Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — this is one of the main reasons Zimbabweans install solar. With a properly sized battery backup system, your home continues to receive power during ZESA outages. The inverter automatically switches to battery power the moment grid power fails, with no interruption to your appliances. During the day, solar panels simultaneously charge your batteries and power your home.

Solar panels typically last 25–30 years with minimal degradation (0.5% per year). Quality inverters last 10–15 years. Lithium LiFePO4 batteries last 10–15 years (3,000–6,000 charge cycles). Gel/AGM batteries typically last 3–7 years depending on usage and maintenance. With proper care, your solar investment continues producing returns long after payback.

For battery backup and off-grid systems (no grid feed-in), formal ZESA approval is generally not required, but we recommend informing your utility. For grid-tied systems that export power back to the ZESA grid, you will need approval from ZETDC and registration with ZERA. We assist all our clients with the necessary documentation and compliance requirements.

Yes — with a large enough system. Full home solar coverage (including geyser, air conditioning, appliances etc.) typically requires a 5–20kVA inverter, 10–30kWh of battery storage and 5–20kWp of solar panels, depending on your consumption. Our engineers will assess your usage and design a system to match. For most Zimbabwean homes, a well-sized hybrid system covers 90%+ of energy needs.

A standard inverter simply converts DC (battery/solar) to AC power and charges batteries from the grid. A hybrid inverter does all of this PLUS includes a built-in MPPT solar charge controller, allowing it to simultaneously charge batteries from solar panels while powering your home — all in one unit. Hybrid inverters are more versatile, efficient and increasingly affordable.

For a typical 3-bedroom home backing up lights, fans, TV, decoder, wifi and a fridge: a 3.6–5 kVA inverter is usually sufficient. If you want to run a geyser, air conditioning or multiple heavy appliances simultaneously, you'll need a 8–10 kVA system. Our engineers will analyse your actual usage and recommend the right size — getting this right the first time saves money.

Common inverter beeping causes include: low battery voltage, overload (too many appliances), high temperature, grid fault, or battery disconnect. Check your inverter's LCD screen for the error code and compare it to your user manual. For Deye inverters, common codes are F01 (overload), F06 (grid fault), F51 (battery low). If you can't resolve it, book a troubleshooting visit or send us a WhatsApp with the error code and photo.

Yes — most modern hybrid inverters (Deye, Solis, Victron) support generator input via AC coupling. The generator charges the batteries and powers the home when both solar and grid are unavailable. We can design and install a generator-solar hybrid system for maximum energy resilience.

Lithium LiFePO4 batteries are more expensive upfront but offer longer lifespan (3,000–6,000 cycles vs 500–1,200 for gel), deeper discharge (80–100% DoD vs 50% for gel), faster charging, lighter weight and better performance in heat. Gel batteries are cheaper initially and work with most inverters. For daily cycling under Zimbabwe's load-shedding conditions, lithium batteries are almost always the better long-term investment.

This depends on your load (watts) and required backup hours. A simple formula: Battery capacity (Wh) = Total load (W) × Backup hours ÷ 0.8 (efficiency). For example, a 500W load requiring 12 hours backup needs: 500 × 12 ÷ 0.8 = 7,500Wh = 7.5kWh. For 48V systems: 7,500 ÷ 48 = 156Ah minimum. Use our solar calculator for a precise recommendation.

Lithium batteries are virtually maintenance-free. For gel/AGM batteries: (1) Never discharge below 50%; (2) Ensure proper ventilation; (3) Check connections for corrosion every 3–6 months; (4) Equalise charge every few months (if your charger supports it); (5) Keep batteries clean and at moderate temperature; (6) Have a professional battery health check annually.

A standard residential solar installation (inverter + battery + panels) typically takes 1–2 days. Very large systems (8kWp+) or complex DB work may take 2–3 days. A basic inverter and battery backup without solar panels is usually completed in 4–8 hours. We always clean up after ourselves and hand over a fully operational, tested system.

We recommend you or a trusted representative be present, especially for the initial assessment and final handover. This allows us to confirm load requirements, show you how to operate your system and answer questions. For simple installations, a caretaker or household member can grant access.

When installed correctly by certified professionals, solar panels do not damage your roof. We use proper mounting hardware designed for IBR, tile and flat roofs — with waterproof flashing and anti-corrosion fixings. Our installation teams are experienced in working on all roof types common in Zimbabwe.

Prices vary significantly based on system size and product choice. As a rough guide: a basic inverter + battery backup starts from USD 800–1,500. A family solar system (inverter + lithium battery + panels) starts from USD 2,500–5,000. A large premium home system can cost USD 12,000–30,000+. Use our solar calculator or request a quote for your specific requirements.

Yes — we offer flexible payment options. These include deposit-based payment (pay a deposit, balance on delivery/completion), monthly instalment arrangements, and referrals to solar financing partners. We also accept EcoCash, PayNow, ZIPIT, Visa/Mastercard and cash. Contact us to discuss the best payment option for your budget.

Most Zimbabwean home solar systems pay back their cost within 3–6 years. This depends on your ZESA bill, system size and usage pattern. After payback, you essentially receive free electricity for another 15–20+ years. With Zimbabwe's rising electricity costs and ongoing load-shedding, the financial case for solar has never been stronger.

All our products come with manufacturer warranties (typically 1–5 years for inverters, 5–10 years for lithium batteries, 25 years for solar panels). In addition, Home Owners Energy provides a workmanship warranty on all our installations — meaning we fix any faults caused by our installation work at no charge. See our full warranty page for details.

Contact us via WhatsApp, phone or our support form. Our technicians will remotely diagnose the issue where possible, or arrange an on-site fault visit. If the inverter is under warranty, repairs or replacement are covered. We carry spare parts for all major brands we sell and can usually resolve faults within 24–48 hours.

Yes — we deliver nationwide to all major cities including Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, Gweru, Masvingo, Kwekwe, Chinhoyi and more. Delivery fees depend on location and order size. Free delivery is available within Harare on orders over USD 500.

Yes — collection from our Harare office is available at no extra charge. You'll receive a notification when your order is ready to collect, typically within 24 hours of payment confirmation.

We accept EcoCash, PayNow Zimbabwe, ZIPIT/bank transfer, Visa/Mastercard (online), cash on collection/delivery, and manual proof of payment upload. For large orders, we can arrange invoice payment and structured payment plans.