Democratic Republic of Congo has an installed solar power capacity of approximately 25 MW. ⁶

While there is no specific data on the projected capacity to be installed, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has significant solar energy potential, estimated at 70 GW.  The government and the national utility company, Société Nationale d’Électricité (SNEL), aim to increase electricity access to over 32% of the population by 2030, focusing on developing additional energy supplies, primarily hydroelectric and solar.⁷

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Hydropower: The cost of hydropower is relatively low, ranging from $0.0108 to $0.0144 per kWh.

Solar Power: Solar power generation costs has an estimates of  $0.12 per kWh.

Wind Power: Wind power is slightly more expensive, with costs generally below $0.15 per kWh.

As of 2024, the electricity generation mix in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is of the following approximate percentages:²

Hydropower: 86%

Solar Power: 14%

The exact figure for the average daily availability of electricity from the national grid is not available, electricity in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is unreliable and insufficient to meet demand. Fewer than 20% of residents have access to electricity, with only about two million out of eighteen million households connected to the grid. Many rely on costly diesel generators or go without power, affecting both daily life and economic development. Frequent power outages disrupt business operations.⁴

As of 2024, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is actively expanding its solar energy capacity. While exact figures for residential solar panel installations are not available, significant efforts are being made to increase solar access. For example, Orange and Bboxx are connecting over 600 households to solar power and building 24 solar-powered mini-grids to supply electricity to 150,000 people by the end of the year.⁷

From publicly available records, it seems like there are around 6  installed and projected solar farms in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).¹⁰

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Due to the limited electricity grid in the DRC, there is significant potential for off-grid solar solutions. The DRC could become the first country where off-grid connections outnumber grid connections. However, the pico-solar sector is still in its early stages, with only a few companies.

Current Demand: As of 2020, the off-grid solar energy demand in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)  was estimated at 30,788.6 MWh..

Projected Demand: off-grid solar energy demand is expected to reach an approximate 85,819.1 MWh  by 2030 due to limited grid supply which has led to a high demand for off-grid solar solutions.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has significant potential for mini-grid connections, with an estimated 61 million people eligible for connection in the future. This represents an annual market value of $921 million. Additionally, 141 main population centers without grid access offer a theoretical mini-grid market of 10 million people, worth $153 million annually.

Current Demand ⁶: As of 2023, the installed capacity for on-grid solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was 25 MW.

Projected Demand ⁷¹²: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has significant potential for solar energy, with an estimated capacity of 70 GW. Major projects include a 1,000 MW solar power project, with the first phase covering 200 MW.

The average monthly salary of a solar industry worker is not readily available. However, as of November 25, 2023, the minimum wage in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is set at $2.47 USD per day, which amounts to $54.54 USD per month. This wage can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and the specific employer.¹³

The current population of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is approximately 110.7 million people.¹⁴

The overhead costs for solar panel production in DRC typically range from 20% to 25% of the total production cost.

Labor costs ¹³¹⁵

Minimum Wage: As of recent data, the minimum wage in the DRC is set at $2.47 USD per day.

Average Salary: The average monthly salary for workers in the DRC can range from $50 to $150 USD. This range can vary significantly based on the industry, with higher wages typically found in sectors like mining and international organizations.

Utilities

Industrial Electricity Prices : Approximately  $0.068 per kilowatt-hour.³

Energy Generation Costs: For solar companies generating their own power, the cost can be around $0.12 per kWh.⁹

Water cost: DRC’s industrial water costs vary by region, but precise pricing information is not publicly available.

Administrative Expenses costs associated with the management of the production process, including salaries of administrative staff, office supplies, and other general expenses, typically add up to a substantial part of the overhead.

Quality control expenses incurred to ensure the solar panels meet performance and safety standards, including testing and inspections.

Democratic Republic of Congo’s energy infrastructure is a comprehensive system that includes generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. Key data points about the infrastructure are as follows:

Total Installed Capacity ¹⁶:

• As of 2022, the total installed electricity capacity in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reached approximately 2,980.721 MW. This capacity is predominantly sourced from hydroelectric power, which accounts for about 2,901.6 MW (97.54%). The remaining capacity comes from diesel generators (75.6 MW, 2.35%) and solar power (3.5 MW, 0.11%).

Electricity Consumption ¹⁷:

• The DRC’s total electricity consumption is approximately 11.25 billion kWh per year1. This translates to an average of about 110 kWh per capita.

Electricity Access ¹⁸:

• Despite its vast energy potential, the Democratic Republic of Congo has one of the lowest electrification rates in Africa, with less than 10% of its population having access to electricity. In fact, it has the second-largest population without electricity in Africa, after Nigeria. However, mini-grids are emerging as a key solution, accounting for over half of all new electricity connections in the region

Clean Energy Transition ¹⁹:

• The DRC’s 2021-2023 National Sustainable Development Strategy includes plans to increase the use of renewables, particularly hydropower and solar energy, to improve energy access and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 21% by 2030.

Electricity Generation ¹¹:

• The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has vast hydroelectric potential, with 100 GW of capacity, but only 2.61 GW are currently installed. Due to aging infrastructure and poor maintenance, most existing hydro plants operate below 50% capacity. The Inga Falls area holds 40 GW of potential, with two operational dams (Inga 1 and 2) and a third (Inga 3) in development. Other existing hydro plants in DRC are mostly outdated and underperforming.

Electricity Distribution:

• The Democratic Republic of Congo’s state utility, SNEL, has only 500,000 registered connections, despite a much larger potential customer base. Many households connect to the grid informally, with estimates suggesting three to five unregistered households for every formal customer.
• SNEL’s service is plagued by:
• Intermittent electricity supply
• Poor energy infrastructure
• Frequent grid outages (over 75% of the time)
• Unmetered connections (95% of customers)
• This has led to prolonged power outages in major cities like Kisangani and Butembo, highlighting the need for significant investment in the country’s energy infrastructure.

Electricity Transmission:

• The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has a severely underdeveloped transmission network, consisting of three regional grids with only 5,510 km of high-voltage transmission lines. This limited infrastructure forces many households to rely on informal and often hazardous alternatives, such as:
• Shared generators
• Battery-powered flashlights
• Low-quality solar panels
• These alternatives are frequently expensive, unreliable, and even dangerous. In some urban areas, formal independent power producers (IPPs) and mining companies provide electricity, but many households remain without access to reliable power.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has several regulations and policies in place to support the production and deployment of solar panels ¹¹:

Importation Process, Duties, and Taxes: The DRC has specific regulations regarding the importation of solar panels and related equipment. These regulations include duties and taxes that companies must comply with to bring solar products into the country.

Quality Standards: The government has established quality standards for solar products to ensure that they meet certain performance and safety criteria. This helps in maintaining the reliability and efficiency of solar products.

Company Registration: Solar companies operating in the DRC must go through a registration process. This includes obtaining necessary licenses and permits to operate legally within the country.

E-Waste Regulations: There are regulations in place to manage the disposal and recycling of electronic waste, including solar panels. These regulations aim to minimize the environmental impact of solar panel disposal.

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) supports solar panel producers through various initiatives and partnerships aimed at boosting renewable energy production and infrastructure.

• Partnerships and Agreements ¹²: The DRC government collaborates with international organizations and private companies to develop large-scale solar projects. For example, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and SkyPower Global have signed a joint development agreement to implement a 1,000 MW solar power project.
• Concession Agreements ²⁰: The government has secured concession agreements with international companies to develop large-scale solar projects. These agreements often include capital grants and debt financing from development finance institutions.
• Support for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) ²¹: The government encourages the involvement of IPPs in the energy sector. Projects like the one in Kolwezi, developed by a consortium including IFC, Globeleq, and others, aim to increase solar power capacity and support economic activities.
• Tax Exemptions ²²: The government provides customs and tax exemptions for importing solar equipment and components.
• Value-Added Tax (VAT) Exemptions: Solar products are often exempt from VAT, reducing the overall cost for producers and consumers.
• Investment Incentives: The DRC has implemented various measures to attract foreign investment, including tax holidays and deductions on capital investments.
• Fonds Mwinda: This flagship subsidy program aims to provide financial support for solar projects and increase access to clean energy. The government has pledged to secure at least $50 million in additional funding for this program.
• Partnerships with Private Companies: The government has partnered with private companies like Bboxx to expand clean energy services across the country. These partnerships often come with financial support and favorable operating conditions.

Installed Projects

Nuru’s Solar Hybrid Sites ²³: Nuru operates several solar hybrid sites which includes the installation of 1.3 MW site in Goma, the largest off-grid mini-grid in sub-Saharan Africa in 2017. In addition to these, Nuru has constructed two other solar hybrid sites in Beni and the Oriental Province, namely Tadu and Faradje.

Kinshasa Solar City ²⁴: Sun Plus has launched a 1,000 MWp solar PV project near Kinshasa. This project will involve multiple solar photovoltaic power plants around the capital.

• Location: Menkao, Maluku Commune, Tshangu District, Kinshasa, DR Congo.
• Capacity: 1,000 MWp
• Details: Phase 1 is still under construction.

Projected Projects

Amea Power solar farm (DR Congo) ²⁵:

• Location: Sankuru, DR Congo.
• Capacity: 100 MWp
• Status: Pre-construction

Hanergy solar farm ²⁶:

• Location: Sankuru, DR Congo.
• Capacity: 400 MWp
• Status: Announced

Kolwezi solar farm ²⁷:

• Location: Kolwezi, Lualaba, DR Congo..
• Capacity: 133 MWp
• Status: Pre-construction

Likasi solar farm ²⁸:

• Location: Haut-Lomami, DR Congo.
• Capacity: 133 MW
• Status: Announced

Green Giant Project: SkyPower Global, in partnership with the Africa Finance Corporation, is developing a 1,000 MW solar power project. The first phase, with a capacity of 200 MW, is set to begin construction soon.

Nuru: ²⁹

Nuru, which means “light” in Swahili, is dedicated to enhancing connectivity in the DRC. They deployed Congo’s first solar-based mini-grid in 2017 and have several solar hybrid sites, including the largest off-grid mini-grid in sub-Saharan Africa1.

Altech Group: ³⁰

Altech provides clean energy products and services, including solar home systems and solar lamps. They have a wide distribution network and aim to eliminate energy poverty in the DRC by 2030.

Mwinda Technologies: ³¹

This company offers bespoke solar home system (SHS) solutions to businesses, households, and individuals involving rooftop solar panels, a battery backup system, and a microgrid.

Globeleq: ³²

Globeleq is a prominent independent power producer in Africa with over two decades of experience. They excel in developing power projects from inception to completion, including sourcing, development, financing, commercial structuring, mergers and acquisitions, portfolio management, operations, maintenance, asset management, and engineering procurement and construction. Supported by their shareholders, Globeleq continues to expand by investing in existing assets and launching new utility-scale power projects across African nations.

Sodefor ¹¹:

a timber company operating in rural areas of the DRC for over 30 years, is also active in social projects, including health and education initiatives. Since February 2018, Sodefor has ventured into the solar energy sector, selling solar systems primarily to its 3,000 employees at cost. These employees then resell the systems with added margins. The company provides credit for the systems, with payments deducted from employees’ salaries. Sodefor sells approximately 500 solar systems annually.

Fense le Propre (FLP)

Established in 2013 through a partnership with a local company to build power plants, FLP has since expanded into selling solar home systems (SHSs) and installing larger household solar systems, including panels, inverters, and batteries. T

FLP provides installation and maintenance services, offers a 12-month warranty, and ensures proper disposal of batteries and waste materials through city council facilities. They focus on low-income households and telecommunications companies, primarily operating in Kinshasa due to lower purchasing power in rural areas.