Angola-China Solar Manufacturing Partnership

Key Figures & Findings: In a significant step toward clean energy, Angola's state-owned National Petroleum Company, Sonangol, has signed an agreement with Chinese firm Qinghai Lihao Clean Energy, a company specializing in producing and selling semiconductor materials to build a polysilicon plant. This project is intended to produce critical solar panel materials and uses local quartz ore to produce metallurgical silicon and PV-grade polysilicon. Lihao aims to bring its expertise to Angola to create an entire solar PV industry chain.  Wang Fu, Chairman of Lihao, highlighted that this project will be the first of its kind in Angola, providing the country with its own solar panel manufacturing capabilities “within a few years.

Statistics & Insights: The project will tap into Angola’s quartz reserves to support a projected production capacity of 180,000 tons of metallurgical silicon and 150,000 tons of polysilicon per year. Lihao currently operates 150,000 tons of high-purity polysilicon capacity in China, reflecting its robust production expertise.

Future Implications: Should the project proceed as planned, Angola could become a regional hub for solar manufacturing, reducing dependency on imported solar materials. This could also attract more clean energy investments across Africa, supporting the continent’s shift toward sustainable energy sources.

Source: PV Tech