According to SAPVIA estimates, South Africa added approximately 928 MW of new PV capacity in the first quarter of 2025, including 280 MW of projects connected to the grid through the country's flagship Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP) since December 2024, as well as 647 MW of non-REIPPPP PV projects. New installations this year are expected to exceed the 1.1 GW added in 2024.

SAPVIA stated that by mid-2025, South Africa's cumulative installed PV capacity was estimated at 9,457 MW. The association stated: "As of July 2025, the total PV project capacity reached 1.0078 GW, representing the vast majority of the overall 14.9 GW pipeline. In addition, 11 REIPPPP projects remain under construction."

REIPPPP is a key driver of South Africa's utility-scale PV market. In July of this year, the South African government approved six new PV projects totaling 1,290 MW in the seventh procurement round, marking the largest utility-scale PV project commitment in South Africa this year. This 1,290 MW of capacity comes from the reallocation of unused onshore wind power project quotas. SAPVIA stated, "This strategic move ensures that unused wind power capacity can be rapidly converted to rapidly deployable and grid-connected photovoltaic projects, reinforcing South Africa's commitment to accelerating its clean energy transition."

In addition to the REIPPPP, the South African market is increasingly adopting energy storage solutions paired with renewable energy to enhance grid stability.