Elevated levels of load-shedding in South Africa in 2023 could cost the economy R1.6 trillion in lost economic activity, according to Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. This is R400 billion more than the previous year.
South Africa’s import of solar panels has reached a new record, with R8.4 billion worth of panels imported in quarter two of 2023, more than double the amount imported in the first quarter 2023.
The total value of imports in the first half 2023 has already exceeded the value imported throughout the entirety of 2022.
Several major South African metros are introducing solar feed-in tariffs, allowing residents with solar power systems to sell excess power back to the grid and reduce their monthly electricity bills.
Installing a battery and inverter system without solar generation capacity in South Africa can lead to a significant increase in monthly electricity bills. Even during lower stages of load-shedding, recharging common lithium-ion battery sizes can substantially impact the electricity bill.
Webber Wentzel, a South African law firm, has raised concerns about the government’s tax incentives for rooftop solar panels, calling them short-sighted and failing to understand the functioning of a complete solar energy system.