Guide · C&I solar · Egypt
Solar for factories in Egypt: a practical guide
Factories, cold stores, warehouses and other commercial sites in Egypt use most of their power in daylight hours, which is exactly when solar produces. This guide explains the options, what makes a site a good fit, and how to get a proposal without paying anyone a fee.
Why Egyptian factories are looking at solar now
- Commercial electricity prices rose by an average of about 20% in April 2026, according to the Ministry of Electricity.1
- The government is targeting a 45% renewable energy share by 2028, brought forward from 2030.2
- Private companies can now buy renewable power directly from private generators: Egypt approved its first private-to-private electricity contracts, four projects of 100 MW each supplying industrial users.3
For a site with a high daytime bill and a usable roof or plot of land, solar is a way to lock in part of its power cost.
Three ways to get solar on your site
- Buy it (capex).
- You pay for the system and own it. You keep all the savings, and you carry the upfront cost and the maintenance.
- Power purchase agreement (PPA).
- A partner funds, builds and usually owns the system on your roof or land, and you pay only for the electricity it produces, at an agreed price per kWh for an agreed term. No upfront cost.
- Lease or financing.
- You use the system and pay fixed instalments, through a leasing company or a bank. Ownership terms depend on the contract.
Which option is best depends on your bill, your cash position, how long you will stay at the site, and what partners offer for your specific project. We put the options side by side; the figures come from partners, in writing.
Rooftop, ground-mounted and the grid
Most factory systems sit on the roof; sites with spare land can use ground-mounted panels. Systems are usually sized to the site’s daytime load so the power is used on site.
Egypt’s electricity regulator, EgyptERA, sets the rules for connecting on-site solar to the grid, including net metering limits and approvals. These rules change, so the partner confirms your site’s current eligibility and approval route before any proposal.
Is your site a good fit?
A quick test. The more of these are true, the stronger the case:
- Your electricity bill is high, and most of it is used during the day.
- You have a usable roof (structurally sound, not heavily shaded) or a plot of land.
- You own the site, or have a long lease and the owner’s consent.
- You operate year-round, with steady production hours.
- A decision-maker can review a proposal in the next few months.
Sectors where this usually holds: food and beverage, cold storage, textiles, plastics, chemicals, ceramics, logistics and warehousing, agri-processing, hotels, malls, hospitals and private schools.
Where we screen sites
We screen commercial and industrial sites across Egypt, including the main industrial cities and zones:
- 10th of Ramadan
- 6th of October
- Sadat City
- El Obour
- Badr City
- Borg El Arab
- Ain Sokhna (SCZone)
- Alexandria
- Damietta
- Port Said
- Beni Suef
- Assiut
How to start
- Send a recent electricity bill and the site location to [email protected].
- We check the fit: roof or land, load, operating pattern and whether solar is already installed.
- We match you with a vetted partner that fits the site, and register the introduction in writing.
- You compare proposals (buy, PPA, lease) and decide. Our fee is paid by the partner you choose, never by you.
Questions factories ask
Do I have to pay upfront for solar in Egypt?
No. Under a power purchase agreement (PPA) or some leases, a partner funds the system and you pay for the electricity or in instalments. Buying the system outright requires upfront payment.
How big a solar system does a factory need?
It depends on the daytime load, the roof or land area and the grid rules for the site. Partners size the system from your electricity bills and usage data.
Can solar power cold storage and refrigeration?
Cold storage runs during the day, when solar produces, which usually makes it a good fit. Night-time load still comes from the grid unless batteries are added.
Does DAFQA Energy install solar systems?
No. We find and qualify sites and coordinate proposals. Installation, financing, supply and warranties come from our partners under their own contracts.
What does it cost to work with DAFQA Energy?
Nothing for businesses. Our fee is paid by the partner you choose, under our written agreement with them.
Want to know if your site fits?
Send us a recent bill and the site location. We’ll tell you straight whether it’s worth a call.
Sources
This guide is general information, not technical, financial or legal advice. Savings, capacity, payback and financing figures for a specific site come from partners, in writing.