As Zimbabwe increasingly turns to solar energy to fill the gap left by an unreliable national grid, the renewable energy sector is growing rapidly — but not without pain points.

At Solarpro Zimbabwe, we’re on the frontlines of this transformation. Despite the progress in terms of installations we see some worrying issues. In most cases we customers being misled about the products they are purchasing and what they are expected to power. We also see projects failing due to bad design or poor-quality equipment. Above all financing remains a major bottleneck. The promise of solar energy is real, but the industry needs bold leadership, transparency, and better structures to reach its potential.

Here are five major challenges Zimbabwe’s solar sector is facing — and what we’re doing at Solarpro to address them.

1. High interest rates and lack of access to financing

Zimbabwe’s macroeconomic environment — from exchange rate volatility to inflation — has a direct effect on the cost of money. Every time the ZWL shifts or the USD becomes harder to access, solar equipment prices skyrocket. Although the currency has stabilised following the introduction of the ZiG currency, the currency is not circulating widely and accessing USD currency to import products is an equally less straight forward task in itself. A more stable and predictable environment would lead to better access to lines of credit and would allow solar companies to import products more efficiently.

At Solarpro we are working with global suppliers to bring the latest products to our customers. Through our Buyers Gateway platform, we simplify and standardize the buying process for both installers and end-users. Our rent-to-own solar plans also provide an alternative path for homes and businesses to go solar without needing huge upfront payments.

2. Policy Support is increasing but needs to be consistent

Zimbabwe was one of the first Southern African countries to waive duty on computer products and there after solar products. While these products still pay VAT at 15%, removing this tax would improve product pricing while solving the current electricity challenges. Another plus is Zimbabwe’s net metering policy which is slowly gathering momentum. As of February 2025 net metering feed in was 75MW. Solarpro is committed to helping its customers save money through net metering. We are making easy for users to select the right equipment and we facilitate the whole onboarding process via our Solarpro Net Metering platform.

We also track policy and pricing changes through our in-house Zimbabwe Energy Reports, giving customers and partners clear, data-backed insights to inform their decisions. We also structure Private Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) for commercial clients — from schools to mines — to reduce ZESA dependency and ensure long-term energy savings. Our women in solar program also helps women access solar energy for their businesses at affordable rates of interest.

3. Poor-Quality Products Are Damaging Consumer Trust

4. Financing is Still a Major Barrier to Adoption

Most Zimbabweans can’t afford solar systems outright, and very few financial institutions have structured lending options tailored to the energy space. Meanwhile, developers and SMEs struggle to raise project finance due to risk perceptions and high interest rates.

In 2024 we launched our rent to buy model which has been very instrumental in allowing both individuals and businesses to access solar without high upfront payments. We're pioneering alternative finance models and have created investor-aligned partnerships for commercial systems. By bundling energy services with creative financial structures, we’re opening the door to communities, schools, and small businesses previously left out of the solar opportunity.

5. Customers Are Underserved by Reliable Guidance

With so much misinformation circulating, customers are often left to guess what system they need, how much it should cost, or whether the installer is legitimate. This leads to poor decisions and missed opportunities for long-term savings. We’ve invested in tools and platforms to empower buyers with accurate solar sizing, BOQ breakdowns, and access to a marketplace of trusted professionals. Through our Solapro Gateway we’re also bridging the gap between solar developers, funders, and large buyers to accelerate project execution across the country.

Zimbabwe doesn’t just need more solar panels. We need integrity, innovation, and coordination across the energy ecosystem. Solarpro is stepping up to lead that charge. If you're tired of being left in the dark — literally and figuratively — let's light the way together.