Beginner's Guide to Solar Power

Everything you need to know to get started with solar power in South Africa. No technical knowledge required.

Thinking about solar but don't know where to start? This guide explains everything in plain English - how solar works, what equipment you need, costs to expect, and the right questions to ask installers.

How Solar Power Works

The basics in simple terms:

1. Solar panels convert sunlight into DC (direct current) electricity
2. The inverter converts DC to AC (alternating current) that your home uses
3. Excess power either goes to battery storage or back to the grid
4. At night or during load shedding, the battery powers your home
5. If battery runs low, you automatically switch back to grid power

What Equipment You Need

component	purpose	cost
Solar Panels	Generate electricity from sunlight	R2,000-R3,000 each
Inverter	Convert DC to AC, manage power flow	R15,000-R50,000
Battery	Store power for night/load shedding	R15,000-R60,000
Mounting	Secure panels to roof	R3,000-R8,000
Wiring	Connect everything together	R2,000-R5,000

componentSolar Panels

purposeGenerate electricity from sunlight

costR2,000-R3,000 each

componentInverter

purposeConvert DC to AC, manage power flow

costR15,000-R50,000

componentBattery

purposeStore power for night/load shedding

costR15,000-R60,000

componentMounting

purposeSecure panels to roof

costR3,000-R8,000

componentWiring

purposeConnect everything together

costR2,000-R5,000

Are You a Solar Installer?

Free

List your business and reach 500K+ monthly visitors looking for solar solutions in South Africa.

Get Listed Free →See example page →

Key Terms Explained

Solar jargon made simple:

kW (kilowatt): Unit of power - how much electricity something uses or produces
kWh (kilowatt-hour): Unit of energy - electricity used over time (what you pay for)
Hybrid inverter: Can work with grid AND battery (most common choice)
Grid-tied: Connected to Eskom, can export excess power
Off-grid: Completely independent, no Eskom connection
Tier-1: Top-quality manufacturers with proven track record

How to Get Started

Step-by-step process:

1. Calculate your needs: Check your Eskom bill for monthly kWh usage
2. Set a budget: Meaningful solar starts around R50,000, ideal at R80,000-R150,000
3. Get multiple quotes: At least 3 quotes from different installers
4. Check references: Ask for photos of completed installations
5. Understand warranty: Panels (25yr), inverter (5-10yr), battery (10yr)
6. Plan for expansion: Buy bigger inverter now, add panels/battery later

Price Disclaimer: Prices shown were verified on 29 January 2026. Prices may change without notice. We earn affiliate commissions on qualifying purchases.

All prices are in South African Rand (ZAR) unless otherwise stated. Shipping costs may apply depending on your location.

System Sizing Battery Sizing System Prices

Beginner's Guide to Solar FAQs

1-2 days for a standard residential installation. Complex installations (large systems, difficult roof access) may take 3-5 days. The municipal approval process for grid-tied export can take 2-8 weeks additionally.

Most roofs in South Africa work well for solar. Ideal: north-facing, 20-30° pitch, unshaded. Acceptable: east/west-facing (10-15% less output), flat roof (mounting adds tilt). Problematic: south-facing, heavily shaded, asbestos roofing.

Major retailers: Builders Warehouse, Makro, Takealot. Solar specialists: SolarShop, Sustainable.co.za, The Solar Warehouse. Always compare prices and check warranty support before buying.

For grid-tied systems, yes - you need a qualified electrician with COC (Certificate of Compliance). For simple off-grid setups, DIY is possible but not recommended. Poor installation is the #1 cause of solar system failures.

Need More Help?

Browse our complete guides and compare prices across all products.

View All Guides Buying Guides