Solar Power as an Alternative to Electricity in Sudan — But Who Can Afford It

Amid prolonged and recurring power outages and the rising cost of fuel needed to operate generators, increasing numbers of Sudanese households have found themselves turning to a third option that is no longer a luxury: solar energy.

But the question determining the fate of this transition is no longer, “Is solar energy a suitable solution?” It is a more pressing question: How much does it cost today, and who can actually afford it?

A Crisis Creating Demand

Behind the expansion of the solar energy market lies an electricity crisis that has existed for years but has worsened since the outbreak of war in April 2023. Power facilities and networks have been damaged, generation units and stations have repeatedly gone out of service, while persistent difficulties in securing fuel, spare parts, and maintenance have continued.

The damage has affected several major sources of power generation. The Bahri Thermal Power Station was destroyed after falling within conflict areas, while the Quraie thermal power stations were shut down. The Al-Shouk Power Station and Sennar Dam were also damaged, with their efficiency declining. The Ethiopian electricity interconnection line was cut off, while Merowe Dam suffered near-total collapses on three occasions since the war began as a result of attacks and technical failures. The latest occurred in early August, following a fire that affected one of its transmission lines, further worsening electricity supply in several states.

As outages continue, access to electricity has become directly linked to households’ ability to preserve food and medicines, operate cooling and communication devices, and enable workshops, shops, restaurants, and small businesses to continue operating. Under these circumstances, solar energy does not appear to many users to be a luxury, but rather a means of overcoming outages and reducing dependence on generators, whose operating costs have become closely tied to fuel prices and availability.

Lower Prices… High Costs

Solar energy system prices in Sudan have fallen significantly in recent years. According to prevailing market prices, an integrated solar system that sold for around $5,700 before the war now costs approximately $2,700, representing a decline of nearly half.

This decline is linked to lower global prices for solar energy components, particularly batteries, as well as importers shifting from small, scattered shipments to container-based imports. Exemptions from customs duties and other fees on solar energy inputs have also contributed to the decline.

Complete household solar systems currently range between 5 million and 10 million Sudanese pounds, depending on capacity, power output, and components. A system requires solar panels, an inverter, batteries, mounting structures, cables, protection equipment, and installation. The final cost therefore depends on what the household wants to operate, ranging from lighting and phone charging to refrigerators, cooling equipment, and washing machines.

However, lower component prices do not mean that solar energy has become affordable for everyone. The overall cost of a system remains substantial for households whose incomes have declined because of the war, currency depreciation, and the rising cost of living.

An Exemption… That Does Not Necessarily Reach Consumers

The decline in prices has coincided with a shift in the government’s approach to solar energy. Following controversy over fees imposed on solar panels in July, Prime Minister Kamil Idris issued a decision on 18 August 2026 exempting imported components of solar energy systems intended for personal use from customs duties, taxes, and all other government fees. Customs authorities began implementing the decision in practice during the first days of September.

The decision reduces part of the cost of importing solar equipment, but it does not necessarily mean that the final consumer price will fall by the same percentage. Exchange rates, shipping, transportation, storage, importers’ margins, and equipment quality continue to influence prices.

The real test of the exemption will therefore be in the market: Will the amount households actually pay go down?

Financing to Bridge the Gap

The government has also moved toward facilitating affordable financing for solar energy systems for personal use, in an attempt to address the inability of many households to pay the full cost upfront.

Sudanese banking institutions have begun offering financing products for the purchase of solar systems. Bank of Khartoum provides home financing of up to 10 million Sudanese pounds, repayable over 24 months. Al Baraka Bank offers financing of up to 5 million pounds, with repayment periods of up to 24 months. Irada Microfinance Company, affiliated with the Bank of Khartoum Group, also provides financing of up to 10 million pounds under a contracting-based arrangement, with repayment periods ranging from 12 to 24 months.

These products have transformed the cost of a solar system from a lump-sum payment into a monthly financial obligation. However, access remains dependent on household income, financing conditions, and the price of the system at the time of purchase.

The Solar Energy Market

Sudan’s solar energy market is experiencing remarkable expansion, driven by the worsening electricity crisis. Cities such as Port Sudan, Atbara, and Dongola have become important hubs for trading solar panels, batteries, and household and agricultural systems, alongside the expansion of import, distribution, installation, and maintenance businesses.

Purchases are increasingly focused on hybrid systems and batteries, particularly lithium batteries, as well as energy-efficient air-conditioning units. The spread of sales through social media platforms has also made it easier for consumers in different regions to access components and compare prices.

Market growth is not limited to households. Solar energy use has expanded in agriculture, small businesses, and services, creating additional demand for technicians, engineers, installation services, and maintenance.

As the market expands, quality is becoming as important as price. Differences in the specifications of panels, batteries, and inverters can make a cheaper system more expensive in the long run. This makes warranties, technical standards, installation quality, and maintenance services essential factors in protecting consumers.

The expansion of solar energy does not mean abandoning the national electricity grid. Factories, hospitals, water networks, and other infrastructure require a stable grid, while solar power provides a complementary solution for households, farms, and businesses and helps mitigate the impact of power outages.

Who Can Afford the Sun?

Sudan’s solar energy market reveals a clear paradox: costs have fallen significantly, but people’s ability to pay has not improved at the same pace. Falling component prices, customs exemptions, and lower costs for some systems are all expanding the market, but they do not automatically make solar energy accessible to low-income households.

The success of this transition will therefore not be measured simply by the number of solar panels entering the country. Ultimately, it will be measured by the ability of Sudanese households to obtain reliable electricity at a price they can afford.