Solar PV sector provides many opportunities for South Africa, but there are challenges

The growth of the photovoltaic (PV or solar) sector worldwide has resulted in a current manufacturing overcapacity, which has driven down the prices of PV modules by almost 50%, solar PV distribution company Solarworld MD Gregor Küpper pointed out on Friday. He was addressing a media conference in Cape Town. Consequently, he cautioned against trying to create solar PV module manufacturing capability in South Africa. “I believe that it would be very difficult for South Africa to compete with China,” he said.