Businesses turn to Chinese solar tech to sidestep unreliable grids

The article reports that imports of Chinese solar equipment to Africa rose 50% in the first 10 months of 2025 as households and small businesses adopt off-grid systems to avoid unreliable national power supplies.

Households and small businesses in parts of Africa are increasingly using affordable solar equipment imported from China to reduce dependence on unstable national grids. This change comes as demand grows and many grids show strain from aging infrastructure or overloaded systems. The article cites a 50% rise in solar imports from China in the first 10 months of 2025, with much of that equipment purchased by private citizens rather than utilities. Local energy groups describe the trend as driven from the ground up. Key facts: - The article reports solar imports from China rose 50% in the first 10 months of 2025. - Much of the imported equipment was purchased by private citizens and small businesses rather than by municipalities or power companies. - Joel Nana of Sustainable Energy Africa described the shift as "a bottom-up movement" to sidestep longstanding problems with unreliable or expensive electricity. - The article notes that utilities are responding in some places; for example, South Africa's Eskom is building its own solar farms to stabilize the grid. Summary: The reported rise in Chinese solar imports is helping households and small businesses maintain power where national grids are unreliable. Some utilities are investing in solar capacity in response, and broader outcomes for supply and grid stability are undetermined at this time.