Power Play: Eskom Faces Pressure to Axe Hidden Solar Costs

⚡ Good News for Homeowners: Eskom Solar Fees Waived (For Now) — But for How Long?

South African homeowners looking to go solar have a limited-time advantage — Eskom is waiving registration fees and providing free smart meters for residential solar installations up to 50kVA, valid until 31 March 2026. This initiative, launched in March 2023, helps households save up to R9,132 and encourages compliance with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA)’s regulations as per the article on Eskom’s website published yesterday.

But will these perks continue beyond 2026?

Minister Dion George, South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, has publicly called on Eskom to make these exemptions permanent. He warns that reintroducing fees after the deadline could discourage thousands of South Africans from switching to solar — potentially stalling the country’s shift to a low-carbon future.

This debate comes at a time when Eskom has announced a 12.74% tariff hike for direct customers, kicking in from 1 April 2025 — another reason for homeowners to seriously consider renewable alternatives before electricity costs rise again.

After March 2026, if no changes are made, homeowners installing solar systems will be required to:

• Pay for bi-directional meters, with deposits ranging from R3,500 to R4,800, depending on account history.
• Switch to Eskom’s Homeflex tariff, which includes a fixed monthly charge of R368, while still allowing credits for energy exports.

🚨 There’s Also a Technical Tug-of-War

A disagreement is brewing over who can legally sign off on solar installations. Eskom insists only engineers registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) can approve systems. But the Electrical Contractors Association argues that qualified electricians should be deemed competent — a ruling that could significantly affect installation costs and turnaround times.

☀️ Want to Lock in the Savings While You Can?

With free smart meters, zero registration fees, and electricity price hikes around the corner, now is the ideal time to make the switch to solar.

Get a free solar quote today, we have solar packages & trust solar finance options – making solar more affordable than ever

Don’t wait until these benefits are gone. Let the sun power your home — and your savings.

As South Africa strives to enhance renewable energy adoption, the government’s push for permanent fee waivers reflects a commitment to facilitating a smoother transition for residential consumers. More info on this in this recent article here.

Sources:

• Eskom Official Notice – Solar Fee Waiver
• MyBroadband – Proposal to Scrap Massive Eskom Solar Fees