The Problem with Solar Energy in Africa

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Writer/Narrator: Brian McManus

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References
[10]

Select imagery/video supplied by Getty Images
Thank you to AP Archive for access to their archival footage.

Thank you to my patreon supporters: Adam Flohr, Henning Basma, Hank Green, William Leu, Tristan Edwards, Ian Dundore, John & Becki Johnston. Nevin Spoljaric, Jason Clark, Thomas Barth, Johnny MacDonald, Stephen Foland, Alfred Holzheu, Abdulrahman Abdulaziz Binghaith, Brent Higgins, Dexter Appleberry, Alex Pavek, Marko Hirsch, Mikkel Johansen, Hibiyi Mori. Viktor Józsa, Ron Hochsprung

[ragedorder]

150 million * 592 is a bit more than 8.9 billion $

[tronicit]

I’m in Australia and there’s a big factor that you’ve missed. Ironically, panels don’t work as well in extreme heat. Sun light = good, extreme heat = bad.

[martinwulf]

If only there was a magic rock, that when you put it closer to other magic rocks, it got really hot, and stayed that way for a long time.

[rippenburn]

I was involved with solar in the UAE and sand was a major problem because the panels become ever so slightly damp with condensation in the morning and coated with a fine layer that had to be washed off. I seem to remember the efficiency dropped by up to 80%. It's the same problem with cars left out overnight. We were even looking at automated rinsing systems. It was a decade ago and I don't know if they solved the problem.

[MAGAeminem]

The Problem with Solar Energy in Africa < *The Problem with Exporting the Electricity Produced Outside of Africa*

[garfield]

10:33 That is the happiest looking meter I have ever seen.

[JohnLeeCaskey]

Beyond the technical and scientific issues, there's also the problem of energy dependence. Giving another country control over your power is insane.

[Geckuno]

It's funny the first "problem" you mention is "How do we transform this to Europe?"

[zahariburgess]

I live in Kenya and solar here is incredible since there is no true "winter", its only sunny and rainy season so there is not less sunlight or less sun hours around the year

[timobracht]

Dear Real Engineering Team,
there has been some confusion with Desertec and other organisations. As a director of the Desertec Foundation I hope to start a productive discussion about the Pros and Cons of the concept. Some information presented is outdated (for example the water issue has been solved with newer plants).

I send you a mail with some further information.

If you are interested, I can try to organise a visit to a more sophisticated plant. Then you can see the solutions in real life!

[bananaana]

In China they use solar panels in the desert along with planting small plants under the solar panel to fight against desertification. One woman who won the noble peace prize over a decade ago was a Chinese woman living in the desert with her husband. She and many others have found methods to plant in the desert. I'm hoping that with the amount of incredibly skilled and talented innovative brains in this world, can come up with a solution for a greener planet. We may not see them but they exist and are working very hard for a better future.

[psedach]

We recently did a short school project on Nigeria and ~40% of their population is off their grid/doesn't get reliable electricity. Using local solar they can support their people without heavily investing in grid infrastructure. Solar is a win internally in Africa.

[cmilkau]

"watt hours per day" is an ingenious way to unambiguously express the average output despite its varying over the day.

[marvellousmhangwana]

The tittle is misleading. It should rather say "The problem with generating electricity in Africa to benefit Europe"

[Super_Citizen_Paimon]

Nuclear power: "Look what they have to do to mimic a _fraction_ of my power."

[cheesenoodles]

I have watched the desert dwellers work with solar panels. Deserts equal dust and sand. We are not there yet. Small set ups that are easily cleaned and maintained by the direct user seem to be a good option.

[isacc]

*Nuclear talking to Fusion*: “look what they need to do to mimic a fraction of our power“

[CreatorHouseVlogs]

How about keeping energy from Africa in Africa

[ion]

The Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project, as it's known, will cover an area of around 579 square miles (1, 500 square kilometers) in Morocco and will be connected exclusively to the UK via 2, 361 miles (3, 800 km) of HVDC subsea cables. 27 Sep 2021.

[LeftJoystick]

As someone who grew up in West Africa, it will come down government officials and how honest they are. Corruption even in the countries that are doing well (Ghana for example) is still present. Ask any Ghanaian about ECG (the Electricity Company of Ghana…also known as “Electricity Come and Go”).