By Abbas Nazil
A China-Egypt renewable energy laboratory in southern Egypt is advancing solar technology research and development while supporting the country’s efforts to expand local photovoltaic manufacturing and strengthen renewable energy innovation.
The China-Egypt Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Renewable Energy, located on Karaman Island in Sohag, is operated in cooperation with Egypt’s Academy of Scientific Research and Technology and serves as a platform for research, testing and development of photovoltaic technologies.
The facility has contributed to major milestones in Egypt’s solar industry, including the production of the country’s first locally manufactured half-cut solar cell in October 2023 and its first locally manufactured high-efficiency half-cell solar module a month later.
Mohamed Zahran, a professor at the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, said the joint laboratory has provided comprehensive support for the technological breakthroughs and the development of independent solar production capabilities in Egypt.
The laboratory has established an integrated photovoltaic research and production system covering key manufacturing processes, specialised equipment for production and testing, as well as standardised facilities designed to support research and production under desert conditions.
The partnership combines Egypt’s strong solar resources with China’s expertise in photovoltaic technology, equipment and supply chains.
Egypt receives about 3,000 hours of full sunshine annually, creating favourable conditions for solar energy development and providing an important environment for testing and deploying photovoltaic technologies.
The laboratory has also developed demonstration projects involving both on-grid and off-grid photovoltaic systems, solar-powered water pumping and solar-based water purification technologies.
Aref Eliwa, another professor at the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, said the facility provides scientists from China and Egypt with a platform for conducting joint research, addressing technical challenges and developing renewable energy solutions adapted to Egypt’s environmental conditions.
Collaborative research at the laboratory has helped address technical challenges associated with high-resistance dense-grid solar cells, improving their efficiency and supporting the production of photovoltaic technologies suited to local solar conditions.
The partnership is now expected to expand beyond research and manufacturing, with plans to transform the laboratory into a regional renewable energy innovation centre.
The proposed expansion will focus on collaborative research, technology demonstration, technical training and the promotion of renewable energy solutions.
The initiative could strengthen Egypt’s domestic solar technology capacity while creating opportunities for wider cooperation on renewable energy across Africa.
By combining China’s photovoltaic expertise with Egypt’s abundant solar resources and growing manufacturing capabilities, the joint laboratory is positioning itself as a platform for developing technologies that could support the continent’s transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy systems.
