain a meaningful and better living environment, especially in Africa’s climate. From street lights and household electricity to solar-powered public transportations, solar energy is truly a powerful and sustainable source of energy.

According to researchers, the average amount of solar energy per hour that is received by Earth is already enough to run the entire planet for a whole year. This means that it can really provide a good power supply to all African countries, even the smallest sectors of the community, the ease the lack of power access to some rural and poverty stricken areas.

African countries cannot heavily rely on non-renewable energy sources – such as oil, gas and coal derived from fossil fuels – because they are expensive and harmful to the environment. Development of solar energy should provide sustainable energy in the long run at a much cheaper and less harmful way than coals, gas and oil. Plus, Africa could become an energy independent region because international partners, who provide non-renewable energy options, would be lessened once they begin to develop projects related to solar power.

The push for solar powered sustainable energy

During the 1992 UN Earth Summit, different countries signed an agreement known as the Agenda 21, wherein every national government should address issues related to sustainable energy development. Accordingly, it prepares the nations from the possible energy problems that they may encounter in the future, one of which is the effects of global warming and greenhouse gas emissions. Through this joint effort, countries will focus on the roles and responsibilities of the national government in terms of sustainable energy development. Countries like Africa, where much of the solar power can be converted into sustainable energy, should be assisted in utilising solar power to increase their energy independency.

In the 1996 World Solar Summit that was held in Zimbabwe, there had been a deep focus on the topic of solar energy development as the future of the world’s sustainable energy resource. Various heads of state and government officials participated in the Summit and believed that solar energy is essential for the development of a country’s socio-economic, technological, and scientific progress. Developing countries, especially in the African region, should be given the necessary resources to identify ways to develop solar power source into a sustainable energy at the most reasonable cost. This can help meet the countries’ demands for energy supply and help minimise environmental degradation resulting from harmful greenhouse gas emissions. People living in the poorest sectors of the community, along with the local officials should be provided with sufficient education about how non-renewable energy should be conserved and how sustainable energy must be maximised. Through this effort, the lack of adequate power supply in the African region can be addressed and even be boosted at the highest possible level.