HARARE – Harare residents have welcomed the ambitious Glen View pilot rent-a-roof renewable energy project to generate power set to be fed into the national grid.
The project is set to commence in the coming weeks.
Initially planned for 600 houses, the initiative has been scaled down to a leaner 400 homes in order to closely monitor its progress.
The project, pioneered by Zimbabwe Solar Energy Company (ZISEC), a subsidiary of Prevail Group International (PGI), aims to revolutionise the way solar energy is harvested and utilised across the country.
It promises to provide residents with a constant supply of clean power while significantly contributing to the national grid.
During a recent stakeholders meeting hosted by Combined Harare Residents (CHRA), over 300 residents from the high-density suburb expressed their support for the development.
Rueben Akili, the programmes officer of CHRA, welcomed the initiative and assured residents that they would advocate for their best interests in the contractual agreements with ZISEC.
“We welcome this developmental rent-a-roof initiative meant to cushion against load-shedding.
“As CHRA, we will play an advocacy role to ensure that the contractual agreements between ZISEC and residents serve the best interests of residents,” said Akili.
In the following weeks, some residents that endorsed the project are expected to sign forms to lease their rooftops to ZISEC.
A ZISEC delegation will conduct door-to-door campaigns to confirm that the residents who agree to lease their rooftops are property owners with proper documentation, and CHRA representatives will accompany them to ensure a mutually beneficial agreement.
Paul Tungwarara, the chairperson of PGI, explained that under the project, ZISEC would lease the roofs from Glen View residents for a negotiated fee in order to install solar panels and generate clean energy.
Tungwarara pointed out the economic, environmental, and social benefits of the rent-a-roof programme, including a reduced reliance on fossil fuels and the end of load-shedding for participating residents.
“The rent-a-roof initiative is an ideal way to harness this valuable resource without looking for prime land to set up solar farms while also benefiting Glen View’s community.
“The harvested solar energy will be fed directly into the national grid, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and making a significant ecological impact.
“Additionally, residents who participate in the programme can expect no load-shedding and financial benefits incentivizing their engagement towards a greener future,” said Tungwarara.
Happymore Chidziva, MP for Glen View North, praised the project for addressing load shedding and promoting renewable energy.
Chidziva also expressed his commitment to ensuring that the contracts signed would be favorable to the citizens and encouraged unity and peace within the community.
“This rent-a-roof project highlights an important shift towards renewable energy and community-centred initiatives which align with our national goal of sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint.
“As the representative of Ward 30 where this project will be launched, I will do my representative role to ensure the contracts that will be signed will not affect the citizens and will benefit from this programme.
“We welcome a developmental program to the community and nation at large. We will also play a representative role to ensure the employment facility is apolitical such that the citizens maintain the unity and peace in our society,” said Chidziva.
Charles Chidagu, the councillor for Glen View Ward 30, highlighted the importance of educating residents about the project and ensuring that they receive the agreed-upon fee.
“The project is not bad but I just feel the residents need to be educated enough before the installation of the solar panels because the residents think that they will benefit directly from the solar energy yet the generated energy will be directed to ZESA national grid and most of our roofs can be damaged.
“The (agreed negotiate fee) should constantly be given to the house owners.
“Finally, the project is not bad provided they stick to their promise to the residents and they should employ locals as opposed to bringing people from other areas.
“Again, they should not employ based on political affiliation,” said Chigadu.
Details regarding the fee structure for renting roofs are still being negotiated and will be finalised soon.
Residents are upbeat about the prospects of the project benefitting their community and the country as a whole.
Glen View’s rent-a-roof initiative positions Harare to become a national model for sustainable living and clean energy generation.
As the negotiations proceed and the project gains momentum, all eyes are on Glen View, eagerly anticipating the transformation it will bring to the lives of residents and the country as a whole.
