Everywhere we go — across Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Chitungwiza and Masvingo, among others — we are surrounded by flat, sun-drenched roofs on schools, hospitals, shopping malls, warehouses, public buildings, churches, and even residential blocks These rooftops are not just for shelter; they are platforms of opportunity — perfect for solar panels that can quietly power our communities This is not a futuristic dream It is a practical, achievable, and urgent solution
Cities can — and should — rent out rooftops for renewable energy projects It’s an idea whose time has come Why rooftop solar The case for urban energy transformation
Zimbabwe has over 300 days of sunshine a year — one of the highest solar irradiance potentials in Southern Africa
At the same time, our energy deficit continues to grow, leading to frequent load-shedding, disrupted productivity, and missed economic potential *Generate clean, decentralised electricity
*Reduce dependency on the national grid
*Create revenue streams for city councils and building owners
*Empower local communities through energy access
In short, rooftop solar projects decentralise power, democratise energy, and drive green development—all without clearing a single hectare of land Revenue for cities, power for citizens
Cities across the world are generating revenue by renting rooftops to energy developers Why not Zimbabwean cities
Here’s a real example: In India, several cities like Pune and Ahmedabad allow solar companies to lease municipal building rooftops, paying rent while supplying electricity to the grid or directly to the building In turn, the city earns income and reduces its electricity bills Our municipalities — from Harare to Gweru — could do the same By turning rooftops into mini-power stations, they create a dual benefit: reducing the strain on the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) and enhancing local financial autonomy
A single large building can host up to 100 kW or more of solar PV capacity Multiply that by hundreds of buildings, and you get megawatts of clean, local power — without touching the ground Schools, clinics, markets: Powering public institutions
Source: The Standard Zimbabwe
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Source: Thestandard
