Request for Applications (RFA) from private solar developers to install solar water supply pumps in seven communities using a lease-to-own model under the Solarizing Community Water Supply project (Phase II), implemented by Winrock International.

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS (RFA)Program Name: Solarizing Community Water Supply (Phase II)Country/Location: Central & South Ethiopia Regional StatesRequest for Applications (RFA) No: RFA 2.2RFA Issued: August 6, 2026Applications Due: August 20, 2026 Please download the full document attached SECTION 1: PROJECT DESCRIPTION 1.1 SUMMARY The purpose of this RFA is to solicit applications from private solar developers to install solar water supply pumps in seven communities using a lease-to-own model under the Solarizing Community Water Supply project (Phase II), implemented by Winrock International. The company will pay the up-front costs for installing the solar pumps and will transfer ownership to the community once the commercial cost of the solar water pump is paid off by the community. The community will make a down payment of 10% and will pay monthly instalments until the solar pump is paid off (3 years).The purpose of this RFA is to select private developers to enter into lease-to-own contracts for solarization of the diesel-powered water systems in seven communities, located in: South Ethiopia Region, Wolaita Zone: Bibiso Comunity in Damot Fulasa Woreda, Kercheche and Arso Wei de Communities in Duguna Fango Woreda Gofa Zone: Hoshele and Zaba in Debretsehay Woreda Central Ethiopia Region Kembata Zone: Kota Kombola community in Damboya Woreda, Hadiya Zone: Sege community in Gombora Woreda 1.2 BACKGROUND AND BUSINESS MODEL An estimated 6,000 off-grid communities in Ethiopia rely on costly diesel-powered piped water systems. Winrock’s goal is to create a commercial market for solarization of diesel pumps that will enable communities to purchase a solar pump through a lease-to-own agreement. During the period of 2023 – 2025, Winrock implemented Phase I of the Solarizing Community Water Supply project, which demonstrated the lease-to-own model in ten communities in Amhara and Oromia regional states. Winrock is now implementing Phase II of this work, with a goal of a