"Even the Sun is Being Stolen": How Zimbabwe's Solar Boom Became a Scam
Investigation: Truth Diggers | Market Status: 60% Substandard | Risk: High
With Zimbabwe facing severe power cuts and load shedding of up to 18 hours daily, households and businesses are rapidly turning to solar energy for reliable electricity. Rooftops across Harare glint with solar panels, and solar shops are appearing on every street.
Yet behind this solar boom lies a hidden danger: a surge of fake solar products, uncertified installers, and hazardous e-waste, putting consumers’ safety and investments at serious risk.
The Desperate Rush
With a national deficit of 1,000 MW, solar is no longer a luxury; it is survival.
SURGE IN IMPORTS
ZimStat Data (2022)
Over US$45 Million worth of solar equipment entered Zimbabwe, double the 2019 figures.
THE PROMISE
When It Works
Farmers like Tendai Chiweshe saved their harvest with solar pumps. Barbers like Edmore Chiwa doubled their income.
A Market of Fakes
ZERA's Warning
The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) estimates that up to 60% of solar products on the market are substandard, imported cheaply from Asia without certification.
Consumers are buying "300-watt panels" that barely produce 100 watts. Lithium batteries, promised to last a decade, are collapsing within months. This creates a cycle of poverty where families spend savings on junk.
A parallel boom in online sellers has led to "installers" with zero electrical training. One admitted: "We just follow YouTube tutorials. If the customer complains, we tell them the problem is the battery."
Lives and Money Lost
FINANCIAL RUIN
Case Study: Chipo Ncube
"I lost US$1,200. The dealer installed panels that never charged. When I went back, the shop had closed."
FATAL ACCIDENTS
Safety Crisis
In 2023 alone, 45 deaths from electrical incidents were recorded, many linked to faulty installations.
A Toxic Legacy
Environmental expert O’bren Tapuwa Nhachi warns that fake products break down quickly and are dumped improperly. They contain toxic chemicals like lead, mercury, and cadmium that pollute Zimbabwe's soil and water.
Development practitioner Takemore Mazuruse notes a cruel irony: When poor-quality solar systems fail, families revert to firewood, fueling the very deforestation the solar panels were meant to stop.
Why Sona Solar Zimbabwe Is Your Best Protection Against Solar Scams
Sona Solar Zimbabwe works exclusively with trained and certified solar technicians. This eliminates the biggest scam risk in the country: unqualified installers who damage equipment, cut corners, or supply fake components.
Unlike informal traders selling counterfeit or substandard solar products, Sona Solar Zimbabwe supplies authentic, top-tier brands—including Must, SVolt, EVolt, and other verified systems designed for Zimbabwe’s energy demands.
From site assessment and product supply to installation and maintenance, Sona Solar Zimbabwe provides a full, end-to-end solar solution. This structured approach prevents the common scam cycle of “buying here, installing there, and getting no accountability anywhere.”
Sona Solar Zimbabwe believes in clear, upfront pricing. A standard 3kW residential solar system ranges between $1,500–$2,500, including professional installation and a workmanship warranty. No inflated quotations. No surprise charges. No tricks.
Every installation comes with a workmanship warranty and product support. These protections are rare among informal installers—and they are one of the strongest signs you are working with a legitimate, accountable solar provider.
With thousands of satisfied customers across Zimbabwe and high ratings on Google Reviews, Sona Solar Zimbabwe has built a reputation rooted in reliability, professionalism, and long-term value. This community trust is one of the strongest shields against scams.
Saving the Sun
"Genuine suppliers are competing with briefcase dealers selling junk." — Edzai Kachirekwa
REGULATION
ZERA's Plan
ZERA CEO Edington Mazambani confirms work on new regulations to control import quality and the creation of a national installer register.
CONSUMER ACTION
Buy Authentic
Avoid roadside deals. Purchase only from established, reputable companies such as Sona Solar Zimbabwe and other certified suppliers who provide genuine products, transparent pricing, warranties, and professional installation.
"In Zimbabwe, even the sun is being stolen from us." — Frustrated Customer
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David (Solar Sales)