According to a new analysis of China's solar panel exports data from energy think tank Ember, solar panel imports into the continent jumped 60% in the 12 months through June 2025, setting a record that could reshape electricity systems in many countries. . South Africa is one country that is benefiting from a surge in solar panel imports from China. According to the New York Times, we are not talking about one solar panel that provides enough energy to power a small LED light at night or charge a cell phone. In that period, Africa imported 15,032. . Chinese solar equipment has been flooding African markets, partly as a ripple effect of the US-China trade war. It's one of several factors helping the continent gain traction with electrification. Solar power is widely recognized as an excellent solution for Africa. Sunlight is abundant, economies. . African solar energy use is surging, with Chinese-made panels a common sight across the continent, on rooftops and in the massive renewable energy plants being built in countries such as Algeria and South Africa by companies from China.