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🇹🇿 Solar Calculator Tanzania

Enter your TANESCO monthly bill and region — get solar system size, off-grid generator replacement savings, TANESCO self-consumption value, and 25-year payback in Tanzanian Shillings (TSh).

Your electricity details
TShTZS
Solar system results — Tanzania
5 kWp system — 1606 kWh/kWp/yr
Monthly kWh usage429 kWh/mo
Annual solar production8,030 kWh/yr
Self-consumption savingsTSh 983,675/yr
Total annual benefitTSh 1,244,650/yr
System cost rangeTSh 9,000,000 – TSh 12,500,000
Total installed cost (midpoint)TSh 10,750,000
USD equivalent (≈ $1 = TSh 2,550)$4,216
Payback period8.6 years
25-year net savingsTSh 20,366,250
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How to Use This Calculator

Enter your monthly bill and region

Enter your average monthly TANESCO (Tanzania Electric Supply Company) electricity bill in Tanzanian Shillings (TSh). For households without grid access — roughly 40% of Tanzania's population — enter your monthly spend on diesel fuel, kerosene, or candles as a baseline comparison. The calculator uses a blended TANESCO retail rate of TSh 350/kWh (tiered rates run TSh 250–500/kWh). Select your region — Dodoma (6.0 PSH) on the central plateau is the sunniest, while Iringa and Mbeya (5.4 PSH) in the Southern Highlands receive somewhat less radiation due to higher elevation cloud cover.

Grid-tied vs. off-grid

Tanzania's urban grid (TANESCO) can experience 6–12 hours of planned load shedding per day even in Dar es Salaam. Off-grid solar is common even in cities for reliability. About 40% of Tanzania's rural population has no grid access at all — for them, solar replaces diesel generators costing approximately TSh 1,333/kWh in fuel alone (diesel at TSh 4,000/litre, ~3kWh/litre output). REA (Rural Energy Agency) coordinates rural electrification and offers subsidies for qualifying off-grid systems.

System sizing and costs

Solar installation costs in Tanzania range from TSh 1,800,000–2,500,000/kWp (approximately $700–1,000/kWp USD), reflecting import duties on equipment, local installation costs, and supply chain constraints. Typical residential Dar es Salaam homes install 3–5kWp. Tourism lodges in Arusha often install 15–30kWp. Off-grid systems require battery storage — plan for an additional TSh 1,500,000–3,000,000 for a 10kWh lithium battery pack.

The Formula

Monthly kWh = Monthly Bill ÷ TSh 350/kWh (blended TANESCO rate) Annual production = kWp × PSH × 365 × 0.80 efficiency Self-consumption = Annual kWh × 35% (grid-tied) or 70% (off-grid) Self-consumption savings = Self-consumed kWh × TSh 350/kWh Generator replacement = Exported kWh × TSh 1,333/kWh (diesel fuel cost) System cost = kWp × TSh 1,800,000–2,500,000/kWp Payback = Total cost ÷ Annual benefit

Tanzania has no standardized TANESCO net metering program for private solar as of 2026 — surplus grid export has minimal credited value for most customers. Self-consumption maximization is therefore key. TANESCO is piloting some grid-connection schemes for larger commercial systems. The Electricity Act 2008 and subsequent amendments govern independent power production. Check with EWURA (Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority) for the latest grid interconnection rules for systems above 10kWp.

Example

Amina — Dar es Salaam home, 5kWp grid-tied

Amina pays TSh 150,000/month for her family home in Dar es Salaam. She installs a 5kWp rooftop solar system to reduce TANESCO bills and gain independence from load shedding.

Monthly billTSh 150,000
Region / PSHDar es Salaam, 5.5 PSH
System size5 kWp
TypeGrid-tied

Result

Monthly kWh usage~429 kWh/mo
Annual production~8,030 kWh/yr
Production per kWp~1,606 kWh/kWp/yr
Self-consumption savingsTSh ~980,000/yr
System costTSh 10,750,000 (midpoint)
USD equivalent~$4,200
Payback~11 years
25-year net savingsTSh ~13,750,000

Tanzania's excellent 5.5 PSH in Dar es Salaam means strong production (~1,606 kWh/kWp/yr). The relatively low TANESCO retail rate slows payback vs. countries with higher grid prices, but the off-grid and load-shedding resilience value is considerable. Battery storage would further improve self-consumption to ~70% and provide night-time power.

FAQ

Yes — Tanzania has excellent solar resources (5.4–6.0 PSH across regions), and solar addresses two major problems: frequent TANESCO load shedding and the 40% of the population without grid access at all. For off-grid rural households, solar eliminates diesel generator costs of TSh 1,333+/kWh in fuel, making payback very fast. For urban Dar es Salaam homes, solar provides grid backup and reduces bills. Dodoma (6.0 PSH) and Arusha (5.8 PSH) are particularly strong locations.
TANESCO uses tiered tariffs: residential domestic customers pay a fixed charge plus per-kWh rates that range from approximately TSh 250/kWh for the first 50 units to TSh 500/kWh for higher consumption bands. Commercial and industrial tariffs are higher. TANESCO tariffs are set by EWURA (Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority) and have been increasing annually to reflect fuel and infrastructure costs. Check TANESCO's website or EWURA for current approved tariff schedules.
As of 2026, Tanzania does not have a standardized retail net metering program equivalent to those in South Africa or Kenya. TANESCO is piloting grid-interconnection for some larger commercial and industrial solar systems, and the Electricity Act allows for power purchase arrangements with small power producers. For residential grid-tied systems, surplus solar is typically exported with minimal or no credit. Self-consumption maximization — ideally with battery storage — is the recommended strategy.
REA (Rural Energy Agency) is a Tanzanian government body mandated to increase rural electrification. REA coordinates subsidies for off-grid solar systems, solar home systems (SHS), and mini-grid projects in areas without TANESCO grid access. Qualifying rural households can receive subsidies covering 20–30% of system costs. REA-approved solar companies include Zola Electric (formerly Off-Grid Electric), Azuri Technologies, and local Tanzanian installers. Visit REA's website or your regional district council office for subsidy eligibility.
Dodoma (6.0 PSH) is Tanzania's sunniest region — the capital sits on the dry central plateau with consistent sunshine year-round. Arusha (5.8 PSH) benefits from high elevation and relatively dry conditions despite being near Kilimanjaro. Zanzibar (5.7 PSH) and Mwanza (5.6 PSH) on Lake Victoria are also excellent. Iringa and Mbeya (5.4 PSH) in the Southern Highlands receive slightly less radiation due to higher cloud cover from Indian Ocean moisture. Even the lowest-PSH regions produce over 1,500 kWh/kWp/yr — very strong by global standards.

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