On August 28, 2025, two continents thousands of miles apart—Africa and North America—marked significant milestones in their respective journeys toward a sustainable, solar-powered future. In New Delhi, at the 20th Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) India–Africa Business Conclave, Dr. Barakat Ahmed, Regional Head for Africa at the International Solar Alliance (ISA), outlined ambitious efforts to transform Africa’s energy landscape. Meanwhile, in Maryville, Tennessee, a coalition of local and international partners celebrated the launch of a new solar facility destined to reshape the community’s power grid and economic outlook. Though separated by geography and scale, both stories underscore a global movement: the drive for clean, affordable, and accessible solar energy.
During the high-profile business conclave, Dr. Ahmed emphasized what’s at stake for Africa: “Solar energy is about more than just electricity—it’s empowerment, innovation, and opportunity.” According to the International Solar Alliance, the continent faces the daunting task of delivering energy access to 600 million people, all while forging a path toward a low-carbon future. The ISA’s response? A suite of practical, scalable initiatives aimed at bridging the energy gap and fostering inclusive growth.
One cornerstone of ISA’s strategy is capacity building. Over 5,000 technicians and policymakers have been trained across Africa, creating a skilled workforce capable of installing, maintaining, and expanding solar infrastructure. This investment in people, as Dr. Ahmed pointed out, is crucial for ensuring that solar technology takes root at the community level. “We’re not just building projects—we’re building expertise and self-reliance,” he said, according to The Economic Times.
But the ISA’s approach doesn’t stop at technical training. Through the SolarX Startup Challenge, the alliance empowers local innovators to develop solutions tailored to Africa’s unique challenges. These startups are encouraged to think creatively about how solar can address not only electricity shortages but also broader issues like water access, agricultural productivity, and education. By fostering entrepreneurship, the ISA hopes to spark a wave of homegrown solutions that can be scaled across the continent.
Financing, often a stumbling block for clean energy projects, is another area where the ISA has made significant headway. Collaborations with heavyweights like the African Development Bank Group and The World Bank have led to blended finance partnerships that de-risk investments and make solar projects more attractive. These partnerships are particularly focused on extending affordable, clean energy to farmers, women entrepreneurs, and rural communities—groups that have historically been left behind by traditional energy infrastructure. “By working together, we’re making solar energy affordable and accessible for those who need it most,” Dr. Ahmed noted, as reported by Business Standard.
On the ground, ISA initiatives take many forms. Solar pumping and mini-grids are bringing power to farms, homes, and entire communities that previously relied on costly and polluting diesel generators. Rooftop solar systems now light up schools, health centers, and households, transforming daily life for millions. These projects are not just about technology—they’re about creating green jobs, fostering South–South cooperation, and promoting knowledge-sharing between nations facing similar challenges.
“Africa’s solar journey is about catalyzing growth and empowering communities,” Dr. Ahmed told attendees. The ISA’s blueprint, he argued, offers a model for how developing regions can leapfrog fossil fuels and build a sustainable energy future from the ground up.
Across the Atlantic, in Maryville, Tennessee, a different but equally inspiring solar story unfolded. Denso Manufacturing, a major employer in the area, teamed up with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), Silicon Ranch, and the City of Maryville to ‘flip the switch’ on a brand-new solar farm located directly at the Denso Tennessee Manufacturing site. The project, which broke ground in November 2022 and wrapped up construction in the summer of 2025, features 4,000 state-of-the-art solar panels generating 3,400 megawatt-hours of energy annually.
“Denso will consume part of that, but part of that will go back into the electrical grid. So, we’re providing energy into the city of Maryville’s electrical grid and contributing to the energy that everyone uses every day,” explained Mark Moses, Operations Vice President of Electrification Systems Division for Denso, in an interview with WATE 6 News.
This solar facility stands out not just for its scale, but for its location. “It’s rare to have a location where you actually have the power plant adjacent to the facility. And it really, I think it serves as a billboard, metaphorically, for their commitment to sustainability,” said Matt Beasley, chief commercial officer for Silicon Ranch. The local grid connection means that both Denso and Maryville residents benefit directly from the clean energy generated on site.
Affordability is another key feature. Maryville Electric secured a long-term contract for power at a highly competitive rate, locked in for the next 30 years. “The price that Maryville Electric is paying for this power today is the same as it’s going to be paying for this power…30 years from today,” Beasley told reporters. This price stability could help keep electricity rates low for local customers, providing a buffer against the volatility often seen in traditional energy markets.
The Maryville solar project is just the beginning. Two additional solar farms are under construction in the area—one off Mint Road and another on Sevierville Road—scheduled to be operational by December 2025 and the second quarter of 2026, respectively. Altogether, the community is seeing a $13 million investment, generating tax revenues and sustaining local jobs. “There were jobs created, but more importantly, jobs sustained by having access to environmentally sustainable but also economically sustainable power,” Beasley emphasized.
There’s even an agricultural twist: once the new solar sites are up and running, Silicon Ranch plans to partner with a local East Tennessee farmer to graze livestock on the land, blending renewable energy with traditional farming practices.
Both the African and American solar initiatives reveal the diverse ways communities are harnessing the sun’s power to address their most pressing needs. Whether it’s training technicians in Kenya or locking in low-cost electricity in Tennessee, the common threads are clear—innovation, partnership, and a commitment to a cleaner, brighter future.
As the world races to decarbonize and expand energy access, these stories serve as reminders that the path forward is being forged not just in boardrooms and laboratories, but in rural villages, manufacturing plants, and city halls. The sun, after all, shines everywhere—and with the right mix of vision and cooperation, its benefits can reach everyone.
