Is solar still worth it in 2026?

Last updated November 2026. Prices and rates checked October 2026.

During the load shedding years, people bought solar so the lights stayed on, often in a hurry and at peak prices. Load shedding has stopped, and many people now wonder whether solar is still a smart buy, or whether they should have waited. The honest answer depends on your bill, your house and how long you plan to stay. This guide shows the numbers for a typical home, and the cases where a solar installation in Johannesburg doesn't make sense.

Is solar still worth it in South Africa now that load shedding has stopped?

Three things have changed since 2023, and two of them favour solar:

• Electricity keeps getting more expensive. City Power's prices rose 8.63% on 1 July 2026, after a 12.41% increase the year before. Eskom's own tariffs rose about 8.8% in April 2026, and another increase is already approved for April 2027.
• Systems cost less. Panel and battery prices dropped sharply after the 2023 rush. A 5 kW hybrid system with a 10 kWh battery now typically costs R90,000 to R145,000 installed.
• Backup matters less. Without regular outages, a big battery is harder to justify. That's the one change that works against solar, and it changes what you should buy more than whether you should buy.

If you already have solar that was set up for load shedding, read what your solar system is for now. Many systems can save more money with a few setting changes.

How long does solar take to pay for itself?

Here's a worked example for a Joburg household on City Power prepaid that uses about 900 kWh a month, or roughly R3,800.

Solar saves the most at the top of the bill. City Power charges more per unit the more you use in a month, so the units your panels replace are the most expensive ones. Our guide to City Power tariffs for 2026/27 shows the blocks.

Two things can stretch payback. Registering the system with City Power can move you to a postpaid tariff with higher fixed charges, which eats into the saving. See SSEG registration in Johannesburg. And a system sized bigger than your use, or a battery larger than your evenings need, adds cost without adding much saving.

Is a battery still worth it?

Usually a modest one, yes. Joburg homes use the most power in the evening, after the panels stop. A battery lets you move cheap midday solar into those hours, which is where much of the saving above comes from. Without one, a household out at work all day might use only 40 to 50% of its solar.

What's changed is the size. With no regular outages, you don't need a battery big enough to run the house through a four-hour cut. Size it for your normal evening use. For many homes that's 5 to 10 kWh. If your budget is tight, our guide to what solar costs in 2026 shows how to build in stages.

When is solar not worth it?

• Your bill is small. A household using under about 350 kWh a month buys most of its power in City Power's cheapest block. The saving per unit is lower and payback is longer.
• You're moving within three years. You'll pay for the system and leave before it has paid you back, unless the buyer values it.
• You rent. You need the owner's consent, and the system stays with the house unless agreed otherwise. Rental solar may suit you better. See rent, finance or buy.
• Your roof is heavily shaded or needs replacing soon. Fix the roof first, or look at a ground or carport mount.
• The only quote you can afford cuts corners. A cheap system without a proper Certificate of Compliance can cost more later, in repairs, insurance problems or trouble when you sell.

How do you make sure solar pays off?

1. Size from your bill. Our guide to what size solar system you need shows how.
2. Use your solar when it's made. Run the geyser, pool pump and washing in the middle of the day. See load shifting.
3. Use a registered installer. The Certificate of Compliance protects your insurance and your sale.
4. Compare quotes on the same basis. See what a solar quote should contain.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does solar take to pay for itself?

For a typical Joburg home using 800 to 1,000 kWh a month, a well-sized 5 kW hybrid system pays back in roughly four to six years. Smaller users take longer, and homes that use most of their solar during the day pay back faster.

Is a battery still worth it?

A battery sized for your normal evenings usually is, because Joburg homes use most power after dark. A big battery sized for long outages is harder to justify now that load shedding has stopped.

When is solar not worth it?

When your bill is small, you're moving within a few years, you rent without the owner's agreement, your roof is heavily shaded or due for replacement, or the only affordable quote cuts corners on compliance.

Should I wait for prices to drop further?

Prices have already fallen a long way, while electricity keeps rising every July. Each year you wait is a year of savings you don't get, which usually outweighs a small further price drop.

Where We Fit In

Sources: Business Day, 1 July 2026; The Citizen on City Power's 12.41% increase, July 2025; Eskom on the 2026/27 tariff decision.