Expected ROI of rooftop solar storage project in Zambia 2026

Will Zambia invest in off-grid solar energy?

In collaboration with the World Bank, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Africa Minigrid Development Association (AMDA), and other partners, the Government of Zambia is redoubling its efforts to invest in off-grid solar energy throughout the country to connect all Zambians.

What are distributed rooftop solar energy solutions?

Distributed rooftop solar electricity solutions empower individual users to manage their own energy needs effectively.

Why is solar power so popular in Zambia?

Moreover, the cost of solar panels has significantly decreased in recent years, making solar power systems one of the most cost-effective means of electricity generation, even on a small scale. Zambia has ample year-round sunshine for the generation of solar power as shown in the map below.

How much electricity does Zambia produce a year?

The Zambian electricity grid has ready-made energy storage infrastructure at Kariba Dam. Kariba Dam typically stores approximately 5750 GWh of electrical energy or about 30% of Zambia’s annual generation of 19,400 GWh in 2022.

Will rooftop solar replace KNBE?

Further increases of rooftop solar to 5% of total annual electricity generation, 972 GWh with peak power 370 MW, as modelled below could further displace generation at KNBE but also require reduced production at the main Kariba North Bank (KNB) power plant.

Should rooftop solar be integrated into a national grid?

The integration of rooftop solar into a national grid reduces the market and profitability of historical generators and distributors of electricity. It shifts the balance of generation from utilities to the customer which may make monopolistic state-utilities less keen to support its adoption.