Zimbabwe’s growing shift to solar power is beginning to ease electricity costs and reduce pressure on the national grid, with 118 megawatts now feeding into the system through net metering.
The latest figures point to a steady rise in businesses and households turning to rooftop solar, not just as a backup solution, but as a cost-saving investment as energy challenges persist.
ZESA Holdings official Cletus Nyachowe said the country has now reached a significant milestone in renewable energy integration.
He said Zimbabwe has integrated 118MW of net metering capacity into the national grid.
Nyachowe said recent reforms by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company have played a key role in accelerating uptake.
He said authorities removed upfront connection fees and introduced credit transfers across customer properties to make the system more accessible and financially viable.
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Nyachowe said the net metering programme allows solar users to feed excess electricity into the grid and earn credits that offset future consumption.
He said this effectively turns the grid into a virtual battery, reducing the need for expensive storage systems.
The shift is now translating into tangible benefits for consumers, particularly businesses that have struggled with high electricity costs and unreliable supply.
He stated that faster return on investment is becoming a key driver for solar adoption, as users recover installation costs more quickly through savings and credits.
The model is also reducing reliance on costly battery storage, lowering the overall cost of transitioning to solar.
At the same time, increased distributed generation is helping stabilise the grid by easing demand during peak periods.
The 118MW milestone signals a structural shift in Zimbabwe’s energy market, where consumers are increasingly becoming producers, reshaping both supply dynamics and cost structures.
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