The ongoing electricity crisis in the country has become a blessing in disguise for Bulawayo shops trading in renewable energy gadgets such as solar panels.
The rolling blackouts have resulted in businesses and households going for up to 18 hours a day without electricity.
A sales representative at Electrical Sales in Bulawayo Central Business District told ZimLive that they have registered an increase in sales in the past few weeks. Said the salesperson:
We have witnessed an increase in sales of solar panels, inverters, and batteries in the past few weeks.
Our largest market for solar used to be businesses. Now we are noticing a shift as clients enquire about household use.
In a day, we have about 30 inquiries or so. Clients want to understand how it works and the costs; then they come back when they get the money.
A sales representative at Halsted Builders Express who preferred anonymity told ZimLive that demand for solar power systems was becoming higher. He said:
During the festive season, we always record high sales of solar panels, especially from our clients in rural areas.
This time around, we have seen many clients purchasing solar power systems due to load shedding.
A survey conducted by ZimLive in Bulawayo CBD established that a 1kilovolt (kva) solar system ranged from US$1 000 to US$1 200. This powers 4 lights, a television, WIFI, and a decoder. | ZimLive