By Simbarashe Muparaganda
Bulawayo, (New Ziana)- The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has been implored to step up inspections of solar products and encourage local manufacturing as this could help protect quality standards and make warranties and guarantees easier to enforce.
This was said by Tinashe Gwadzoka, a solar contractors in Bulawayo, on the sidelines of a ZERA pre- strategy stakeholders consultation and feedback workshop on Monday.
The meeting sought to follow up on energy issues raised in 2025, and will provide feedback to the stakeholders and gather issues pertaining to the energy sector.
Gwadzoka raised concerns about counterfeit and substandard panels, inverters and batteries entering a fast-growing market.
He stressed that local production could give regulators a clearer way to monitor product standards while helping contractors secure reliable guarantees for customers.
“ZERA can also look into that and encourage local production or local manufacturing of solar products, so that it becomes easier for monitoring the standards and also when it comes to issues of warranties and guarantees,” he said.
He implored the regulator to make routine checks at shops selling solar equipment and use testing equipment it has acquired to assess panels, inverters and batteries.
Gwadzoka recalled one inspection in which a ZERA representative tested two brands of solar panels at his shop.
“One failed the test and was withdrawn from sale, while the other passed.
“That was the only time when I saw ZERA doing what they are supposed to do on that,” he noted, calling for more frequent inspections.
Gwadzoka said the influx of low-priced products was creating unfair competition as customers often chose cheaper components over products that meet required standards.
“The poor-quality equipment can put customers at risk and makes it difficult for contractors to offer dependable warranties when suppliers provide no guarantees.
“ZERA should also expand training for solar installers and keep it aligned with advances in technology,” he said.
The contractor suggested online courses so prospective installers could study at their convenience, rather than relying only on annual training sessions.
He warned that misinformation on social media was giving customers unrealistic expectations, including claims that solar panels are “all weather”.
“Such claims make it harder for professional contractors to explain the technical requirements of a proper installation.
“Clients readily go or engage contractors who sustain that false information,” Gwadzoka said, adding that legitimate advice can be difficult to communicate when misleading claims are widespread.
He also highlighted the problems caused by unskilled installers and poorly wired homes.
“In some cases, contractors arrive to install a solar system and find a large house supplied by only one or two circuits, making it difficult to separate loads appropriately,” he explained.
Gwadzoka also urged ZERA to engage the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) on wiring standards for new houses, noting that poor wiring can complicate solar installations.
He further implored ZERA and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to plan for the disposal and recycling of solar equipment.
“With imports rising, Zimbabwe will face growing volumes of spent panels, inverters and batteries, yet lacks large-scale recycling infrastructure.
“Those dead solar batteries, solar components, eventually, because there is no formal infrastructure for disposal, they will eventually find their way back into the market,” he cautioned.
ZERA chief executive, Edington Mazambani said the authority had procured state-of-the-art equipment to inspect solar products, adding that inspectors would intensify checks to ensure compliance.
“We have procured state-of-the-art equipment to inspect solar products, and our inspectors will be out in full force to ensure compliance,” he said.
New Ziana
