As of 2023, Senegal had a total installed solar power capacity of approximately 238 MW.⁶⁷

Integrated National Electrification Strategy: Under this strategy, Senegal plans to install an additional 538 MW of solar power capacity by 2025.⁸

The average cost of electricity ranges from $0.03 to $0.12 per kWh in Senegal. Detail is as follows:⁸⁹

• Hydropower Generation Cost: $0.04 to $0.06 per kWh
• Solar Tariff:  $0.05 to $0.08 per kWh
• Coal Generation Cost:  $0.10 to $0.12 per kWh
• Natural Gas Generation Cost:  $0.08 to $0.11 per kWh​
• Wind Farm Generation cost: $0.02 to $0.04 per kWh

As of the latest data, the energy mix in Senegal is as follows:⁸⁹

• Fossil Fuels (natural gas and coal): 80%
• Hydropower: 10%
• Solar: 3%
• Wind: 7%​

Urban areas in Senegal receive about 20-22 hours of electricity per day, while rural areas receive around 12-16 hours per day.¹⁰

As of now, Senegal does not have a widely available and specific count of residential solar panel installations. However, there are efforts underway to increase Senegals solar power adoption, driven by various programs and investments. „However, under the government-backed World Bank Scaling Solar program, 60 MW was added to Senegal’s solar power generation last year alone through solar.“¹⁴

Senegal’s efforts in developing solar energy have seen a substantial number of utility-scale solar projects. Currently, there are around ten major operational solar farms in the country. These include the Garissa Solar Project (55 MW), Malindi Solar Plant (52 MW), Alten Keesses (1) (52 MW), Kopere Solar Project (50 MW), Eldosol Solar Plant (48 MW), Radiant (50 MW), Rumuruti Solar Project (40 MW), Nakuru (Migitiyo) (40 MW), WITU (40 MW), and Makindu Solar Plant (33 MW). While these represent the most significant projects, there are additional smaller projects and ongoing developments that contribute to Senegal’s solar capacity expansionwhereas Senegal government estimates to install 2 more solar farms.³⁶

Current off-grid solar capacity is about 30 MW, with projections to reach 70 MW by 2030.⁷

Current on-grid solar capacity is around 200 MW, projected to exceed 400 MW by 2030.⁷

The average salary of workers in the solar industry is described below.¹⁵

• Electrical Engineer: $180 USD
• Electrician: $165 USD
• Design Engineering Manager: $240 USD
• Solar Energy System Installer: $143 USD
• Solar Energy / Solar Power Engineer: $173 USD
• Solar Installation Electrician: $380 USD

The population of Senegal is approximately 18,032,473 as of 2023.¹⁶

Determining the average overhead cost of solar panel production in Senegal involves several factors. These include the costs of raw materials, labor, utilities, and administrative expenses. Here’s a detailed breakdown based on available data:

• Raw Material Costs: The costs of essential materials like silicon, aluminum, and copper can significantly impact production expenses. These costs fluctuate based on global supply and demand.⁴
• Labor Costs: Labor expenses in Senegal are relatively lower compared to developed countries. The average labor cost for solar panel production can range from $1 to $3 per hour depending on the specific tasks and skill levels required.²⁰
• Utilities and Energy Costs: The cost of electricity is a crucial component due to the high energy consumption involved in producing solar panels.⁴
  • Electricity Rate: As per SENELEC’s (national electricity company of Senegal) current rate, the price of electricity for households in Senegal is 0.2223 USD/kWh. The electricity price for businesses is 0.3136 USD/kWh.
  • Water Charges: There is no single source that provides a definitive monthly water charge for industrial users in Senegal.
• Administrative and Facility Costs: These include expenses for facility maintenance, rent, equipment repairs, and administrative salaries. Facility maintenance and other overheads can add significantly to the overall cost structure.²¹
• In Senegal, accommodation costs vary by region. In the Dakar region, the average monthly rent for a room is approximately $55.83 USD. In other major cities across the country, the monthly rent decreases to about $33.33 USD per room. Outside these urban centers, in the rest of the country, accommodation costs further reduce to around $22.50 USD per month per room. These figures reflect the varying cost of living across different regions of Senegal, influenced by factors such as urbanization and local economic conditions.
• The average salary of workers in the solar industry is described below:¹⁵
  • Electrical Engineer: $180 USD
  • Electrician: $165 USD
  • Solar Installation Electrician: $380 USD  

The costs can vary significantly based on several factors such as:

• Location: This includes variables like labor costs and energy prices, which can differ widely from one region to another.
• Scale of Production: Larger-scale production often benefits from economies of scale, potentially reducing per-unit costs.
• Level of Automation: Higher levels of automation can lead to greater efficiency and lower labor costs, but may require higher initial investments.
• Type of Solar Panels Produced: Different types of solar panels (e.g., monocrystalline, polycrystalline, thin-film) have varying production costs due to differences in materials and manufacturing processes.

Overall, considering these factors, the average overhead costs for solar panel production in Senegal can be estimated.

• Overall Capacity: As of the end of 2023, Senegal’s total installed electricity production capacity stood at 1616.41 MW.⁶
• Renewable Energy: The clean energy mix comprised 459.7 MW, mainly from hydroelectricity, solar, and wind sources.
• Electricity Production Growth: There was an increase in electricity production from 4,814.54 GWhin 2020 to 5,167.47 GWh in 2021.
• Gas-to-Power Transition: With the gas-to-power strategy adopted in 2018, Senegal is preparing to utilize local gas from the GTA and Yakaar-Teranga projects, expected to start in 2024-2025.
• Reduction in Fuel Oil Usage: The arrival of gas is anticipated to significantly improve the energy mix, with a substantial reduction in the use of fuel oil for electricity production.
• Power Plant Conversion: Senelec’s power plants are being converted to operate on dual-fuel, allowing for the use of gas.
• Rural Electrification: The rural electrification rate reached 58%in 2023, with efforts revitalized after a slowdown in 2020 due to COVID-19.
• International Financing: Resource mobilization initiatives have led to financing commitments from the World Bank and the European Union.
• Renewable Energy Initiatives: The share of clean energy in Senegal’s mix is nearly 20.44%, positioning the country as a leader in the sub-region for renewable energy.
• Sustainable Projects: Noteworthy projects include the scaling up of the solar street light program, the installation of solar water heaters in health facilities, and the promotion of productive uses of renewable energies, such as solar motor pumps.

Senegal has the following regulations surrounding solar panel production:¹²

• Renewable Energy Law (2016): This law sets the framework for the development of renewable energy in Senegal and provides incentives for investors.
• Net Metering Regulations: Senegal’s net metering regulations allow households and businesses to generate their own electricity and export excess to the grid.
• Grid Connection Regulations: The country’s grid connection regulations ensure that renewable energy projects are connected to the grid and that the generated power is fed into the national grid.

Following are the regulation surrounding solar panel generation:¹¹¹²¹³

• Senegal Renewable Energy Fund (SREF): The Senegal Renewable Energy Fund (SREF) is a key component of Senegal’s strategy to increase the share of renewable energy in its electricity mix to 40% by 2030. This initiative is part of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) announced in June 2023, which aims to support Senegal’s energy access and decarbonization efforts.
• Duty and VAT Exemptions: Certain solar products are exempt from duty and VAT, making it easier for companies to invest in the sector.
• Feed-in Tariff (FIT) Scheme: Senegal’s FIT scheme provides a fixed price for electricity generated from renewable sources, making it more attractive for investors.
• Africa Renewable Energy Alliance (AREAS): AREAS is a platform that brings together African countries, including Senegal, to promote the development of renewable energy in Africa.

Notable Solar Projects in Senegal are:⁶¹³¹⁴

Senergy 2 SARL

• Installed Capacity: 20 MW
• Location: Bokhol (Saint Louis)

Solaria Kima Group

• Installed Capacity: 22 MW
• Location: Malicounda (Thiès)

Senergy PV SA

• Installed Capacity: 30 MW
• Location: Santhiou Mekhe (Thiès)

Ten Merina

• Installed Capacity: 29 MW
• Location: Merina Dakhar

Energy Ressources Senegal S.A

• Installed Capacity: 20 MW
• Location: Kahone (Kaolack)

INNOVENT Senegal S.A

• Installed Capacity: 20 MW
• Location: Sakal (Louga)

ENGI Meridien (Scaling Solar)

• Installed Capacity: 35 MW
• Location: Kahone (Kaolack)

ENGI Meridien (Scaling Solar)

• Installed Capacity: 25 MW
• Location: Kael (Touba)

Here are some notable solar projects that are projected:⁶¹⁷

Diass Solar Project (Extention):

• Capacity: 50 MW
• Location: Diass (Thiès)

Louis Solar Project (Extension):

• Capacity: 75 MW
• Location: Bokhol (Saint Louis)

Here’s a brief overview of the solar energy companies operating in Senegal:¹⁸¹⁹

• Bernasol: A solar system installer in Senegal, providing solutions with battery storage and installations exceeding 1MWp.
• Bonergie: Since 2010, Bonergie has been offering solar products for productive use, with a focus on income generation and battery storage options.
• Enco: A multinational firm headquartered in Dakar, Enco specializes in environmentally friendly energy solutions, including solar installations of over 1MWp.
• Énergie Solaire Senegal: This company offers a range of solar products and solutions with battery storage, catering to installations larger than 1MWp.
• FlexNRJ: Operating in Senegal, FlexNRJ provides smaller solar installations with battery storage, partnering with top solar panel and inverter suppliers.
• Hecto Energy: Specializing in smaller solar installations with battery storage, Hecto Energy serves the Senegalese market.