The Presidential solar scheme is progressing well, with 80 homes already outfitted with solar panels as part of the pilot project aimed at 400 homes in Glen View Suburb.
Solar panels are being installed on rooftops to generate power, which will be sold to Zesa and fed into the national grid.
This initiative involves renting and installing solar panels on house rooftops in Harare. The pilot project in Glen View includes a token of appreciation for participating homeowners.
Residents were ecstatic this Saturday, sharing how the project has positively impacted their lives and businesses.
“We are very grateful to President Mnangagwa for approving this project. The implementor, Prevail Group, has already installed solar panels on 80 houses in less than a week.
“The system is working very well, and we are grateful. Our lives are now easier; we can stock meat, have lighting, and more,” said a resident.
The project is managed by the Zimbabwe Solar Energy Company (ZISEC), a subsidiary of Prevail Group International (PGI), founded by award-winning businessman Dr. Paul Tungwarara.
Solar power has been identified as a crucial solution to the country’s electricity shortages.
The energy generated by these solar panels will be sold to Zesa to be integrated into the national grid. In return, Zesa has agreed in principle to suspend load-shedding in the participating areas.
Standard contractual arrangements have been established, allowing ZISEC to recover its investment and earn a profit if they operate efficiently.
“We are generating solar power from the rooftops and feeding it into the grid to eliminate load-shedding in the areas where we are installing the solar system. So far, 80 houses have benefited.
“We plan to expand nationwide, wherever there are roofs,” said Dr. Tungwarara.
Our news crew toured the site and observed that employment is being generated through resident training programs for solar system installation.
Reuben Akili, director of the Combined Harare Residents Association, recently endorsed the initiative.
“We welcome this developmental rent-a-roof initiative designed to mitigate load-shedding.
“As CHRA, we will advocate to ensure that the agreements between ZISEC and residents serve the best interests of the residents,” he said.
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority has licensed over 100 small independent power producers (IPPs) with a combined capacity to produce around 1,300 MW. A few IPPs have already started generating power.
