As climate change intensifies and the global energy transition accelerates, green development is becoming an increasingly important link between China and Africa as they work toward a more sustainable future. From photovoltaic technologies reaching across borders to the deepening involvement of Chinese companies in Africa's renewable-energy and infrastructure development, China–Africa green cooperation continues to open new chapters of practical collaboration across the continent.
From August 6 to 13, 2026, a Global Challenge team from the School of Design at Shanghai Jiao Tong University traveled to South Africa to carry out field research and community engagement focusing on renewable-energy development, ecological governance, China–Africa cooperation, cultural exchange, and sustainable community development. Through this work, the team sought to tell the story of how Chinese renewable energy is supporting South Africa's development, share China's experience in the green transition, and explore new possibilities for the future through firsthand experience on the ground.
- University Dialogue: Exploring New Pathways for the Green Transition and Ecological Governance
The team visited the University of Cape Town, where it met with Associate Professor Pippin Anderson, Head of the Department of Environmental and Geographical Science, Professor Frank Eckardt, and Dr. Johanna von Holdt. The discussion focused on the current state of renewable-energy development in South Africa, the transition to renewable energy, ecological governance, and the relationship between energy development and social development. Building on the team's existing research into Chinese photovoltaic exports to Africa, energy infrastructure, and the effectiveness of technology transfer, the participants examined practical challenges facing South Africa's energy transition, including resource conditions, grid infrastructure, ecological constraints, and social needs. Professor Anderson noted that renewable-energy development is not simply a technical issue, but a systemic challenge closely connected to resource endowments, ecological governance, infrastructure, and community development. The University of Cape Town is also conducting related research and expressed interest in further collaboration on renewable energy and sustainable development. The exchange also provided new perspectives for the team's research on "PV+ ecological governance" and for broader academic cooperation between Chinese and African universities.
- Youth Exchange: Building Bridges Through Language and Strengthening China–Africa Cultural Connections
In a Chinese-language class at the Confucius Institute of the University of Cape Town, team members met with South African students studying Chinese and organized an "SJTU DAY" event introducing Chinese culture and the history of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The conversation ranged from why students had chosen to learn Chinese and how they viewed China and South Africa to campus life, cultural habits, studies, and future plans. What began as an exchange across languages and geography gradually developed into a relaxed and genuine dialogue among young people. Through these conversations, the team learned that many industries in South Africa increasingly need professionals who understand China and speak Chinese. As the renewable-energy sector grows, more students are also pursuing energy-related fields.
The encounter in the Chinese-language classroom showed the team that China–Africa exchange takes place not only through large-scale cooperation, but also in a handshake, a conversation, or time spent together among young people. Language can serve as a bridge, while curiosity and sincerity bring people closer together.
Team members touring the University of Cape Town with UCT students
- Industry Engagement: Understanding Chinese Photovoltaic Companies in Africa
To better understand the development of China's renewable-energy industry in Africa, the team visited the LONGi Solar South Africa Joint Training Center and a photovoltaic project office of a Chinese-funded enterprise. From technology and markets to project operations, the visits gave the team a firsthand look at how Chinese renewable-energy companies are participating in South Africa's green transition.
- From Photovoltaic Products to Integrated Energy Solutions
As a global leader in solar technology, LONGi Green Energy has long placed technological innovation at the center of its development. At the LONGi Solar South Africa Joint Training Center, the team discussed the growth of the photovoltaic market in sub-Saharan Africa, regional energy demand, project implementation, and applications of renewable-energy technologies with company staff. Drawing on his extensive market experience, Senior Product Solutions Manager Wang Yue highlighted the significant differences among African countries in their economic foundations, industrial structures, grid conditions, and energy demand. He explained that whether photovoltaic products can be translated into a stable energy supply depends not only on resource endowments and the products themselves, but also on market demand, viable business models, effective project implementation, and grid-connection capacity.
During the visit, the team also learned more about LONGi's BC cell technology and its approach to improving power-generation efficiency by optimizing cell structure and reducing front-side shading losses. From market demand to project implementation, and from individual modules to complete system solutions, the visit deepened the team's understanding that "PV+" is not simply a combination of technologies. Rather, it requires energy technologies to work in coordination with grid conditions, market demand, and specific application scenarios. The visit also gave the team a frontline industry perspective on the differences between photovoltaic technology inputs and actual energy output across African countries.
- From Project Construction to Localized Operations
During its field study at a photovoltaic project office of a Chinese-funded enterprise in South Africa, the team broadened its focus from renewable-energy technology to the construction and long-term operation of overseas projects. Project Manager Han Shuying and Project Office Director Tan Ke shared practical experience from photovoltaic project implementation in South Africa, covering project execution, localized management, community engagement, employment, and corporate social responsibility. The team learned that the sustainable operation of an overseas energy project requires far more than the successful installation of technical equipment. Adapting to local institutions, establishing stable channels for community communication, and supporting local employment and talent development are equally important considerations as Chinese companies expand their operations overseas.
In South Africa, for example, Chinese companies need to understand and adapt to local employment regulations, business practices, and community consultation mechanisms. Project implementation also requires careful attention to local recruitment, partner selection, and communication across diverse cultural backgrounds. The project team has maintained sustained, positive engagement with local communities by establishing feedback channels, holding regular consultation sessions, and donating supplies to nearby schools and communities.
Site of a Photovoltaic Project Office of a Chinese-Funded Enterprise in South Africa
This field study gave the team a more direct understanding that the "localization" of overseas renewable-energy projects involves far more than employing local personnel. It is a systemic process that encompasses institutional adaptation, community engagement, talent development, and social responsibility. Moving from "building a project" to "becoming part of a place" requires long-term commitment to understanding, communication, and accountability beyond the technology itself. The two sides also discussed future university–industry cooperation, including ways to combine SJTU's strengths in research and talent development with the Chinese-funded enterprise's experience in overseas projects to explore collaboration in renewable-energy technologies and talent development, and to cultivate more highly qualified professionals for Africa's green development.
- Returning to the Community: Understanding the Realities of Energy Access
The team returned to Mbitane Primary School, a rural school near Durban. Located in an economically disadvantaged area, the school has limited educational resources. In conversations with the principal, the team again learned about the practical challenges affecting day-to-day teaching. Because local infrastructure is limited, power outages are not uncommon. When the electricity goes out, lighting and teaching equipment are affected, and regular classes are often interrupted.
With support from Shanghai M&G Stationery Inc., the team donated crayons and other art supplies to the school and joined the children in drawing, encouraging them to use color to express their homes, nature, and imagination. At first hesitant, the children gradually began picking up crayons with confidence and filling blank sheets with colorful drawings. Laughter filled the classroom, and the simple art activity became one of the warmest memories of the team's fieldwork in South Africa.
From its first visit in 2024 to its return in 2026, the team's experiences at this rural primary school have given it a more concrete and human understanding of "PV+" Renewable energy is not only about large power stations and industry statistics. It can also mean reliable lighting in a classroom, a lesson uninterrupted by a power outage, and a more dependable learning environment for children.
These real, seemingly small moments reinforced the team's understanding that technology must ultimately respond to people's needs. Bringing clean energy into communities, schools, and everyday life may be one of the simplest yet most powerful expressions of what "PV+" means.
From universities and companies to project sites and rural classrooms, the Global Challenge Program "PV+" Social Ecology Team remained focused on renewable-energy development and its contribution to sustainable development in Africa. Through field research and exchanges with local universities, Chinese companies, and rural communities in real-world settings across South Africa, the team developed a more systematic and grounded understanding of the resource potential, practical challenges, and localization pathways shaping renewable-energy development in Southern Africa.
Repeated field visits also made one point increasingly clear: "PV+" is about more than technology and industry. It is equally about ecology, communities, education, and people's everyday lives. Renewable-energy technologies create meaningful value when they are applied in real-world settings, respond to genuine needs, and extend the benefits of green development to more people.
Looking ahead, the School of Design at Shanghai Jiao Tong University will continue to draw on its interdisciplinary strengths to advance work in renewable energy, ecological governance, and social sustainability. By strengthening links among research, talent development, and industry practice, the School aims to contribute Chinese solutions, SJTU expertise, and the contributions of young people to Africa's green transition and to broader cooperation on sustainable development between China and Africa.
Global Challenge Program "PV+" Social Ecology Team
Zhe Xiaoxiao, Master's student, Class of 2024, School of Design, SJTU
Jiang Anyao, Doctoral student, Class of 2026, School of Design, SJTU
Ye Shuyue, Undergraduate student, Industrial Design, Class of 2025, School of Design, SJTU
Zhou Yuchen, Master's student, Class of 2025, School of Media and Communication, SJTU
Source: School of Design
