Everything Counts | Ep 22: Guide to Going Solar in South Africa
In this episode, 702's Motheo Khoaripe is joined by De Wet Taljaard (Technical Advisor at Investec Sustainable Solutions), Kirk Palmer (Director at Solafi), and Andrew Winstone (CEO at Energy LED) to tackle one of South Africa’s hottest topics: solar power and energy efficiency for households.
Understanding the energy crisis in South Africa
South Africa’s energy crisis, caused by Eskom’s aging coal power plants and frequent outages, has left many homes and businesses with unreliable electricity. Eskom still supplies about 75 to 80% of the country’s electricity, mostly from old coal-fired power plants that are getting harder and more expensive to maintain.
The recent creation of the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA) shows the energy sector is changing, but the system remains fragile. A key measure of Eskom’s performance is the Energy Availability Factor (EAF), which shows how much of the power station capacity is online and generating electricity.
For the system to be stable and reduce load shedding, the EAF needs to be between 65% and 70%, as set out in the government’s Energy Action Plan. However, in 2025, the EAF has been around 56.8%, just slightly better than the record low of 54% in 2023, the worst year for load shedding with over 6 800 hours of outages.
On top of Eskom’s challenges, many municipalities face their own problems like cable theft and equipment failures, causing even more outages. With power cuts still a big risk, many people are looking for better options. Solar power, especially when paired with batteries, offers a clean, affordable way to take control of your energy and stay protected from load shedding and other power interruptions.
Learn more: SA's solar awakening
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Understanding energy efficiency ratings
When buying appliances, look for the energy efficiency rating labelled from A to G on the sticker. Choosing appliances rated A, B, or even A+ is much better than going for lower-rated ones like D.
Although more energy-efficient appliances may cost a bit more upfront, their lower running costs will save you significantly more money over time. It’s always worth investing a little extra to get the most energy-efficient appliance you can.
What are the different types of home solar systems in South Africa?
Here’s a breakdown of the main types of home solar systems, their costs, and what they offer:
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