By: Solar quarter

At the end of June, SANY officially began construction of a 10MW photovoltaic power plant in Zimbabwe, marking a significant milestone as its first solar project in the country and the first in Africa to implement its innovative “EP+F” business model. This model, which combines engineering, procurement, and financing into a tailored solution, aims to ease financial barriers for customers and make clean energy projects more accessible and sustainable in emerging markets. The project is being developed in collaboration with a Chinese mining company and reflects SANY’s broader strategy to support Africa’s energy transformation through innovative renewable solutions.

The solar plant will utilize SANY’s self-developed 710 high-efficiency photovoltaic modules, along with advanced inverters and high-strength support brackets. With a total installed capacity of 10MW, the plant is expected to be connected to the grid by the end of 2025. Once operational, it will generate approximately 18 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually. This will help alleviate Zimbabwe’s power shortages, provide reliable electricity to local industries and communities, and contribute to the region’s transition toward low-carbon energy sources.

This project represents the first use of the “EP+F” model by SANY Silicon Energy and serves as a replicable framework for future international renewable energy projects. By integrating financial solutions into the engineering and procurement process, the model helps reduce the upfront financial burden on customers and increases the feasibility of adopting clean energy technologies in developing regions. Encouraged by the success of this partnership, the customer has shown interest in expanding cooperation with SANY into areas such as microgrids, electric trucks, and EV charging infrastructure.

While this is SANY’s first solar plant in Zimbabwe, it is not the company’s first renewable energy initiative in Africa. In late 2024, SANY completed the Mining Microgrid Power Project in Zambia, which became the continent’s first and largest “solar + storage + diesel” integrated energy project. The first phase of that project, completed in just four months, is already generating around 16 million kWh annually and has reduced electricity costs by over RMB 20 million for the customer, accounting for nearly 30% of their total production expenses. Since then, SANY has signed three additional microgrid projects in Zambia, reinforcing its role in Africa’s clean energy transition.

With a partnership in Africa spanning over 23 years, SANY has evolved from being an equipment provider to becoming a long-term development partner focused on sustainability. Today, SANY operates 15 subsidiaries and has branches in more than 30 countries across the continent. Its equipment is used in over 50 countries and regions, supported by 13 trusted dealers. More than 50% of SANY’s workforce in Africa is locally hired, creating over 5,000 job opportunities. Moving forward, the company aims to strengthen local supply chains and continue supporting Africa’s green energy and economic growth through technology, investment, and inclusive development.