The verdict in three sentences
A C&I solar developer in Antananarivo does not sell panels, it sells a lower JIRAMA bill and production continuity during power cuts. Its website must prove profitability with a savings calculator, a clear third-party financing offer and 25 documented references that a plant manager can compare with their own case. At Kolonell, this site costs 800,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA (1,220 to 5,340 EUR) depending on the Starter, Growth or Premium tier, with a 6 to 8 week timeline, and anything beyond that is quoted separately.
What the industrial buyer is looking for
The sales director of a solar developer targets three profiles: textile factories in the free zone, hotels in the capital and the regions, and logistics or food processing warehouses. They share one reflex: before agreeing to a meeting, they want a ballpark for investment, savings and payback. A site that hides these numbers behind a plain contact form loses most of its visitors.
Figures to make visible, as a 2026 order of magnitude for Madagascar:
| Indicator | 50 kWp plant | 100 kWp plant | 250 kWp plant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indicative investment | 130 to 210 M MGA | 250 to 400 M MGA | 600 to 950 M MGA |
| Estimated annual output | 70,000 kWh | 145,000 kWh | 360,000 kWh |
| Annual savings at 750 MGA per kWh | 52 M MGA | 109 M MGA | 270 M MGA |
| Payback on direct purchase | 3 to 4 years | 2.5 to 3.5 years | 2.5 to 3.5 years |
| Roof area required | 300 m² | 600 m² | 1,500 m² |
| Typical client | 40-room hotel | Textile workshop | Cold storage warehouse |
These are estimates and should be labelled as such, with a clear note that a site survey and 12 months of JIRAMA bills determine the final figure.
Savings calculator and third-party financing
The calculator is the commercial heart of the site. Visitors enter their monthly JIRAMA bill, roof area and operating hours. The tool suggests a system size, annual savings, and compares two models: direct purchase, or third-party financing where the developer funds the plant and sells each kWh below the grid tariff for 10 to 15 years.
| Criterion | Direct purchase | Third-party financing |
|---|---|---|
| Client capital | 100 % of the plant | Zero |
| Savings in year one | Full, after payback | 15 to 25 % on the kWh price |
| Commitment | None | 10 to 15 years |
| Maintenance | Client or service contract | Included by the developer |
| Ownership at the end | Immediate | Transfer to client possible |
| Lead generated | Technical survey request | Financing proposal request |
Depending on the Kolonell tier, the calculator ranges from a simple version (Growth, three input fields) to an advanced one with a PDF pre-study emailed to the visitor and the lead stored in a dashboard (Premium). Starter, at 800,000 to 1,200,000 FCFA, covers the presentation site, references and a survey request form, without a calculator. Growth costs 1,200,000 to 2,000,000 FCFA and Premium 2,000,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA.
The 25 references: the proof that closes deals
Each reference deserves a short page: sector, city (Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Toamasina, Mahajanga), installed capacity, annual output, measured savings, rooftop photo and a client quote where permitted. A sector filter lets a hotel manager see only hotels. French and English versions also reach international groups operating in Madagascar; languages are set in the quote.
For search, sector pages such as solar for textile factories in Madagascar or hotel self-consumption in Antananarivo capture high-intent queries. A Kolonell monthly SEO plan at 100,000, 200,000 or 350,000 FCFA supports this if the in-house team lacks time to publish.
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Hery, sales director of a solar developer in Antananarivo, currently closes 8 projects a year through word of mouth, at an average value of 320 M MGA. With a Premium site and its calculator, he targets 900 qualified visits a month and a 6 % simulation rate, or 54 simulations a month. If 10 % become a meeting and one meeting in six closes, that is about 0.9 extra project a month, or 10 more a year.
Even with a cautious assumption of 4 extra projects a year at a 12 % margin, gross gain reaches 4 x 320 M x 12 % = 153.6 M MGA a year. The Premium site, at 2,000,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA, is a fraction of the margin on a single project.
FAQ
Can the calculator use real JIRAMA tariffs?
Yes, tariff bands are entered in the admin and updated by the team in about 5 minutes at each revision. The result remains an estimate, shown with a margin of plus or minus 15 %.
How long until launch?
Allow 6 to 8 weeks: scoping and gathering the 25 references, design, calculator development, then testing against around ten real bills.
Can we show euro amounts for international groups?
The calculator can show MGA and EUR for solar market amounts. Languages and currencies displayed are specified in the quote.
What happens after launch?
Kolonell maintenance costs 35,000, 75,000 or 120,000 FCFA a month (53, 114 or 183 EUR) depending on service level, including backups and updates. Calculator upgrades are quoted separately.
Are leads sent to our existing CRM?
At Premium level, each simulation can be emailed and stored in a dashboard. Integration with a third-party CRM is quoted depending on the tool you use.
Let's scope your project. Send us your references and financing offer, and we will scope the site, the calculator and a 6 to 8 week plan. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
