Why More Homes in Durban Are Switching to Solar in 2025?
In Durban, South Africa there has been a notable increase in more users wanting to switch to solar energy power either for their homes or businesses. An interesting study conducted by the University of Pretoria, titled “UP Expert Opinion: International Earth Day: Transitioning to Solar Power in SA” stated that “by the end of 2024, the country’s total PV capacity reached about 8.97 gigawatts (GW), marking an 11.9 % increase from 2023”. This shows the growth in the industry year over year as more customers decide to transition to clean energy. There are multiple factors that are influencing the decision and this is not only because of the “eco-friendly” status that especially businesses can get when it comes to the corporate sustainability perspective but also how loadshedding is still part of our lives and rising electricity costs contribute to citizens being tighter on their wallets at the end of the month.
The actual rise in electricity costs is evident based on this study conducted by the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg when they published a post titled “massive electricity price hike is totally unrealistic” where they stated that “South Africa’s state-owned electricity company, Eskom, has applied to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa to approve a 36.1% electricity price hike from April 2025, a 11.8% price increase in 2026 and an 9.1% increase in 2027”. This would ultimately destroy lots of smaller companies that are currently just staying afloat and create more of a burden for homes in Durban and surrounding areas.
In this blog post, we going to break down in detail why there is a shift happening now, what you should consider before making the switch and how to do it without getting lost in sales pitches or complicated lingo. The real question that we want to provide an answer to for users reading this article is “Should I go solar in 2025?”.
Load Shedding: Still a Daily Disruption
Over the last few months, it seems as though Eskom has managed to provide some stability on its grid and has suspended loadshedding at certain times. Still one of the biggest concerns for homes and businesses is that this can be reimplemented when required and you may not have the time to adapt your processes to keep up with this shift. This is where solar power can become particularly useful in providing reliable and stable energy supply so that you don’t have to worry about any of this or constantly check loadshedding schedules to see when you may be affected once again. At Eagle Eye Solar, we believe that consumers are tired of waiting for national solutions and having to depend on Eskom’s long term recovery plans and are rather deciding to adopt solar energy to get energy independence and security.
What you should do: The ideal starting point is to get a list of essential appliances that you want to power during loadshedding or rather understanding your monthly kWh usage which measures the amount of electricity used over a given time period. Having this figure handy can allow us to design a customizable solar energy solution that can accommodate your current electricity usage and ensure you aren’t affected by unexpected power outages.
Electricity Prices Are Increasing Once Again
If you’ve noticed your electricity bill increasing once again then you not alone – as Eskom has recently increased the tariffs for customers over the last few months. In one of their most recent articles titled “FY2026 Tariffs” they stated that “Eskom direct customers tariffs will increase by 12.74% effective on 1 April 2025 and tariffs for municipal bulk purchases will increase by 11.32% effective on 1 July 2025”. This means that even if you trying to use less power by switching off lights or using a fan rather than an air-con to draw less power – you are still paying more per kilowatt-hour so your electricity bill at the end of the month would likely be the same or more depending on how much power you use. Here’s where solar becomes more than just a green alternative but rather an important financial decision with people across the country starting to feel the real effects on the increase in cost of living. The real beauty of solar power is that you can start to almost compound your savings over the longer term as the system can continue to provide reliable power for 10+ years so despite the initial upfront costs you will still likely be saving over the longer term.
Here’s the move: Get a quote on a solar PV system that matches your current electricity usage. Ask the installer to show you how much you’d save monthly, and how long it would take for the system to pay for itself. In Durban, residents receive high volumes of sunshine throughout the whole year (obviously slightly less in winter) but this still means that you could likely pay back your system over a shorter time frame.
Solar Is Way More Affordable Than It Used to Be
The cost of installing a solar panel system in Durban has declined in recent years and this is being driven by the “levelized cost of energy (LCoE) for solar power generation is steadily declining. This means that solar is becoming a more cost-competitive alternative to traditional energy sources, making it a more attractive option for many.” In 2025, a few things have changed as more suppliers are starting to enter the market and increase their production facilities which has helped to bring the price down as companies now have to be more competitive to win the final customer over and secure the deal. There are lots of solar companies in Durban that are offering ‘rent to own’ systems which means that you don’t have to fork out the whole cost upfront if you don’t have the cash to hand.
For larger commercial and industrial facilities – here at Eagle Eye Solar we have also started offering Power Purchase Agreements which is a type of long-term arrangement where a solar provider installs, owns, and maintains a solar energy system on your property, and you simply only pay for the electricity you use. The provider covers all the costs of buying, setting up, and looking after the system, while you benefit by paying only for the solar power you use at a predetermined rate. This can also help you save money as the contract requires zero upfront investment but rather structured over the long term at a predetermined tariff.
What you should do: Don’t assume solar is too expensive. Get multiple quotes, ask about financing options, and see if the repayments are actually lower than your current bill. Make sure you understand the lifetime cost and not just the upfront of monthly costs.
Durban Is Perfect for Solar
It’s estimated that Durban receives over 2000+ hours of sunlight each year which makes it the perfect location to generate an abundance of solar power. With the advancements in equipment manufacturing such as the improved round trip efficiency (RTE) of lithium-ion batteries you can now store and use more of the solar energy you generate. This translates to greater overall efficiency for your home or business. In coastal regions such as Durban North, Bluff, Ballito and Umhlanga, it’s important to use panels and equipment that are corrosion-resistant and rated for high humidity. One of the main things that homes and businesses in Durban are searching for is to find a way to reduce monthly electricity costs. One of the main things that homes and businesses in Durban are looking for is a reliable way to reduce monthly electricity costs. As a trusted solar company in Durban, Eagle Eye Solar provides tailored solar solutions that can help you achieve real electricity savings, freeing up more of your budget for the things you enjoy.
Here's your action step: Before your solar company installs your systems ask whether they provide a workmanship or performance warranty on equipment. Also make sure your system is compatible with future expansion so you can add more solar panels at a later stage.
Solar Fits All Kinds of Homes
You don’t need a big five-bedroom house to switch to solar and save. Whether you live in a townhouse, duplex or a regular freestanding house, here at Eagle Eye Solar we can come up with a customizable system that can suit your budget and energy needs. Even if you’re only renting it could be worth chatting to your landlord and see whether you can structure a deal to get solar installed. We see lots of people starting with a small solar panel system in the start to power only key appliances and then upgrading over time when the time is right.
What to do: The key to getting started on anything is to not overthink it. You don’t need loads of free space as even installing a few solar panels and pairing this with a solar inverter and battery storage can help reduce your monthly electricity costs.
Solar Can Increase Property Value
In today’s property market, installing a solar energy system can significantly boost your property’s value and buyer attraction in the market. This is often linked to buyers starting to understand that a home with solar can benefit from long term savings associated with lower utility costs. In many cases, you could expect a home to sell quicker and at a higher price than similar homes without it as solar can be seen as an additional asset that you are adding. Also, with banks increasingly open to financing solar as part of a home loan, it’s also becoming easier to roll solar costs into your bond if you’re buying a property. In an article by Nedbank titled “save money with renewable energy for home” they stated that “apply for a new home loan of up to 100% and use the extra 10% to cover the cost of the energy solution”.
What to keep in mind: If you’re thinking about selling your property in the new few years then a solar power system could provide you with immediate benefits and help increase your property value at the same time. On the other hand, if you’re looking to purchase a new property then take a look at some home loan options such as the one outlined by Nedbank as this can help you install the system by getting that extra 10% loan.
Ready to Switch to Solar?
At Eagle Eye Solar, a trusted solar company in Durban, we help homeowners find the right solar energy solution through simple and straightforward advice based on over 30 years of technical experience. With rising electricity costs, solar rebates, the unpredictability of loadshedding, and the positive effect on property value – now is the perfect time to make the switch to clean, renewable energy.