The verdict in three sentences
A commercial solar EPC in Dubai or London working on projects across Africa and the Middle East does not sell panels, it sells a lower diesel bill to hotels, factories, mines and banks that run generators for hours every day. The website must turn a curious CFO into a qualified lead with a savings calculator and quantified references. In 2026 a Dubai agency typically quotes 15,000 to 45,000 USD for this, a London agency 12,000 to 35,000 GBP, over 5 to 7 weeks.
What a CFO wants to know
In Kinshasa, Lagos or Lubumbashi, grid outages remain frequent and many businesses rely on diesel generators. An 80-room hotel can burn several hundred litres of diesel a day. The CFO will not ask about inverter brands. They will ask how much they save, how fast the investment pays back and who has already trusted this installer.
With projects of 40,000 to 600,000 USD, sales cycles often last 3 to 9 months and involve several decision makers, often sitting in Dubai, London or Johannesburg. The site must give each of them the right page.
| Decision maker | Main question | Page that answers |
|---|---|---|
| CEO | Reliability and reputation | References and site photos |
| CFO | Return on investment | Diesel savings calculator |
| Technical director | Sizing, storage, O&M | Datasheets and methodology |
| Procurement | Warranties and contract | Warranty and O&M contract page |
| Lender or DFI | Contractor strength | Company page, certifications, partners |
| Executive assistant | Book a meeting | Form and WhatsApp |
The savings calculator: the heart of the site
The calculator asks for four or five simple inputs: daily diesel use, price per litre, generator running hours, peak load and available roof area. It returns an estimate of solar capacity, battery storage, annual savings and payback.
| Client profile | Indicative project | Diesel saved per year | Estimated payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| 80-room hotel | 150,000 to 250,000 USD | 60,000 to 90,000 USD | 2.5 to 4 years |
| Food processing plant | 300,000 to 600,000 USD | 120,000 to 200,000 USD | 2.5 to 4 years |
| Bank branch | 40,000 to 80,000 USD | 15,000 to 25,000 USD | 2.5 to 4 years |
| Private clinic | 80,000 to 150,000 USD | 30,000 to 50,000 USD | 2.5 to 4 years |
| Office building | 120,000 to 300,000 USD | 45,000 to 100,000 USD | 2.5 to 4.5 years |
*2026 estimates; replace with your own diesel price and irradiation assumptions.*
The output must stay an estimate, with a clear note that a site survey is required. The commercial value is elsewhere: to see the detailed report, the visitor leaves name, company, role and phone number. You receive a lead that is already sized.
References and content that convince
- 50 photo references by sector, with installed capacity, battery size, commissioning date and measured savings.
- Three or four detailed case studies: before, solution, results after 12 months.
- O&M page: contract, response times by country, remote monitoring.
- French version for francophone African clients such as DRC, Côte d'Ivoire or Senegal.
- Financing page: lease, PPA or bank partnership options, without promising rates.
Budget and timeline
| Item | Dubai (USD) | London (GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| Design and 15 to 25 page build | 8,000 to 20,000 | 6,000 to 15,000 |
| Savings calculator with lead capture | 3,000 to 12,000 | 2,500 to 10,000 |
| Case studies and photography | 2,000 to 8,000 | 2,000 to 6,000 |
| Second language | 1,500 to 4,000 | 1,200 to 3,000 |
| Maintenance per month | 300 to 900 | 250 to 700 |
*Order of magnitude for 2026.*
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
With Kolonell, the website grid applies: Starter 1,220 to 1,830 EUR, Growth 1,830 to 3,050 EUR, Premium 3,050 to 5,340 EUR (800,000 to 3,500,000 FCFA). A simple calculator fits within the website; an advanced sizing tool with PDF report generation is a custom application from 3,810 EUR (2,500,000 FCFA). Languages are set in the quote. Timeline: 5 to 7 weeks.
Mini case study
James, business development director of a solar EPC headquartered in Dubai, signs 6 African projects a year with an average ticket of 120,000 USD and a 25% gross margin, or 30,000 USD per project.
After launching a site with a savings calculator, he receives 12 qualified leads a month instead of 3. At a cautious 3% close rate over 12 months: 144 x 0.03, about 4 extra projects a year, so 4 x 30,000 = 120,000 USD of additional gross margin. The first signed project covers the website several times over.
FAQ
Should the calculator show a price?
Show an investment range, a savings range and a payback period. Firm pricing depends on the site survey.
Which diesel price should be used?
Use the average delivered price your clients actually pay, often above the official pump price once transport is included. Update it every quarter.
How many references at launch?
Twenty well-documented ones are enough to start; aim for 50 within a year. One reference with quantified savings beats ten photos without context.
Is a French version needed?
Yes if you target francophone Africa, which covers more than 20 countries and many generator-dependent businesses.
How quickly do leads arrive?
With targeted LinkedIn campaigns, within the first month. Through organic search, allow 3 to 5 months.
Let's scope your project. We define the calculator, references and decision-maker pages with you, for a launch in 5 to 7 weeks. 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.
