Harnessing Solar Energy for Southern Africa's Resilience

Today, we face a worrying trend, 12 to 18 hour power cuts in many Southern African countries. There appears to be no solution in sight. It is not a secret that Southern Africa is facing unreliable rains which is affecting one of its cleanest sources of electrical power, hydro power. In South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe power utility companies have resorted to running diesel generators and coal power plants to keep the lights on. There are growing calls from industry players for governments to act on the power situation. Across the region power utility companies are left with no choice but to increase electricity tariffs in the face of rising energy production costs.?

Yet in China, a nation that produces the bulk of solar energy products, there is excess power and home owners and and business owners are working with solar companies to install more panels on their roofs ably assisted by Banks and Government incentives. In Southern Africa our communities suffer, our businesses are faltering, and our children continue to grow up in the shadow of uncertainty. It is a vicious cycle, exacerbated by an ageing, shaky grid that cannot support our dreams of prosperity and growth. But it is in these moments of adversity that we must look within ourselves and find solutions—sustainable, transformative solutions that will empower us today and for generations to come.

At Solarpro we continue to work with our partners to make solar energy more affordable and accessible to those who need it the most, in the hope that the more people go solar the more we lift the pressure off traditional expensive to run national grids. Imagine a future where a mother in a rural village no longer worries if there will be power to cook dinner for her children. Most rural based mothers and indeed a number of urban dwellers still rely on firewood to prepare meals for their families. High youth unemployment remains a challenge. Just last week a young entrepreneur, determined to meet tight remote work deadlines, approached us at Solarpro.co.zw looking for a solution to power their laptop and Starlink Device. The young man was sleeping during the day and waiting for power to be restored around 11pm! We helped them acquire a 3 kva solar system and now they are no longer losing sleep over power outages.

Imagine our farmers looking up to the heavens daily and failing to plant on time. With solar power they can finally power irrigation systems to make fields bloom again—even in the face of drought. Solar energy is not just a technology; it is hope. It’s the promise of light in the darkness, of resilience in the face of climate change, and of dignity for every family across our region. To make this happen requires money and deliberate interventions by all involved. Our rent to buy program that we launched in January this year has demonstrated many people are willing and able to play their part. We have installed various solar systems from 3kva to 10kva systems across the country with many users choosing to pay for their systems in 3 to 12 months.?

We must all work together to make solar energy accessible to every household, from the poorest? suburbs to the most remote villages. Governments, businesses, and communities—we must come together to build frameworks that make solar affordable, to subsidise installations for those in need, and to spread the knowledge and training necessary for every citizen to harness the sun’s power. The solar funding models continue to evolve across the region and need to be supported.?

In South Africa, we have seen innovative financing models, such as pay-as-you-go solar, similar to our rent to buy program, enabling low-income households to pay for solar energy in small, manageable instalments over a number of years. This has allowed families to break free from unreliable grid connections while maintaining financial stability. These are the kinds of solutions that can bring solar power to every corner of Southern Africa.

All this is good but the pace of adoption is slow and needs to be accelerated given the growing challenges we face in the region. There are no indications? that the current droughts facing our region will end soon. Running diesel generators and coal plants is unsustainable and causing unnecessary increases in the average costs of power in the region. The coming on board of Centragrid’s 25 MW power plant financed 100% by local institutions in Zimbabwe is clear testimony that with proper planning and execution we can accelerate the adoption of solar power in the region.?

Southern Africa needs robust solar systems that have storage facilities and ensure that we take full advantage of the most abundant source of energy in the region, which is the sun. Governments, consumers and businesses must be deliberate in pushing for solar systems installations. By investing in quality infrastructure, we ensure that our children’s children will inherit a legacy of reliable, clean energy. We must build partnerships with reputable providers, ensure local technicians are trained and certified, and create incentives for companies to prioritise durability and efficiency. My recent visit to Namibia showed that with proper planning and financial support solar power can be installed in key institutions.?

We often forget that the sun is ready to provide power to us if we harness it. Let us remind ourselves that the sun which causes plants to wilt is the same sun that is capable of generating electricity that can help us to irrigate crops and run our factories. It is a resource that belongs to all of us equally. We have the power, quite literally, to turn our collective misfortune into a beacon of opportunity. Every solar panel installed on a rooftop, every community solar project launched, and every school that can now light its classrooms without interruption—these are the steps we take towards a future where Southern Africa thrives without compromise.

As we approach the end of the year, we need to look forward and say never again should we experience 18 hour power cuts in coming years because of our reliance on coal, diesel and hydro power. We must rally together and channel resources to installing solar? panels on all our roofs and add batteries to store excess power. Let’s create policy shifts that make this possible and let’s spread the message in our communities. We must see rooftops? that don't have solar panels as an enemy of progress and we must turn every empty rooftop into a reliable source of clean energy.?

Together, we can make Southern Africa not only a beacon of renewable energy but a region that shines with opportunity, innovation, and hope. Our young people deserve better livelihoods and providing them with enough electricity and opportunities to work is what we need to do. Let’s harness the sun and turn the tide. If you believe in the power of solar energy to transform our region, share your thoughts, support local solar initiatives, and let's build a brighter, sustainable future together.