Rooftop Solar Systems

A 500 kW captive solar power plant installed on the roof of a leading pipes producing factory in Kenya

Photo by Shutterstock

Rooftop Solar Systems
SectorMost major industry classification systems use sources of revenue as their basis for classifying companies into specific sectors, subsectors and industries. In order to group like companies based on their sustainability-related risks and opportunities, SASB created the Sustainable Industry Classification System® (SICS®) and the classification of sectors, subsectors and industries in the SDG Investor Platform is based on SICS.
Renewable Resources and Alternative Energy
Alternative Energy
Business Model Description

Develop and operate rooftop solar energy systems to provide lighting and energy for other domestic and industrial uses, such as refrigerators, water heaters and other appliances, for residential and industrial consumers specifically in areas where the national grid does not reach.

Expected Impact

Enhance energy supply for consumptive and productive purposes in areas where the national electricity grid does not reach.

Indicative ReturnDescribes the rate of growth an investment is expected to generate within the IOA. The indicative return is identified for the IOA by establishing its Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Return of Investment (ROI) or Gross Profit Margin (GPM).
10% - 15% (in IRR)
Investment TimeframeDescribes the time period in which the IOA will pay-back the invested resources. The estimate is based on asset expected lifetime as the IOA will start generating accumulated positive cash-flows.
Medium Term (5–10 years)
Market SizeDescribes the value of potential addressable market of the IOA. The market size is identified for the IOA by establishing the value in USD, identifying the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) or providing a numeric unit critical to the IOA.
< USD 50 million
Average Ticket Size (USD)Describes the USD amount for a typical investment required in the IOA.
< USD 500,000
Direct ImpactDescribes the primary SDG(s) the IOA addresses.
Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9) Climate Action (SDG 13)
Indirect ImpactDescribes the secondary SDG(s) the IOA addresses.
Good health and well-being (SDG 3) Gender Equality (SDG 5)
Ensol photo
Photo by Ensol
Case Study: Ensol meets the demand for reliable and clean energy in Tanzania
In the past 20 years, the production and distribution of energy in Tanzania have faced enormous challenges, including capacity shortages, low reliability of the power supply - which is publicly owned, and lack of private investments. Ensol, a GSIV Tanzania finalist, works on meeting the demand for reliable and clean energy by offering renewable energy solutions and providing engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) services to public and private clients. The company provides services such as solar water pumping, solar street lighting, solar water heating and solar minigrids.
Sector Sources
  • 1) United Republic of Tanzania, 2021. Third National Five-Year Plan. 2) United Republic of Tanzania, 2015. National Energy Policy. 3) World Future Council, 2017. Climate Action Network for Tanzania, Policy Road Map for 100% Renewable Energy and Poverty Eradication in Tanzania. 4) Institute for Sustainable Futures, 2017. A 100% Renewable Energy for Tanzania, Access to Renewable Energy all within One Generation. 5) African Development Bank, 2017. Gender Country Briefs – Tanzania. 6) United Nations Development Programme, 2015. Tanzania’s Se4All Investment Prospectus. 7) German Technical Cooperation, 2007. Eastern Africa Resource Base: GTZ Online Regional Energy Resource Base: Regional and Country Specific Energy Resource Database: IV - Energy Policy. 8) Clean Technologies, 2018.The Potential Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development in Tanzania: A Review. 9) International Network on Gender & Sustainable Energy, 2011. Mainstreaming Gender in Energy Projects. A Practical Handbook. 10) SmartSolar Tanzania, 2022. The Information Platform for Solar in Tanzania, Smartsolar. www.tanzania.com/solar-sector-information/regulations-for-solar-in-tanzania. 11) Mashauri Adam Kusekwa, 2013. Biomass Conversion to Energy in Tanzania: A Critique. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/40651.
IOA Sources
  • 12) Clean Technologies, 2018. The Potential Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development in Tanzania: A Review. 13) United States Agency for International Development, 2019. Off-Grid Solar Market Assessment Tanzania. 14) Mathew Matimbwi et al, 2020. Tanzania Energy Situation. 15) United Nations Climate Change, 2020. A Mobisol Smart Solar Homes, Rwanda and Tanzania. 16) United States Agency for International Development, 2022. Tanzania Power Africa Fact Sheet. https://www.usaid.gov/powerafrica/tanzania. 17) GET.INVEST, 2022. Market Insights, Uganda: Captive Power Case Study: 300 kWp Rooftop Solar PV System at an Office Building. https://www.get-invest.eu/market-insights. 18) Tanzania Invest, 2220. https://www.tanzaniainvest.com. 19) International Trade Administration, 2021. Energy Resource Guide, Tanzania. 20) The UK Department for International Development (DFID), 2019. Tanzania Market Snapshot, Horticulture Value Chains and Potential for Solar Water Pump Technology. 21) United Republic of Tanzania, 2010. Public-Private Partnership Act. No. 18. 22) United Republic of Tanzania, 2022. Standard Incentives for Investors. https://investment-guide.eac.in. 23) International Trade Administration, 2021. Tanzania - Country Commercial Guide. https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/tanzania-energy. 24) Tanzania Energy Situation, Energypedia, 2020. https://energypedia.info/wiki/Tanzania_Energy_Situation. 25) Global SDG Indicator Platform, 2022. https://sdg.tracking-progress.org/indicator/9-4-1-carbon-dioxide-emissions-per-unit-of-value-added/?tab=map. 26) United Republic of Tanzania, 2021. Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs). 27) Renewable Energy in Africa, 2015. Tanzania Country Profile. 28) Access of Civil Society Organisations for Clean Energy Access, 2016. Energy access in Tanzania: the Role of Civil Society Organisations. 29) The Global Economy, 2022. https://www.theglobaleconomy.com/Tanzania/carbon_dioxide_emissions. 30) United States Agency for International Development, 2018. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Factsheet: Tanzania. https://www.climatelinks.org/resources/greenhouse-gas-emissions-factsheet-tanzania. 31) Huria Journal Vol 26 (1), March 2019. AligHnment to Climate Compatible Development: A Content Analysis of the Tanzania National Energy Policy. 32) United Republic of Tanzania, 2003. National Energy Policy. 33) United Republic of Tanzania, 2013. The National Rural Electrification Program. 32) United Republic of Tanzania, 2015. National Energy Policy. 34) United Republic of Tanzania, 2005. Rural Energy Act. 35) United Republic of Tanzania, 2006. Energy and Water Utilities Authority Act. 36) United Republic of Tanzania, 2016. Energy Access Situation Report.