Huawei Digital Power Kenya has released a report on the top ten trends that are expected to drive the growth of the solar energy industry in the near future.
The report, titled “Smart PV Top 10 Trends,” was presented during the Huawei Digital Power Partner Summit held in Nairobi.
According to the report, solar power is projected to account for a significant portion of the electricity consumed in the foreseeable future, with estimates suggesting that it could constitute half of the total amount of electricity consumed.
It also highlights that solar energy is expected to replace fossil fuels like coal and heavy fuel oil in power generation by the year 2050.
Victor Koyier, Huawei Vice President for Southern Africa Digital Power Smart PV, emphasized the exponential growth in the demand for solar energy globally, including the African continent and Kenya.
He noted that demand for solar energy in Kenya was already 20% higher in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period last year.
The report identifies several factors contributing to the growth of solar energy, including progressive government policies and advancements in technology.
It highlights the importance of energy storage packs and the ability of solar equipment to withstand hostile environments.
Establishment of solar farms that contribute electricity to national or local grids is also mentioned as a significant development.
The report further discusses the integration of new technologies such as 5G, IoT, cloud computing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into solar installations.
These technologies are expected to provide real-time intelligence, facilitate collaboration with other equipment, and enable efficient data reporting and analysis.
AI, in particular, is expected to play a role in quality control, equipment allocation, and battery technology, providing warnings regarding battery issues.
Additionally, the report emphasizes the need for equipment security in the solar industry, with a focus on digital signatures, protection against external attacks, and central management of digital certificates.
Overall, the report suggests that solar energy will continue to experience significant growth, driven by technological advancements, supportive government policies, and increasing demand for renewable energy sources.