Solar energy has become a visible fixture in South Africa. But many businesses are still holding off on installing solar and storage systems. Can they afford to wait, or is this a good time to make the investment?

Trends for Solar and Storage

Photovoltaic panels have sprouted across rooftops in towns and cities. What started as a way to offset crippling power outages from the country's ageing infrastructure has turned into an environment where businesses can generate their own energy and reduce dependency on grid conditions. 

While the bulk of SA's solar power output comes from large generation sites, the commercial and industrial (C&I) market has gained a lot of traction. This growth has notably reduced solar prices, and in some cases a C&I solar and storage installation is half the price it was two years ago.

"Solar and storage projects reached a stage where the return of investment started to make sense to business owners within the C&I space being boosted by the rush to mitigate the high levels of loadshedding we experienced in 2023. This along with higher energy tariffs have brought the interest up. Several solar and storage companies have also substantially increased their presence in the C&I market. All these factors together are seen as the drivers for growth for the next few years," says Oscar Roberto Harbs Júnior, Sales Supervisor at WEG Africa.

Rising grid electricity costs

The rising cost of electricity in South Africa in early 2025 was around 12.74%, the latest of several consistent price increases that have made electricity 190% more expensive since 2014 (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research).

Solar and storage have become one of the most affordable and accessible options for consumers who want to reduce their electricity bills and create a buffer against future price increases. Oscar says this is an excellent time to consider investing in solar and storage projects. However, he cautions against doing so without proper research, and businesses should solicit advice from an experienced company that has strong bankability and a good reputation.

"The window of opportunity is very promising, but since solar and storage are medium to long term investments, rushing the decision may cause investments to fall short of the expected ROI or experience after-sales issues. Business decision makers should prioritise quality over the option of lower-priced products and projects."

Be smart about solar

Here are tips for people looking at buying solar systems:

• Assess your energy needs: Review monthly electricity usage (kWh) to understand your energy needs before going to the market. 
• Select a high-quality brand: Opt for a reliable brand for your, inverters, batteries and solar panels and BOS. Select a brand that has capabilities to offer a complete one-stop-shop offering and that can honour warranties, with local presence for support for the duration of your investment.
• Use approved system integrators: Use reputable and accredited system integrators who comply with local regulations and obtain necessary approvals.
• Remember maintenance and monitoring: To maximise your ROI, keep track of your savings after the system installation.