Using Namibia's potential for solar energyIn Namibia, the sun shines an average of 10 hours a day – it is one of the sunniest countries on earth and therefore has enormous potential for solar energy. However, the country imports 60 percent of its electricity from neighbouring countries and 40 percent of the rural population has no access to electricity at all. In northern Namibia, a ten-hectare solar energy farm produces 9,350 MWh of energy per year.
Producing power since July 2018, it was developed with the support of ClimatePartner. The project contributes to increasing the share of renewable energies in Namibia's electricity mix to increase and improve the national and regional power supply.
How does solar energy contribute to climate action?Although the development of renewable energy sources is increasing, energy from fossil fuels is still a significant part of energy production worldwide. This is associated with the release of large amounts of carbon emissions. The use of solar energy is a good way to provide people around the world with renewable energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Solar installations, implemented through solar projects, convert sunlight into electricity (photovoltaic) or heat (solar thermal). Even when the sky is cloudy, the solar thermal power plants generate heat and convert it into electricity. Photovoltaic projects use the photoelectric effect to convert sunlight into electricity.
The energy produced is typically fed into the national or regional power grid, reducing the share of fossil fuels in the electricity mix. In addition to reducing carbon emissions, solar projects also prevent the release of various pollutants associated with conventional power generation. Solar energy projects in the ClimatePartner portfolio are registered with international standards.
