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has been commemorated annually on 22 April since 1970 to raise awareness of and support for protecting the environment, and is an opportune time to highlight the importance of renewable energy, such as solar power, to electrify households and communities in South Africa.

Solar energy, which is the power derived from the sun’s radiation, is an abundant and sustainable source of energy. When this radiation falls on semiconductor material, it converts sunlight directly into electricity through a process called photovoltaics (PV). Another method makes use of mirrors or lenses to concentrate sunlight and generate heat, which can produce electricity via turbines. Solar energy is renewable and abundant; reduces electricity bills; has low maintenance costs; and is environmentally friendly.

Powering households

Residential solar systems allow homeowners to generate electricity from PV panels installed on rooftops. The main components are solar panels that capture sunlight and convert it into direct current (DC) electricity; an inverter that converts DC electricity into alternating current (AC), which is used by home appliances; a mounting system that holds the panels in place; optional battery storage, so that energy can be used when sunlight is not available; and a net meter to track energy and send it back to the grid.

There are three types of residential solar systems: grid-tied, which connects the utility grid and sends back excess energy, where net metering is necessary; an off-grid system, which is independent of the grid and requires battery storage systems; and a hybrid system, which combines grid connection with battery storage. The benefits are evident in that electricity bills will be reduced; property value increased; your carbon footprint lowered; and there are tax incentives to be had.

There are some considerations to be aware of before installing solar panels. The condition of the roof and its orientation should be taken into account, where north-facing roofs are ideal in the southern hemisphere. Your energy needs should also be considered, the installers you make use of (experienced certified companies are recommended) and the warranty on the panels, which should be guaranteed for 20 to 25 years.

South Africa’s solar power sector

South Africa has experienced notable growth in its solar power sector, solidifying its position as a leader in renewable energy in Africa. By the end of 2024, the country’s total PV capacity reached about 8.97 gigawatts (GW), marking an 11.9 % increase from 2023, including 2.8 GW from public procurement programmes and 6.1 GW from private sector contributions. In 2024, 1.1 GW of new solar capacity was added. The private sector has played a vital role in this expansion, with private solar PV capacity growing from 2.26 GW in July 2022 to 6.17 GW by October 2024.

Driven by rising electricity tariffs, load-shedding and decreasing solar technology costs, rooftop solar installations have become increasingly popular among businesses and households. The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association anticipates accelerated deployment of solar projects supported by private utility-scale initiatives. Projections indicate that distributed PV capacity could reach 1.8 GW by 2025, highlighting the growing significance of rooftop solar power in the country’s energy mix.

While the growth of solar energy has alleviated some power supply challenges, the national average electricity tariffs have increased by 10% a year, from 2014 to 2024, outpacing average inflation by 5.2% over the same period. The decreasing costs of solar panels and batteries make it possible to expand renewable energy’s role in stabilising the power market.

It's likely that South Africans will gradually move to solar power as an alternative as people continue to choose convenience powered by recent technical advances in energy supply. In addition, installing solar panels will enable households and businesses to be in control of their energy use. Statements by ESKOM or the government about imposing higher tariffs on independent self-power producers are unlikely to amount to more than a threat. Alternative, easy, cheap technologies will always lead the market.

The country’s ambitious target of expanding solar power capacity by 2030 is achievable through the contribution of ordinary people. If every RDP house makes use of a solar geyser and adds a solar panel, it will contribute significantly to overall solar energy collection. According to the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan, South Africa will add 6 GW of PV capacity by 2030. Recent projections suggest that the PV market could grow from 6.05 GW in 2024 to 10.27 GW by 2029, reflecting an annual growth rate of 11.17%. Additionally, some analysis indicates that 49 GW of PVs would need to be installed by 2030 to align with global climate goals, necessitating an average annual addition of 5.2 GW (compared with the predicted 6 GW.

The drawbacks of using solar energy are related to policy considerations: grid integration challenges, mismatches in supply and demand, upfront capital barriers, storage systems and scalability, policy and procurement delays, land use conflicts, import dependency, local industry development, and overall oversight in mining. Still, solar energy remains one of South Africa’s most promising energy security and decarbonisation tools. It will achieve supply by coordinating all efforts, leading to a balanced equation on the just energy transition.