Feeling guilty because you have not taken any action to reduce your carbon footprint? The good news is that even small steps in a greener direction like installing solar power can make a big difference.
While solar power originally costs more than traditional electricity, this is no longer the case. You can now save money on your utility bill by installing solar panels on your property. Solar power per Kwh is becoming affordable for more people.
The cost of solar power is typically going to depend on your location. In some areas, you can get a solar power system installed for as low as R0.90 Per kWh. In other areas, the cost is much higher. The good news is that the cost of solar power has been dropping steadily.
Do you want to know how much solar power costs per kWh in South Africa? Increasingly, more and more people are asking this question and looking for a way to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.
Solar power in South Africa has been growing rapidly, with the latest figures showing that the country has installed a total of 1.5GW of solar power capacity. That’s the same as the total amount of coal-fired electricity generation capacity, and it’s quite a feat for a technology that was derided as too expensive just 15 years ago.
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However, if you want to know how much a solar power system will cost you, you should know that the price of solar power per KWH in South Africa depends on a number of things. This includes whether you want to buy or lease the solar power system, the size of the system, the type of solar panel, and the location of the solar panel.
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How Much Does Solar Power Cost Per Kwh in South Africa?
Depending on the location and the firm delivering the service, the cost of Solar power in South Africa varies, but in general, it is higher in major cities like Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town where the cost per kWh ranges between R0.9/Kwh and R2.7/Kwh.
The source estimates that the total cost of such a system can be around R227 000, but it can also pay off in the long term by reducing electricity bills and increasing savings.
Cost Of Solar Power Per Kwh in South Africa
The good news is that the government of South Africa is open to and encourages many investments in Solar power. With this encouragement in policies which includes but is not limited to Feed-In-Tariffs, the cost of Solar power per Kwh in South Africa has been lowered and categorized to align with the policy of the Feed-in Tariffs. This means there are varying prices depending on your usage, be it residential or commercial. Ranges for residential is between R0.4279/kWh and R0.7008/kWh while that of commercial is between R0.3614/kWh and R0.8008/kWh
How Much Do Solar Panels Cost?
Solar Panels producing companies are very scarce in South Africa, so the ones readily available are imported and arranged in a reliable and complete Solar system by local companies. The prices of the Solar panel vary depending on the brand and the producing companies. With a budget as low as R1,700 you could get a single unit (module) of a Solar Panel. Please, always remember that the estimated cost also varies depending on the manufacturer’s design.
How Much Does Installation Cost?
Many of the local companies in South Africa are in partnership with foreign countries that provide them with the components of the Solar system for technical support and training. These firms render technical support in terms of training and installation of affordable solar systems. Depending on the brand, the location, and the size of the house which most of the times is calculated to correspond with the capacity of the solar system, the average cost of Solar system installation could range from around R63,000 to R85,000 for a 2KW and R110,000 to R150,000 for a 5KW system.
How Much Do Solar Panels Save You Compared to Non-Solar Power?
The initial cost to completely install a Solar System could be very expensive but the advantage comes in the long run. The cost of maintenance is also reduced and minimal as compared to non-solar. So, here comes the good news, while the non-solar users keep recurring costs, the solar user saves costs and after years of good usage, the saved cost becomes glaring. Solar users could save as much as $780 in the first year of savings and rises to about 300% as the years go by.
Solar Power In South Africa Cheaper Than Coal?
According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), installing new solar panels is cheaper than a comparable investment in coal, natural gas, or other fossil fuel options. Knowing full well that sunlight is free and easily accessible. You should note that South Africa is a seemingly sunny country just a little below the sub-Saharan nations. You see, photovoltaic power has seen a recent decline in acquiring cost and many homes and firms are beginning to embrace it. Because of the low cost of maintenance, PV power supply could be cheaper than coal. South Africa is a country that heavily relies on coal for power generation, but with improved technologies in Solar systems, there would be a major decline in the 77% of the population used in the near future.
Solar Power In South Africa Cheaper Than Nuclear?
Nuclear Energy is a form of energy not for residential purposes. To put it more succinctly, an individual cannot manage it. The cost of generating solar power ranges from R546.73 to R668.23 per megawatt-hour (MWh). Nuclear energy costs between R1,700.95 and R2,870.36. So, it’s technically safe to agree Solar is cheaper.
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How Much Does it Cost To Run a Solar Power Plant?
Running a Solar Plant involves getting a License. The government has policies in place to assist Solar companies. To run a solar plant, however, would cost you about R15,187,760.
South Africa’s Current Energy Situation
South Africa’s total domestic electricity generation capacity is 58,095 megawatts (MW) from all sources. It is considered one of the countries in Africa with improved energy generation.
Conclusion
The cost of solar power per kWh in South Africa reflects a dynamic landscape influenced by factors like solar panel efficiency, installation expenses, and government policies. Prospective adopters should explore different solar solutions, consider long-term savings, and be aware of available incentives. Understanding the cost dynamics is crucial for making informed decisions toward sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions in South Africa.
Hi there, I'm Heaven. I'm an entrepreneur, blogger, and digital marketing enthusiast. When I'm not watching anime or learning something new from TikTok, I post and vlog about my incredible life experiences as a digital entrepreneur.
