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By Sona Solar Knowledge & Solar Systems Education Team

On January 26, 2026

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Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) to Measure Household Solar Power in Zimbabwe to Reveal the Nation’s Hidden Electricity Capacity

Published: Sona Solar Zimbabwe | Source: ZERA

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) is preparing to measure the solar electricity output of every home in the country in a bold move to uncover a vast, hidden network of private power.

Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA)

ZERA chief executive Edington Mazambani confirmed the authority is in the process of hiring a contractor to execute the massive nationwide survey. The goal is to map the invisible “shadow grid” created by household solar panels.

ZERA Update: “We are at the procurement stage for a contractor to undertake the study for the fieldwork. We need capacity to cover the whole country.” — Edington Mazambani

The Three Core Drivers

Why ZERA is launching this colossal audit:

1. Determine Electrification Rate

To accurately determine the true electrification rate of the country, moving beyond outdated census figures.

2. National Planning

To create a data-driven foundation for future national energy planning and infrastructure development.

3. Grid Integration

To anticipate and plan for the eventual integration of private solar power into the national grid.

A Nation Powered By Sunshine

The Silent Revolution

This decisive action follows a seismic and permanent shift in how Zimbabweans power their lives. Solar energy has evolved from a stopgap solution during prolonged blackouts to a primary, sustainable source of electricity for countless homes.

The Catalyst: A dramatic plunge in costs. A complete 3.2kVA solar system can now be installed for around US$1,000 (approx. ZAR 18,500), a fraction of its former price.

Outdated Data

This mass adoption has created an enormous, unmeasured stream of electricity flowing outside the official records. The government’s last known electrification rate was 62% from the 2022 census. That figure is now considered outdated, rendered inaccurate by the silent solar revolution occurring on rooftops nationwide.

The Great Grid Disconnect

Thousands of solar-powered homes are functioning as "Energy Islands".

The Infrastructure Gap

Energy expert Engineer Travor Sande detailed the infrastructure gap that traps surplus power:

“In many newly developed urban settlements, the national utility has yet to install basic power lines, creating a grid-less environment that makes it impossible for households to evacuate surplus solar energy to the national system. Without poles, lines, and substations, these homes remain energy islands.”

The Blueprint

The data from ZERA’s survey is expected to provide a crucial blueprint. It will show the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) exactly where to prioritise building new power lines and substations to connect these isolated producers and harvest their untapped energy.

The Push To Feed Power Back

Net Metering Appeal

Authorities are keen to see this hidden electricity flow into the national grid. Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo revealed last year that approximately 75 megawatts of solar power was already being fed back via net metering.

“If you have solar at your house, and you are not using it, mostly during the day, that is when we need more power during the day for industries, do your net metering,” Minister Moyo urged.

The Economics of "Prosumers"

This shift is reshaping the entire economics of power. A former senior ZESA executive explained the delicate balancing act:

“When customers become ‘prosumers’, it means ZESA loses some of its revenue. Recovering the same revenue from a reduced volume of energy means the unit price of energy has to increase… The real truth is that not every customer will be able to produce their own power so some will have to bear the increased price.”

ZERA’s plan to measure every home’s solar output is the critical first step in governing this new energy era.

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