Installing Solar Energy in Zimbabwe is Now as Easy as Buying a TV!

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Approximately ten years ago, while observing Zimbabwe and several other African nations, it was evident that numerous obstacles hindered the widespread adoption of rooftop solar systems for homes and small businesses. The primary challenges included:

1. The high initial investment required for hybrid solar systems. The expenses associated with battery storage, inverters, solar panels, and related components exceeded what most individuals could afford. In many countries facing electricity rationing, reliable battery backup is essential during power outages. For instance, in 2016, a residential system comprised of roughly 6 kWp of solar panels, a 7 kW inverter, and about 16 kWh of usable battery capacity from a lead-acid battery setup cost over $34,000, installation included. A more modest system featuring a 3 kW inverter, 3 kWp solar panels, and 8 kWh of usable lead-acid battery storage approached $17,000. This amount is unmanageable for many in this region.
2. The absence of long-term financing solutions such as solar leasing options, Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), or financing programs where customers could pay an initial deposit and balance over time, similar to purchasing furniture.
3. A limited number of accredited solar installers, making it challenging for homeowners to find reliable partners for installation.
4. A small selection of wholesalers and retailers for solar panels and related systems.

For solar energy to thrive, I believed it needed to transition into a commodity—affordable, easily accessible, and uncomplicated to install, like purchasing household appliances from a department store. The entire process required streamlining to minimize difficulties, providing consumers with the ability to make small down payments and settle the remainder over time, similar to their experiences with other products.

Fast forward eight years, and it appears this transformation is occurring! I recently witnessed notable changes during a long holiday weekend in Zimbabwe, when friends and family proudly displayed their newly installed solar systems. Many of these families had previously owned small hybrid systems and were thrilled to showcase their recent upgrades. I was particularly impressed by the smooth process they experienced in obtaining their new solar installations, along with the costs involved!

One family acquired a package consisting of a 6.2 KVA hybrid inverter, a 5.1 kWh LFP wall-mounted battery, and six 460 W Canadian Solar panels (totaling 2.76 kWp) all installed at their home. They made the purchase with no upfront payment and opted for a 12-month payment plan through an employee program. If bought outright, this solar package would amount to around $2,800—a stark contrast to the financing for a similar home solar system that would have cost nearly $15,000 eight years ago, which would have disqualified many families from affording it.

Significant advancements in the solar and battery storage sectors have dramatically decreased the prices of solar panels and battery systems. Previously, consumers purchased lead-acid batteries with shorter lifespans for far more money. Now, they can secure a 5 kWh LFP battery that provides a longer lifecycle at a significantly lower cost. How impressive is this?

To put this in perspective, a home solar package with adequate battery storage featuring quality components now costs about $3,000 to fully install, down from approximately $15,000 only eight years ago!

This reduction addresses the financial barrier, while the smooth installation process indicates that many other hindrances related to equipment availability and accredited installer shortages have also diminished. The family informed me that numerous colleagues had opted for the no-money-down option, with payments spread over several months, and had already installed their systems.

Another family received a similar solar package through a comparable hassle-free process, but this one was not linked to an employee program. They obtained their solar system from one of Zimbabwe’s largest furniture and appliance stores. Intrigued, I visited one of these stores to learn about the process, discovering it closely resembled buying furniture or a large appliance! Customers can make a small deposit and arrange a monthly payment plan. The store coordinates with an accredited solar installer for the home setup.

Accessibility to solar energy in this region has never been greater. Consumers can now choose between a high-quality 100-inch television for about $2,400 or a reliable solar package from a store with multiple locations across the country. This shift is vital for increasing adoption rates, with the availability of monthly payment plans serving as a significant breakthrough. While these solar packages may not feature top-tier inverters and batteries, they offer substantial value at this price point. They may not reach the level of products like Tesla Powerwalls, yet, when installed and utilized correctly, they can provide satisfactory service over many years. Not everyone can afford premium solutions, and it is encouraging to see a broader range of options catering to different budgets, particularly through accessible channels and flexible payment solutions.

Images: Solar deals in Zimbabwe — brochures captured by Remeredzai. The images are not intended for promotional use but rather to illustrate the current landscape of the solar market in Zimbabwe and do not serve as endorsements or promotions for specific products or stores.