SA Households Are Watching the Sun Set on Loadshedding!

Photo Credit: Kindel Media via Pexels

Solar is huge in South Africa at the moment as households are making the investment to move away from an unreliable grid plagued by loadshedding.

South Africa (13 March 2024)—As loadshedding increases year-on-year, South African households are making the switch from the conventional electricity supply to installing alternatives in their homes. Solar power is a fast-growing industry that gives South Africans the chance to sustain themselves when times get a little dark.

2023 was by far, the darkest year since the start of loadshedding, with a total of 332 days of loadshedding, up from 205 days in 2022, according to EskomSePush. As the market expands, more options are available, and solar is, by far, a popular alternative.

Ross Mains-Sheard, Co-Founder and CEO of Versofy SOLAR shares that South African households can reduce their dependence on the national grid by tapping into the abundant potential of solar energy.

Today, there are so many options available for every South African budget, from solar charging lights to the full household package. With that also comes alternative and more affordable plans that help South Africans finally find their solar freedom.

Versofy SOLAR offers monthly subscription-based solar rentals which means that solar energy really is accessible to so many more households as it becomes that much more affordable.

Living in a beautifully sunny country has its perks and makes solar a viable option. And the added benefit is that because so many households and businesses are moving away from being reliant on the grid, South Africa is well on its way to cutting greenhouse gas emissions, according to Bloomberg.

South Africa’s rooftop solar capacity increased by 349% from March 2022 to June 2023, an unprecedented boom showing the extent to which private citizens and businesses are handling their own electricity needs.

While the energy crisis is having a massive impact on lives in South Africa, it is an achievement that presents a unique opportunity for South Africa to lead a global shift towards sustainable energy. And it goes without saying that the more households that leave behind the grid, the more opportunity there is for it to hopefully recover.

While promises of the end of loadshedding are plenty, South Africans truly have the power to end it within their own homes.

There is an opportunity for a South African vision that goes beyond solving the current energy crisis and transforming it into an opportunity. There’s a chance to demonstrate how sustainable energy solutions can be implemented effectively at a household level and contribute positively to the country’s economic and social well-being. The private sector, along with forward-thinking policy measures, can pave the way towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future.