US$20m debt finance for Zola Energy will push solar-plus-storage into four new African countries

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Image: ZOLA Energy.

Zola Energy, one of two US-headquartered providers of off-grid solar-plus-storage solutions to the African continent profiled in Energy-Storage.news’ recent Global Storage Opportunity 2018 report, has obtained US$20 million debt financing.

Sunfunder, a solar energy financier group ‘majority-based’ in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, contributed US$5 million towards the latest debt finance deal for Zola, while an unnamed “values-aligned family office” took care of the remainder. It is the third time Sunfunder has brokered a deal of this nature with the company. Zola said the family office also acted as arranger.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Zola was until recently known as Off Grid Electric, leasing or selling solar home kits to individual households in Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and the Ivory Coast.

To read the full version of this story visit Energy-Storage.news.

2 February 2027
London, UK
Returning in 2027 for its 14th edition, Solar & Storage Finance Europe will bring together the brightest minds representing funds, banks, developers, utilities, government and industry across Europe and the UK on a programme that is solutions-focused from top to tail. The event is designed to enable leaders at the forefront of solar and storage investment and deployment in Europe to scale, learn and land themselves industry defining partnerships.

Read Next

August 18, 2026
Windlab & Squadron Energy have referred a 500MW solar-plus-storage site to Australia's federal government for assessment under the EPBC Act.
August 18, 2026
The Australian and New South Wales (NSW) governments have jointly committed AU$2.5 billion (US$1.63 billion) to secure the future of the Tomago Aluminium smelter.
August 14, 2026
Mainstream Renewable Power’s 50MW C&I Ilikwa PV Facility in South Africa’s Free State province has reached commercial operation.
August 12, 2026
Scatec has started commercial operations at the second and final phase of its gigawatt-scale Obelisk solar-plus-storage project in Egypt.
August 10, 2026
US installer Sunrun has reversed recent declines in PV and energy storage installations in the second quarter of 2026, but trimmed its forecasts for the year.
August 10, 2026
An independent review of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has recommended 14 changes to the organisation's governance framework.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
February 2, 2027
London, UK
Solar Media Events
April 20, 2027
Istanbul, Türkiye