Why doesn't South Africa use more alternative energy sources like solar power?

Question

Why doesn't South Africa use more alternative energy sources like solar power?

Answer 1

It is easier to ;and perpetuate;war as compared to innitiating and refinning technollogical advances that may have worldwide ramifications. As it stands, a human life is of little consideration when compared to the enormity of those who want to gain monetarilly. The empire that exists solely  to prosper monetarilly is the oppression you witness. They are the reason for this season of discontent.

Answer 2

Truthfully, I don't think anyone but someone from the government could truly answer this question.  However, when I typed "South Africa and renewable resources" into Google, I found this really good article written by someone from South Africa.  

Apparently cost isn't the only major factor, but access is.  This will blow your mind, but according to this article, while half of the electricity used is produced on the South African continent, only 1/3 of the population has access to it!  This means that about 2/3 of the population rely on non-renewable resources like coal, paraffin, gas or candles.  This was probably a fact as of 2001 when the site was last updated.  

There are other links that you can find with Google.  The one I referred to was the first one and the most recent.  If you really want to find some more current answers, contact the African Studies department or even contact the Engineering department of your local college or university and ask them your questions.  Either one of these departments are good places to start.  

Be sure to indicate to those you speak with that you want the most current information possible.  They may not tell you the exact answer, but they may be able to tell you exactly where to look!

Hopefully this helps!

Answer 3

Because solar cells are REALLY expensive and they don't work at night. And Africa has LOTS of coal, which is cheap and can be used at night and can be made into gas and liquid fuels.

Answer 4

Its all about engineers. We have one engineer for every 32000 citizens.

PS

you are not perhaps melk man that went to school with me in Menlo Park 1988.

Answer 5

I believe South Africa is doing some major groundbreaking work on alternative energy by building a Pebble Bed Nuclear Reactor.  While this reactor design uses more uranium / plutonium fuel than typical reactors, it is instrinsically safer because it can safely shut down and cool down even if cooling water pumps fail.

Naturally the USA trails S.A. on this one, preferring to pursue politically expedient "alternate energy" like corn ethanol.