Mergence invests $3.3mn to support Solarise Africa’s solar growth

Solarise Africa secures $3.3mn in financing from Mergence Investment Managers to accelerate the deployment of solar systems for the commercial and industrial sector in Africa.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Solarise Africa has secured a new investment of $3.3mn from Mergence Investment Managers. This funding, structured as mezzanine debt through preference shares, will support the implementation of photovoltaic and hybrid solar solutions for commercial and industrial businesses in South Africa. This new injection follows an initial $8.7mn commitment made in 2024, as well as the successful refinancing of Solarise Africa’s senior debts.

Capacity targets and regional expansion

Solarise Africa aims to reach an installed capacity of 28 megawatts peak (MWp) in South Africa by the end of 2025. On a continental scale, the company has set itself the target of exceeding 200 MW installed by 2030. In December 2024, Solarise Africa also launched RUBiSOL, a joint venture with RUBiS Energy Kenya, to provide renewable solutions to industrial clients in East Africa.

Responding to the demand for energy reliability

Mergence’s new investment comes in a context of instability on the South African public electricity grid, prompting many industrial firms to seek more reliable alternatives. The commercial and industrial (C&I) renewables segment is thus benefiting from tailored financing, supporting the security of energy supply for African businesses.

Mosa Molebatsi, Head of Private Debt at Mergence Investment Managers, stated that this new commitment reflects the confidence placed in Solarise Africa’s potential and the solidity of the C&I sector.

Outlook for the African solar market

This funding consolidates Solarise Africa’s growth trajectory, as it aims to reinforce the private sector’s energy autonomy through decentralised solutions. The African market is moving towards diversified and resilient energy infrastructures to meet growing demand, particularly in sectors facing network instability. Solarise Africa intends to continue this momentum to support the continent’s energy transformation.

Hokkaido Gas has launched a 2MW solar power plant in Kamishihoro, with an expected annual output of 4.4GWh to be distributed locally through energy supplier Karch.
Sembcorp Industries has signed a purchase agreement to acquire a 300-megawatt solar plant in India, boosting its renewable energy footprint to a total capacity of 6.9 gigawatts.
Spanish solar energy producers have recorded 693 hours of zero or negative prices since January, already matching the total for the previous year, raising concerns about the sector’s profitability and market stability.
Mars signs a major contract with GoldenPeaks Capital to develop over 100 solar plants in Poland, aiming to power its European operations and supply chain with renewable electricity.
Doral Renewables has signed a power purchase agreement for 75% of the output from its Cold Creek Solar project, expanding its contracted portfolio to over 1.6 GW nationwide.
SNCF Voyageurs secures direct solar electricity supply from two plants owned by Octopus Energy and BayWa r.e., through 25-year agreements aimed at powering its rail network.
The end of China's VAT rebate and reduced output bring an end to eighteen months of historically low prices in solar and storage sectors.
The Kuwait Authority for Partnership Projects has shortlisted several companies for Phase III of the Al Dibdibah solar plant, with a net capacity of 500 MW.
The Central Electricity Regulatory Commission has agreed to examine compensation claims by ACME Solar and AMPIN Energy, citing losses caused by non-operational transmission lines.
Waaree Energies has activated a new 950 MW photovoltaic module production line in Degam, strengthening its industrial investment programme in western India.
India opens a new rooftop solar tender phase, offering 3,640 kW under the RESCO model, with a pre-bid meeting held online on October 6 by Solar Energy Corporation of India.
The Japanese developer has reached a total of 100MW in solar capacity under power purchase agreements with Microsoft, spread across four projects in the country, two of which are already operational.
SNCF Énergie signed four new renewable electricity purchase agreements with Neoen in July, covering the annual consumption equivalent of the TGV Paris–Bordeaux line.
RWE has inaugurated a 4 megawatt-peak solar park in Charente-Maritime, built on a former municipal landfill site and capable of supplying electricity to approximately 1,500 households.
Producer Red Rocket has finalised financing for a 331 MWp solar park in Mpumalanga, backed by a 20-year power purchase agreement with Discovery Green.
Sun Investment Group has launched a crowdfunding campaign with Enerfip to raise up to €1.6mn ($1.7mn) to support the development of twelve photovoltaic plants in Italy totalling 113 MW.
GreenYellow will develop a 1.5 MWp photovoltaic plant in Mauritius for Volailles et Traditions, with an expected annual output of 2.45 GWh fed into the national power grid.
An alternative energy scenario proposes increasing solar and storage capacity by 2037 to reduce fossil fuel dependence and cut electricity generation costs in Thailand.
Osaka Gas and Daiwa Energy & Infrastructure have formed a partnership to expand their renewable energy business with the acquisition of a 25MW solar power plant in Kyoto, formerly owned by Kyocera TCL Solar.
Global South Utilities, filiale de Resources Investment LTD, inaugure à N’Djamena la centrale Noor Chad de 50 MW avec 5 MWh de stockage, dimensionnée pour alimenter des centaines de milliers de foyers et exploitée directement par l’entreprise.