In South Africa, loadshedding is no longer an occasional inconvenience. It’s a regular part of life, and as a result, more households are looking for smart, affordable ways to keep the lights on, the internet running, and their essentials powered up. As time has progressed, there are more backup options on the market in 2025 than ever before, from battery trolleys to solar hybrids. While it’s good to have choice, it does also make it quite challenging to know what’s actually worth the investment. 

To help you make an informed decision around how you can keep the lights on at home, we have gathered the most common ‘loadshedding-proofing’ options available on the South African market.  

Let’s unpack what they cost, what they power, and how long they last. 

Rechargeable Battery Trolleys And Power Stations 

These solutions are often considered ‘plug-and-play,’ because they’re relatively easy to purchase and set up. It’s no wonder these options are often the first step for homeowners and renters alike. 

• Price Range: R4,000 – R20,000 

• Best For: TVs, WiFi routers, lights, laptops. 

• Pros: Portable, silent, maintenance-free, plug-and-play. 

• Cons: Limited capacity, so it won’t run fridges or kettles. 

The Verdict? Worth it if your main concern is staying connected and simply keeping your home lit during loadshedding outages. 

Non-Solar Solutions: Inverter And Battery Systems 

Essentially this solution involves an inverter that’s paired with deep-cycle batteries. These batteries store electricity from the grid and then automatically power your home during outages. 

• Price Range: R12,000 – R70,000+ 

• Best For: Lighting, entertainment, computers, fridges, gate motors. 

• Pros: Quiet, scalable, with an automatic switchover. 

• Cons: Doesn’t generate power, just relies on the grid to recharge. 

The Verdict? A smart middle-ground solution if solar isn’t in your budget (yet) but you want automatic backup power. 

A Solar Solution: Power With Battery Backup 

This is the gold standard for many households, and for good reason – especially with Eskom’s reliability issues and rising electricity prices. 

• Price Range: R60,000 – R200,000+ 

• Best For: Full or partial household loads. 

• Pros: Generates its own power, offers long-term savings, reduces reliance on Eskom. 

• Cons: Expensive upfront and has a complex installation. 

The Verdict? We would say that it’s worth it for homeowners looking for energy independence and long-term cost control. 

Gas For Cooking And Heating 

Ah yes, good ol’ gas. These appliances remain one of the most reliable and cost-effective ways to reduce your reliance on electricity. Let’s take a look at why it’s so popular. 

• Price Range: R600 – R3,500 for appliances; ±R400 for a 9kg refill. 

• Best For: Cooking, geysers, heaters. 

• Pros: Low running costs, reliable during outages. 

• Cons: Safety concerns if not installed properly, and the rising cost of gas could become a budgetary challenge. 

The Verdict? Gas appliances are worth the spend, particularly for basic daily tasks like cooking and heating water. 

Smart Plugs And Energy Monitors 

There are also smaller devices that aren’t very expensive, which you can use to help manage power usage and prolong any battery backup solution that you’ve got going when there’s an outage (planned or unplanned). 

• Price Range: R300 – R1,200 per plug/device. 

• Best For: Managing loads, switching off high-use appliances remotely. 

• Pros: Energy-efficient, helps stretch backup time. 

• Cons: Requires WiFi and setup. 

The Verdict? These devices can be super helpful for homes with inverter or solar systems, just looking to stretch their current solutions. 

Feeling Informed? 

In 2025, it’s not about spending big – it’s about spending smart, working out how to balance your balance with your backup measures. For most households, a layered approach works best: A battery station for connectivity, gas for cooking, and eventually an inverter or solar setup for full coverage. 

Whatever you choose, make sure it’s sized for your needs, installed safely, and properly maintained. A well-chosen solution will save you stress (and money) every time the lights go out. 

We trust that this information will help you take your next step in your ‘deal with loadshedding’ strategy.  

If you’re looking for more practical advice on energy efficiency or want to explore the cost of solar, then please take a few minutes to explore AA Inform.  

We’re here to keep you informed. 

References (Costs) 

Below is a list of estimated product prices and sources used in the article. All pricing reflects public listings from reputable South African suppliers and retailers as of June 2025: 

1. Battery trolley kits and portable power stations 

• Example: A 2.5 kW inverter with a 240 Ah battery trolley kit is listed for around R19,999. 

• Source: AC Direct (www.acdirect.co.za) 

2. Inverter + deepcycle battery kits (nonsolar setups) 

• Inverter and battery combo kits range from R2,000 to R20,000, depending on capacity and battery type. 

• Source: Takealot, Sustainable.co.za 

3. Deepcycle solar battery prices (standalone) 

• 100 Ah to 150 Ah solar batteries range between R1,898 and R3,689. 

• Source: Ellies, Takealot, PriceCheck 

4. Hybrid solar systems (with battery + inverter + panels) 

• Smaller battery packs (e.g. 2.4 kWh lithium) start at R13,000. 

• Larger systems (e.g. 9.6 kWh or more) and full installations can cost R120,000 to R350,000, depending on household size and energy needs. 

• Source: Rubicon, SolarAdvice, Hubble Energy, Sustainable.co.za 

5. Gas appliances (for backup cooking and heating) 

• Gas cookers and heaters cost between R600 and R3,500. 

• Refills for 9 kg gas cylinders are priced at approximately R400, but may vary by supplier. 

• Source: Makro, Builders, local gas suppliers 

6. Smart plugs and energy monitoring devices 

• Smart energy devices range between R300 and R1,200, depending on brand and features. 

Source: Leroy Merlin, Takealot, EcoDepot lore the cost of solar, then please take a few minutes to explore AA Inform.