Solar energy generation vs. capacity in South Africa
South Africa: Solar energy generation vs. capacity was 18,560 terawatt-hours in 2025. β Volatile
Solar energy generation vs. capacity in South Africa, 1971β2025
Source: Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) β with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in terawatt-hours.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 18,560 terawatt-hours for solar energy generation vs. capacity in 2025. That is the highest value across all 55 years on record.
The figure is up 6.8% on the previous year and up 575.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, solar energy generation vs. capacity in South Africa peaked at 18,560 terawatt-hours in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0 terawatt-hours, in 1971.
South Africa ranks 20th of 79 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 9 |
| 1980s | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 1990s | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 0 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2000s | 16.26 terawatt-hours | 9.3 terawatt-hours | 23.3 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2010s | 2,097 terawatt-hours | 27.6 terawatt-hours | 4,882 terawatt-hours | 10 |
| 2020s | 11,977 terawatt-hours | 5,766 terawatt-hours | 18,560 terawatt-hours | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 17 Poland 23,689 terawatt-hours compare
- 18 Chile 20,862 terawatt-hours compare
- 19 United Kingdom 19,996 terawatt-hours compare
- 21 United Arab Emirates 18,204 terawatt-hours compare
- 22 Saudi Arabia 18,179 terawatt-hours compare
- 23 TaΓ―wan 15,975 terawatt-hours compare
More energy & mining data for South Africa
- Fuel imports 17.7% (2025)
- Ores and metals imports 2.5% (2025)
- Ores and metals exports 30.3% (2025)
- Gas production 0.6284 terawatt-hours (2024)
- Fossil fuel production per person, by fuel 9.82 kilowatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel 0.6284 terawatt-hours (2024)
- Gas production per person 9.82 kilowatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Fossil fuel production by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Gas production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is solar energy generation vs. capacity in South Africa?
- Solar energy generation vs. capacity in South Africa was 18,560 terawatt-hours in 2025, according to Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) β with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest solar energy generation vs. capacity recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 18,560 terawatt-hours in 2025.
- What is the lowest solar energy generation vs. capacity recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 terawatt-hours in 1971.
- How does South Africa rank for solar energy generation vs. capacity?
- South Africa ranks 20th out of 79 countries with data for 2025.
- Is solar energy generation vs. capacity rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 575.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Energy Institute - Statistical Review of World Energy (2026) β with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Solar energy generation vs. capacity. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV Β· JSON β 55 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Figures are based on gross generation and do not account for cross-border electricity supply.