Funding solar panels

Are you ready to be part of the growing community of South Africans who have chosen solar energy? Together, we can drive the transition towards a more advantageous and profitable future. In South Africa, there are various subsidies available, making the transition to solar panels more attainable. However, even without these subsidies, embracing the power of the sun - an abundant source of renewable energy - is the right move towards a sustainable and cost-effective future. Allow us to tell you more about financing solar panels.

Arrangements

Subsidy on solar panels

As an individual in South Africa, you are eligible for several subsidies, which should make it attractive to switch to solar energy. Major municipalities across South Africa are allowing commercial and residential property owners to feed renewable energy back into the power grid. Primarily, these are the Residential Rooftop Photovoltaic (PV) Programme. This programme offers subsidies and net metering to residential consumers who install grid-connected photovoltaic systems. Net metering allows excess electricity generated by the solar panels to be fed back to the grid, resulting in a discount on the consumer’s electricity bill.

Net metering of energy compares the solar energy generated by your solar panels during the year, and streaks it against the electricity you take from the grid. This means that thanks to solar panels, you start saving money from day one, and your investment in solar energy becomes more interesting.

NERSA regulations
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) regulates net metering in the country, and in order to qualify, owners of PV systems will need to go through an approval process:

Must have a renewable energy system that meets the regulations and standards set by NERSA.
Having a bi-directional meter installed by a licensed service provider.
Complying with all the technical requirements of the net metering system

NERSA

Net Metering advantages

Moreover, there are advantages of Net Metering that should not be missed.

Return on Investment

With net metering, solar energy users enjoy a rewarding return on investment. By selling excess energy back to the grid, you can further offset your electricity costs, making your solar investment even more financially advantageous.

Reduced Carbon Footprint

By promoting the use of renewable energy sources like solar power, net metering plays a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable environment.

Cost Savings

Net metering empowers you to save on your electricity bills by offsetting your energy consumption with the surplus solar power you generate, which flows back into the grid.

Investing in solar panels

So although you can take advantage of a subsidy on solar panels, an investment is still required. An investment, by the way, that you will quickly earn back, especially with the large number of sunshine hours we have in South Africa. For example, in Cape Town: the total annual amount of sun is 3,100 hours. This is an ideal condition for a good return on your solar panels.

Switching to solar panels is also becoming increasingly urgent. The load-shedding and unreliable energy grid has a major impact on our daily lives. This is precisely why it is so important to become as independent from the energy grid as possible. Solar panels are a first solution to this, but we need to think further. For instance, by researching private home batteries to temporarily store energy. This has several advantages, such as far-reaching independence from the energy grid, higher savings and an overall sustainable energy supply.

Background

Knowledge Base

Ready to find out more about solar panels and regulations which help you make the move towards a sustainable future? We are more than happy to give you more information on various topics. Take a look at some of the articles from our knowledge base.

The sun as the primary source of energy within 10 years

Solar energy for everyone. It's possible. Discover how Soly, founded in 2013 by brothers Patrick and Milan van der Meulen. What's our current situation?

South Africa’s renewable energy transition comes with Tax benefits

This article will delve into the possibility of Stage 8 and further discuss how the government is rewarding those who implement renewable solutions.

The impact of load shedding on the agriculture sector

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has agreed to increase electricity prices by 18.65%, effective from 1 April 2023.

Contact us

Want to have a chat with one of our advisors? We look forward hearing from you.

contact forms