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🇸🇳 Solar Calculator Senegal

Enter your monthly SENELEC bill and region — get solar system size, XOF cost, ANER rural program info, diesel genset replacement savings, and payback period for Senegalese homes and businesses.

Your electricity details
XOF (CFA)
Solar system results — Senegal
5 kWp system — 1606 kWh/kWp/yr (5.5 PSH)
Monthly kWh usage321 kWh/mo
Annual solar production8 030 kWh/yr
SENELEC self-consumption savings449 680 XOF/yr
Total annual benefit449 680 XOF/yr
SENELEC rate used140 XOF/kWh (XOF 100–180 tiered)
Net meteringNone — self-consumption only
System cost range3 500 000 – 5 000 000 XOF
Total installed cost (midpoint)4 250 000 XOF
Payback period9.5 years
25-year net savings6 992 000 XOF
ANER program: Agence Nationale des Energies Renouvelables supports rural off-grid solar and commercial solar. Check aner.sn for current project funding opportunities and installer certification.
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How to Use This Calculator

Enter your monthly bill and region

Enter your average monthly SENELEC electricity bill in West African CFA Francs (XOF). SENELEC's tiered tariff ranges from XOF 100/kWh for low consumption to XOF 180/kWh for higher brackets (~$0.16–0.30 USD) — some of West Africa's highest electricity prices. This makes Senegal one of the region's most attractive solar markets on pure economics. Select your region — Tambacounda in eastern Senegal (5.9 PSH) is the sunniest, and all regions offer excellent 5.4–5.9 PSH solar resources.

The genset replacement opportunity

Senegal's real solar opportunity extends beyond SENELEC bill savings. SENELEC's grid — particularly in Dakar — is notoriously unreliable, leading most businesses and many homes to run diesel generators as backup power. At XOF 320+ per kWh in true cost (fuel, maintenance, depreciation), diesel generators make solar + battery storage an outstanding investment. Businesses replacing gensets with solar achieve payback in 3–5 years — among the most compelling economics in West Africa.

ANER and rural solar programs

Senegal's Agence Nationale des Energies Renouvelables (ANER) supports off-grid rural solar electrification. Senegal's Plan Sénégal Emergent targets 30% renewables by 2030, and ANER coordinates funding from IFC, African Development Bank, and European donors for rural mini-grids and Solar Home Systems. Off-grid village systems 2–5kWp are highly cost-effective alternatives to diesel generators and kerosene lighting.

The Formula

Monthly kWh = Monthly Bill ÷ XOF 140/kWh (blended SENELEC rate) Annual production = kWp × PSH × 365 × 0.80 efficiency Self-consumption = Annual kWh × 40% (grid-tied without battery) Self-consumption savings = Self-consumed kWh × XOF 140/kWh Diesel genset savings = Displaced kWh × XOF 320/kWh (true cost) System cost = kWp × XOF 700,000–1,000,000/kWp (~$1,150–1,650/kWp) No net metering — self-consumption and genset avoidance only Payback = Total cost ÷ Annual benefit (3–5yr genset; 6–8yr SENELEC only)

Senegal's electricity sector is dominated by SENELEC, a state utility with chronic reliability issues stemming from aging infrastructure and rapid demand growth. The government's Plan Sénégal Emergent and Teranga Power Program target significant renewable capacity additions. Senegal's renewable energy agency CRSE (Commission de Régulation du Secteur de l'Electricité) oversees the sector. No formal residential net metering scheme existed as of 2026, though the regulatory framework continues to evolve.

Example

Fatou — Dakar home with genset replacement, 5kWp

Fatou runs a busy household in Dakar with a monthly SENELEC bill of XOF 45,000. SENELEC outages are frequent, forcing use of a diesel generator at XOF 320/kWh true cost. She installs a 5kWp system with battery storage to eliminate the genset.

Monthly billXOF 45,000
Region / PSHDakar, 5.5 PSH
System size5 kWp
Genset replacementYes — XOF 320/kWh diesel

Result

Annual production~8,030 kWh/yr
Production per kWp~1,606 kWh/kWp/yr
SENELEC savings~XOF 448,680/yr
Diesel genset savings~XOF 772,032/yr
Total annual benefit~XOF 1,220,712/yr
System cost~XOF 3,500,000–5,000,000
Payback~2.9–4.1 years
25-year net savings~XOF 25,817,800

Dakar's combination of 5.5 PSH, high SENELEC tariffs, and rampant diesel genset use makes solar one of the world's most compelling economic cases. The genset replacement savings nearly double the annual benefit. ANER certification of installers and CRSE grid connection requirements should be verified before installation. Many Dakar businesses have achieved sub-3-year payback through this model.

FAQ

Absolutely — Senegal is one of West Africa's most compelling solar markets. High SENELEC tariffs (XOF 100–180/kWh), excellent solar radiation (5.4–5.9 PSH), and widespread diesel genset use combine to make solar payback 3–5 years for genset-replacing users and 6–8 years for pure SENELEC bill reduction. Hotels, commercial buildings, and industrial facilities in Dakar, Thiès, and Saint-Louis have been early adopters with strong returns.
Senegal does not have a formal residential net metering scheme as of 2026. Grid-tied solar economics rely on self-consumption only — exported electricity is not compensated. This means right-sizing the system to your consumption and adding battery storage are critical for maximizing solar value in Senegal. The regulatory framework is evolving under CRSE oversight, and net metering provisions may be introduced as grid reliability improves.
ANER (Agence Nationale des Energies Renouvelables) coordinates Senegal's rural renewable energy programs, primarily off-grid solar electrification for villages and communities without SENELEC grid access. ANER works with international funders (IFC, AfDB, EU, USAID) to deploy Solar Home Systems and mini-grids in rural Senegal. ANER also certifies solar installers and products. Visit aner.sn for current programs. For commercial grid-connected solar, CRSE (Commission de Régulation du Secteur de l'Electricité) is the regulatory body.
Installed solar in Senegal costs approximately XOF 700,000–1,000,000 per kWp (~$1,150–1,650 USD/kWp). A 5kWp home system costs XOF 3,500,000–5,000,000. Prices vary significantly by installer quality and equipment origin. Senegal has a growing local installation industry in Dakar, Thiès, and Saint-Louis. Equipment is primarily imported from China. Adding battery storage (lithium, typically) adds XOF 200,000–400,000 per kWh of capacity. Financing through local banks at 10–15% annual interest is available from institutions like Ecobank and UBA Senegal.

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