Solar Geysers in South Africa: Compare Free Quotes from Local Suppliers

Types of solar geyser: low pressure, high pressure, flat plate and evacuated tube

Solar geysers differ in how the water is supplied and how the sun is collected.

• Low pressure: fed from a header tank, so pressure at the taps is gentle. Cheaper to buy, but showers can feel weak.
• High pressure: runs at mains or booster-pump pressure, usually the better choice for modern bathrooms and mixers.
• Flat plate collectors: a glazed panel with a dark absorber. Robust and well suited to most regions.
• Evacuated tubes: glass tubes that hold heat well in cold weather, but individual tubes can be damaged by hail.

Systems are either close-coupled, with the tank sitting just above the collectors, or split, with the tank inside the ceiling and the collectors on the roof.

Choosing the right size and position

Solar geysers are commonly sold in sizes from 100 to 300 litres. A 100 or 150 litre tank suits one or two people, 200 litres is a common family size, and 300 litres suits a large household or guest rooms. Heavy users, such as people who bath daily, need more storage than the headcount suggests.

Position matters as much as size. Collectors work best facing north with a clear view of the sky and no shade from trees or neighbouring buildings. In frost-prone areas such as the Highveld and Eastern Cape interior, ask about frost protection. In coastal towns, ask about corrosion-resistant fittings, and in areas with hard water, ask about scale protection. Your roof also has to carry the weight of a full tank, which is why an installer should check the structure first.

Standards, safety and compliance

A properly specified solar water heater is made to SANS 1307 and installed to SANS 10106, with roof and structural requirements covered by SANS 10252-1. Ask each supplier to confirm these in the quote.

• A pressure-control valve, vacuum breakers and a drip tray with a safe outlet are required on the system.
• The plumbing should be done by a plumber registered with PIRB, who can issue a plumbing certificate of compliance.
• Any electrical work on the element and thermostat needs a registered electrician and an Electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC).
• Tell your insurer about the installation, and check whether your municipality needs plans for a roof-mounted tank.

What affects the price of a solar geyser

People often search for the price of a solar geyser, but a fair figure depends on your house. We never quote prices here, and suppliers will want these details:

• Tank size, high or low pressure, and the type of collector.
• Whether you are replacing an old geyser, which you can explore on our conversion page, or building from scratch.
• Roof type, pitch and orientation, and how far the tank is from the bathrooms.
• Pipework, insulation and electrical changes.
• Delivery distance and installation, covered on our installation page.

Comparing two or three quotes on the same specification shows what you are really paying for.

What to include in your request

• Number of people in the household
• Roof type, pitch and which way it faces
• Whether you want high or low pressure
• Old geyser to be replaced or removed
• Any frost, hail, hard water or coastal salt concerns

Solar Geysers at different properties

• Family homes: a roof-mounted tank and collectors on a north-facing roof, supplying hot water to the whole family home
• Estate homes: a neat split system with the tank hidden in the ceiling to meet estate design rules
• Townhouses and flats: a compact system agreed with the body corporate, often shared or sized for a small household
• Farms, smallholdings and lodges: larger tanks for farmhouses, workers' housing or guest cottages, with frost and hard-water protection
• Shops, offices and schools: hot water for kitchens, ablutions or a small guesthouse with steady daily demand
• Factories and warehouses: banks of collectors and large storage for staff showers, canteens or washdown water

Frequently asked questions

Solar Geysers by province and city

• Gauteng
• Mpumalanga
• North West
• Limpopo
• Northern Cape
• Free State
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Eastern Cape
• Western Cape

• Johannesburg
• Pretoria
• Centurion
• Midrand
• Sandton
• Randburg
• Roodepoort
• Krugersdorp
• Randfontein
• Germiston
• Boksburg
• Benoni
• Kempton Park
• Alberton
• Vanderbijlpark
• Vereeniging
• eMalahleni (Witbank)
• Middelburg
• Secunda
• Mbombela (Nelspruit)
• Rustenburg
• Brits
• Klerksdorp
• Potchefstroom
• Polokwane
• Tzaneen
• Lephalale
• Kimberley
• Kathu
• Upington
• Bloemfontein
• Welkom
• Sasolburg
• Durban
• Pinetown
• Pietermaritzburg
• Richards Bay
• Newcastle
• Ladysmith
• Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
• East London
• Kariega (Uitenhage)
• Cape Town
• Bellville
• Paarl
• Stellenbosch
• George
• Worcester

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