Seeing as loadshedding is here to stay for the foreseeable future, it’s hardly a surprise that the solar industry in South Africa has come to the party with new and innovative ways for people to enjoy the freedom of electricity sovereignty. 

The result? There are new solar products on the market, solar as a solution is becoming more accessible, and the price is becoming more competitive. One such innovative approach is the introduction of solar subscriptions, which promise all the benefits of reduced bills and electricity savings with affordable monthly subscription plans.  

If you’re interested in finding out more so you can decide if this is the right route for you, then read on. Armed with this information, you’ll be better equipped to make an informed decision. 

What Is A Solar Subscription? 

A solar subscription is an alternative solar financing model that has completely opened the market up to those who simply can’t afford the upfront costs associated with going solar. And yes, while it’s true that solar financing is available through most banks in South Africa, the fact is that you have to contend with fluctuating interest rates and the various terms and conditions that are associated with financed purchases. 

Solar subscriptions, on the other hand, offer you an all-in-one package, at a fixed monthly payment. Generally speaking, you’ll choose your subscription plan (depending on your household’s power needs) and pay two fees. The first is a once-off amount that typically covers the installation, Certificate of Compliance, and municipal registration. The second is your ongoing, monthly payment which covers the solar hardware and should include some form of professional support. This could even include extras, like monitoring, optimisation, and maintenance.  

A solar subscription example: 

• A smaller package capable of providing 8-15kWh of daily solar production – with backup power for around 3 hours.  
• Ideal for households spending around R1500 on electricity per month.  
• A kit like this should include the solar panels, an inverter, and battery. 

Why Are Solar Subscriptions Popular? 

Understandably, we can’t speak to the specifics of every home solar subscription available, however by and large, a solar subscription approach has the potential to benefit your budget and power needs enormously. 

For starters, this model offers you the chance to choose the right plan for your specific needs. In this way, the subscription model is both flexible and customisable. Additionally, choosing to go with a solar subscription plan gives you access to an all-in-one package – minus the huge expense and hassle of upfront investments. Lastly, because it’s all-encompassing, you won’t have any financially disastrous surprises to lurch out at the worst time of the month.  

All in all, you can enjoy reliable, uninterrupted power for an affordable monthly cost. 

The key is to make sure that you choose the right service provider, one who is capable of appropriately assessing your power needs, offering you enough range of choice and advice on which plan is best for you, competitive pricing, and adequate support. 

A few things to check when choosing a solar subscription provider: 

• Do you get 24/7 on-call maintenance? 
• If your needs change, is your plan easily upgradable? 
• Can your service provider offer remote monitoring? 

Feeling informed? 

According to a poll conducted by AA Inform in 2023, it was revealed that 58% of participants were intending on getting solar power for their homes. A vastly lower 14% indicated that this wasn’t on their agenda, and while it’s difficult to say why this was their choice, we can surmise that price would have played a role for some.  

For that reason, solar subscription is a welcome financial innovation in the solar space – enabling so many more people to take advantage of a necessary solution for South Africans who want more control over their household power.  

Don’t forget that AA Inform is home to a variety of tools that can help you on your journey. For instance, you can use our Free Credit Report to get a comprehensive credit report with your score so that you can stay informed and empowered with insights into your financial health – and make better decisions so that solar is an affordable solution for your home.  

We trust that this information will help you make an informed decision.