By Eamonn Ryan
The following article derives from a panel discussion at the Solar & Storage Africa Live conference and expo held in Gauteng in March, on the topic ‘From crisis to capacity: how SA businesses are using storage to survive and thrive’.
The panel consisted of:
- Thabisile Kubheka, Smartgrid SA director of stakeholders engagement and community liaison
- Lydia Kapangila, African Youth in Energy
- David Raphael, SOLINK
- Wale Odugbesan, Royal Power & Energy
- Pitso Sekhoto, Eskom
This is part three of a three-part series.
As solar systems become more intelligent and interconnected, new challenges are emerging alongside the opportunities. From cybersecurity risks to skills shortages and policy gaps, the transition to smart energy systems is as much about readiness as it is about technology. The final part of the discussion shifted focus to what it will take, particularly in Africa, to scale these innovations safely and effectively.
As solar systems become more connected, cybersecurity emerged as a critical concern. The integration of IoT devices, cloud platforms and enterprise systems introduces a significantly larger attack surface for potential cyber threats.
A key distinction was made between IT (Information Technology) systems and OT (Operational Technology) systems. While IT systems are typically concerned with data security and business continuity, OT systems directly control physical infrastructure. A cyberattack on an OT system could therefore have physical consequences, including equipment damage, operational disruption or even safety risks.
The panel stressed that cybersecurity should not be treated as an add-on feature but as a foundational design requirement. Proper segmentation between IT and OT networks is essential to limit exposure and prevent lateral movement of threats across systems. Additionally, concerns were raised about data ownership, data flow and the potential risks associated with systems that both read and write operational data to physical infrastructure.
Skills, policy and implementation gaps in Africa
The conversation then shifted to the broader ecosystem challenges, particularly within the African context. While smart solar technologies are advancing rapidly, their implementation is constrained by several structural issues.
A major challenge is the shortage of skilled professionals capable of designing, deploying and maintaining advanced solar and AI-integrated systems. There is also a policy gap in many regions, where regulatory frameworks have not yet fully adapted to emerging technologies such as smart meters, IoT-enabled grids and AI-driven energy systems.
In addition, high upfront costs remain a barrier to widespread adoption, especially for small and medium-scale industrial operators. Even when long-term savings are clear, initial capital requirements can delay or prevent deployment.
However, the discussion also highlighted ongoing efforts to address these gaps through training programmes, university partnerships and regional collaborations. There is a growing recognition that capacity building must accompany technological deployment if smart solar systems are to scale effectively.
Africa’s position in the global energy transition
Despite these challenges, the panel offered an optimistic view of Africa’s potential role in the global energy transition. Historically, the continent has demonstrated a strong ability to adopt, and adapt to, new technologies rapidly.
There is also active participation in global standard-setting processes, with African institutions contributing to frameworks governing energy systems, AI integration and interoperability standards. This positions the region not just as an adopter of technology but also as a contributor to how future energy systems are designed and regulated.
Toward intelligent, collaborative energy systems
The session concluded with a shared recognition that the future of solar energy in industrial operations will be defined by convergence – between hardware and software, between human expertise and machine intelligence, and between distributed energy systems and centralised grid management.
AI and IoT are not replacing human engineers but augmenting their capabilities, enabling faster diagnosis, improved forecasting and more efficient system management. At the same time, solar systems are evolving from isolated installations into interconnected, intelligent networks that actively support grid stability and energy optimisation.
Ultimately, the transition to smart solar is not just a technological upgrade. It represents a structural transformation in how energy is generated, managed and consumed – one that will require co-ordinated advances in technology, skills development, policy and cybersecurity to fully realise its potential.
Summary
The panel underscored that the future of solar in the cold chain will depend on more than just technology deployment. Cybersecurity must be embedded at design level, workforce skills must evolve and policy frameworks must catch up with innovation. Despite these hurdles, Africa is well positioned to play a leading role in the global energy transition – provided that investment in people, systems and governance keeps pace with technological change.