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Hybrid PV solutions gaining ground in commercial buildings across Mali
Introduction
Since 2023, Mali has been hit by a severe energy crisis. The country relies heavily on thermal power plants that run on imported fuel, which is both expensive and subject to international price fluctuations. Due to rapidly growing demand, chronic underinvestment in grid infrastructure, heavily indebted public energy companies, and import disruptions, Malian business and consumers face daily load shedding and outages – often lasting more than 12 hours. This crisis has triggered a veritable solar boom in the country that, until recently, had seen limited investment in renewable energy.
With battery prices falling, hybrid systems that enhance energy security and reduce reliance on costly diesel generators are becoming increasingly popular in Mali – particularly in office buildings, which depend on uninterrupted power supply.
Among the early adopters of this trend is SONAVIE, a leading insurance company based in Bamako. Aware of the operational risks associated with an unreliable energy supply, the company prioritized reducing its costly diesel consumption by investing in a hybrid solar PV system. This solution not only ensures a stable power supply for its office operations but also contributes to long-term energy cost savings.
Clean Energy for a Stable Office Environment
The project consists of a 56 kWp grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) system with an integrated 80 kWh battery storage solution, designed for self-consumption and backup power during outages and load shedding. This system ensures uninterrupted business operations for up to 4 hours without grid electricity, significantly reducing reliance on diesel-based backup.
In addition to its operational benefits, the investment reflects a growing commitment to sustainability within Mali’s financial sector. As Mohamed Marcel Diallo, Head of General Resources and Human Resources Department at SONAVIE, explains: “For us, switching to a solar system is a strategic choice – not only in terms of reducing energy costs over the long term, but also to actively contribute to preserving our environment.”
Support from the German Energy Solutions Initiative
The Project Development Programme (PDP) of the German Energy Solutions Initiative played a key role in identifying the project and advising management on the advantages of adopting solar energy. PDP carried out a comprehensive feasibility study, evaluating the technical and financial aspects of the project and determining the optimal system capacity, budget requirements, and expected return on investment.
Based on the positive findings, SONAVIE partnered with TYSILIO Deutschland GmbH, a German solution provider with proven experience in delivering hybrid solar systems. As Xavier Juin, Business Development Director at TYSILIO, explains: “Working on a new project in the tertiary sector with a renowned company like SONAVIE once again confirms that solar energy with storage is relevant not only for agriculture and industry. The support of the PDP allows Tysilio to approach all sectors of the Malian economy.”
The project was successfully implemented at the company’s headquarters in Bamako, offering a practical model for other commercial buildings in the country.
Scaling Up Solar in the Commercial Sector
SONAVIE is the first among several office buildings that PDP has assessed in recent months – demonstrating the growing relevance of hybrid PV systems in Mali’s commercial real estate sector. As interest rises across banking, insurance, and service industries, this segment is emerging as a promising field for German technology providers and solution developers.
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