Cape Town – The recent Solar Africa Conference held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre brought together industry experts, government officials and key stakeholders to discuss the energy crisis plaguing the continent.
The conference, held in March 2025, also proposed innovative energy solutions to help strengthen the energy security of South Africa.
Sungrow, a global leader in PV inverters and energy storage systems (ESS), took part in a solar-powered Africa panel discussion entitled “Solar and Storage: Unlocking the Future of Battery Storage Technology and the Future of Solar Energy.”
This session highlighted the key role of solar and energy storage in supporting Africa's energy transition to enhanced energy security and sustainability.
Promotes energy storage innovation
Prinaven Naidoo, senior account manager for Utility PV & Bess at Sungrow Southern Africa, highlighted the importance of technological advancements in advancing the energy sector.
“Our latest upgrades, including the move from the 280AH to the 314AH battery model and the transition from air-cooled to flow-cooled containers, have significantly improved both the efficiency and affordability of our energy storage systems,” explained Naidoo.
“This innovation allows for the integration of a 5mWh battery into a 20-foot container, significantly reducing end-user costs.”
As demand for reliable energy sources increases, the impact of energy storage on grid stability will continue to be a focus.
As part of its commitment to address these challenges, SunGrow has developed advanced grid formation techniques in its Power Conversion System (PCS), enabling the stabilization of weaker grids.
“Our technology increases the resilience of the grid by supporting both high and low voltage ride-throughs, thereby contributing to a more reliable energy distribution,” Naidoo said.
Trends in emerging markets
The South African solar and energy storage market is evolving, and many projects want to integrate energy storage systems to take advantage of excess solar generation.
Sungrow is uniquely set up to take advantage of this trend by providing solutions tailored to residential, commercial industry (C&I) and utility scale applications.
The company's cutting-edge liquefied energy storage solutions are specifically designed for areas with high ambient temperatures, ensuring optimal performance and long lifespan of lithium cells in challenging environments.
Future collaboration and local engagement
Following the Solar Africa Conference, Sungrow is keen to expand its partnerships with distributors such as Herholdt's Group and ARB for commercial and residential products.
Its nationwide roadshow reflects the company's dedication to engaging with local markets. It also requires collaboration with EPC or IPP to deliver solutions in Africa.
In summary, Sanglow remains committed to guiding a transformation into a sustainable energy future for South Africa and the wider African continent.
By introducing innovative solar and energy storage technologies and deepening collaboration, SunGrow is hoping to solidify its position as a key player in the ongoing energy transition.
About the daytime gro
Sungrow, a global leader in renewable energy technologies, has pioneered Sustainable Power Solutions for over 28 years.
As of December 2024, Sungrow has installed 740 GW of power converters around the world.
The company is recognized as the world's number one PV inverter shipment (S&P Global Commodity Insights) and the world's most bankable energy storage company (Bloombergnef).
Its innovation is a power clean energy project in over 180 countries and is supported by a network of 520 service outlets that ensure excellent customer experience.
At Sungrow, we are committed to bridging a sustainable future through cutting-edge technology and unparalleled services.
For more information about Sungrow's innovation and initiatives, visit https://sa.sungrowpower.com/.
