Get ready for a nationwide sniff test on your rooftop solar. The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority plans a full audit of home power generation, aiming to plug holes in the national energy data. ZERA's chief Edington Mazambani said the count will measure electricity from domestic solar setups to gauge real electrification rates and plan for grid integration.
Many households have switched to solar, driven initially by blackouts but now seeing it as a permanent, cheaper alternative. Costs for systems like a 3.2kVA setup have dropped significantly. This shift creates a hidden network, a shadow grid masking true energy access. A midday surplus problem exists, with potential clean power wasted as home batteries fill up.
Expert Engineer Travor Sande points out a major roadblock: infrastructure. Many areas lack basic power lines, making homes energy islands unable to feed surplus back. The audit will help forecast where utility ZESA needs to deploy poles and substations. Officials encourage net-metering to push excess solar into the grid, aiding industries.
Market dynamics pose another challenge. As people become producers, utility revenue falls, potentially raising prices for those who cannot afford solar. A former ZESA executive warned the regulator must understand these shifts to avoid unfair tariffs on poorer households, who might subsidize grid costs for solar-equipped users.
Many households have switched to solar, driven initially by blackouts but now seeing it as a permanent, cheaper alternative. Costs for systems like a 3.2kVA setup have dropped significantly. This shift creates a hidden network, a shadow grid masking true energy access. A midday surplus problem exists, with potential clean power wasted as home batteries fill up.
Expert Engineer Travor Sande points out a major roadblock: infrastructure. Many areas lack basic power lines, making homes energy islands unable to feed surplus back. The audit will help forecast where utility ZESA needs to deploy poles and substations. Officials encourage net-metering to push excess solar into the grid, aiding industries.
Market dynamics pose another challenge. As people become producers, utility revenue falls, potentially raising prices for those who cannot afford solar. A former ZESA executive warned the regulator must understand these shifts to avoid unfair tariffs on poorer households, who might subsidize grid costs for solar-equipped users.
