Comparing the Cost of Utility Power vs Solar Power in Zimbabwe

In September 2023, the solar industry in Zimbabwe experienced a surge in activity as power cuts returned to some areas. As I have highlighted in previous talks and articles, many people install solar to avoid power cuts. However, few realize that they can also save a lot of money by going solar.

In this article, I will compare the current cost of utility power vs solar power in Zimbabwe.

Cost of Utility Power

The cost of utility power in Zimbabwe varies depending on how much electricity you use. The first 50 units of electricity cost about USD cents per kwh, while if you use over 1000 units of electricity, you pay USD 18 cents per kwh.

Cost of Solar Power

The cost of installing a solar system in Zimbabwe has decreased significantly in recent months. Most solar panel suppliers have dropped their prices to record lows. A 445 watt panel now costs around 135 to 145 USD per piece. At Solarpro for example we are currently running a promotion for a 5kva Solar system with a 1780 watts solar panel array and a 5.12kwh lithium battery for about USD3000. Such a system produces about 280 kwh units per month which costs about USD32 per month. Annually such a household would fork out USD384 to purchase electricity. Once you have installed a solar system, you will no longer have to pay utility bills, except for a small amount based on your usage of the grid when solar power is low or down.

Comparison of Costs

In our example above, to compare the cost of utility power to solar power, let's assume that a household uses 280 units of electricity per month. At the current utility rates, this household would pay USD32 per month for electricity.

If the same household installed a solar system, they would save USD32 per month on their electricity bills. This means that it would take them just over 7.8 years to recoup the cost of the solar system.

After 7.8 years, the household would start saving money on their electricity bills. Over the lifetime of the solar system, which is typically 5-15 years for our lithium powered systems, the household would save thousands of dollars.

Solar power is a more cost-effective option than utility power in Zimbabwe, this is because when grid power is down you don't have to worry about running a generator. Solar power brings convenience to homes and businesses. The more you spend on your electricity bills the more it makes sense to move over to solar. While the upfront cost of solar power is higher, the long-term savings are significant and rewarding. .

If you are considering installing a solar system, I encourage you to do your research and get quotes from multiple solar installers, including from Solarpro.