Solar Panels in South Africa: Free Quotes from Local Installers
Free quotes from solar suppliers and installers across South Africa. One request, no obligation.
Solar panels turn sunlight into electricity, and South Africa has some of the best sun in the world for it. SolarPanel.co.za is a free quote service. You fill in one form and we send your request to independent installers and suppliers in your area, who quote you directly. We do not sell, supply, install or service anything ourselves. There is no fee and no obligation, so you can compare several quotes before you decide what to buy and who should fit it.
Types of solar panels for homes and businesses
Almost every panel sold for roofs in South Africa is a photovoltaic (PV) module made from silicon cells. The main differences are in the cell type and the construction.
- Monocrystalline: the most common choice today. Dark, efficient and good in limited roof space.
- Polycrystalline: older, bluer cells with slightly lower efficiency. Now less common on the market.
- Bifacial and half-cut cell modules: collect light on both sides or lose less to shading. Useful on flat roofs and ground mounts.
- Thin film: flexible or lightweight panels for special surfaces. Rarely used on ordinary homes.
Panel size is quoted in watts. For more on the larger modules, see 550W solar panels.
How many panels does a house need?
The number depends on how much electricity you use, how many peak sun hours your area gets, and how much roof you have facing north, east or west with little shade. A system is sized in kWp, which is the combined rating of its panels. Panels alone do not run a house during load-shedding. For that you need an inverter and usually a battery, which is why many people ask for a full system instead.
You can get a rough idea with our solar calculator, and an installer will confirm it after looking at your electricity bill, your roof and your daily usage pattern.
Roof type, wind, hail and coastal conditions
Roofs differ, and so does the way panels are fixed to them. IBR and corrugated sheeting use clamps or rail feet, concrete and clay tiles use roof hooks, slate needs careful flashing, and flat concrete roofs use ballasted or angled frames. Our page on solar panel mounting explains these options.
Also ask about hail, which is a real risk on the Highveld, and about wind loading. Near the coast, salt corrosion matters, so frames, bolts and cabling should suit the environment. The roof itself should be sound before panels go on, and your insurer needs to be told about the installation.
What affects the price of solar panels
We do not publish prices, because the cost depends on the job. Installers and suppliers will look at:
- Panel size, quantity and quality class.
- Roof type, height and access.
- Mounting hardware, cabling and protection devices.
- Whether you also need an inverter, batteries or an electrical upgrade.
- Registration with your municipality or Eskom, and the Electrical Certificate of Compliance.
For a closer look, read our guide to solar panel prices. Giving each supplier the same details lets you compare like for like.
What to include in your request
- Your suburb and roof type
- Roof direction and any shading
- Monthly electricity use or a recent bill
- Whether you want battery backup
- Estate or body corporate rules
Solar Panels at different properties
- Family homes: rooftop arrays on freestanding houses, sized to the household's daytime use and the roof's orientation
- Estate homes: neat, low-profile arrays that satisfy design rules and suit larger double-storey roofs
- Townhouses and flats: small arrays on a shared or individual roof, usually needing body corporate consent first
- Farms, smallholdings and lodges: roof or ground-mounted arrays for sheds, pumps and cold rooms, often far from the grid
- Shops, offices and schools: daytime-load roof arrays on shops, offices and clinics that use most power while open
- Factories and warehouses: large flat-roof arrays for factories and warehouses, with engineering sign-off and grid approval
Frequently asked questions
Does SolarPanel.co.za sell or install solar panels?
Which solar panels are best for South African homes?
Do I need approval before putting solar panels on my roof?
Can solar panels work during load-shedding?
Solar Panels by province and city
- 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
More solar products and services
Solar panels & mounting
Solar power systems
Inverters & batteries
Solar geysers & pool heating
Solar pumps & lights
Get free solar quotes
Tell us what you need and where. An installer or supplier who works in your area quotes you directly. Free, no obligation.
Size it roughly (optional)
Tick what must keep running when the power is off. The estimate goes into your request so installers can quote closer to what you need.
5.0 kWh per kWp a day
Tick a few loads or enter your monthly units to see a size.
A rough guide only. An installer confirms the size after looking at your bill, roof and distribution board.