South Africans who’ve invested in solar power systems to escape load shedding and rising electricity costs are now facing a new twist: Eskom wants them to pay. The embattled power utility has proposed a plan requiring solar users to contribute financially to the national grid—prompting heated debates across the country.

But is this just another desperate money grab, or does Eskom have a point?


The Controversial Proposal

The new plan would impose a fixed monthly fee on households and businesses that use solar panels but remain connected to Eskom’s infrastructure. The rationale? These users still rely on the grid during cloudy days or at night, and Eskom argues they should help fund its maintenance.

Critics call it a penalty for independence.

"This is ridiculous," says Johan van der Merwe, a Cape Town resident who spent over R120,000 installing solar panels and batteries. "I reduced my load on Eskom. Now they want to charge me for using less?"


Why Eskom Says It’s Fair

Eskom argues that as more people go solar, the burden of maintaining the grid shifts unfairly to poorer households who can’t afford alternative power sources. The utility claims the fee is about equity, not profit.

According to Eskom "We must ensure all users pay their fair share for access to the grid. Without this, we risk financial collapse and more blackouts."


Solar Still Saves You Money

Despite the proposed charges, solar remains a smart investment:

  • Energy Independence: Users reduce their reliance on the unstable national grid.

  • Long-Term Savings: Even with a monthly grid fee, solar systems drastically lower monthly electricity bills over time.

  • Property Value: Homes with solar installations often sell at higher prices.

Experts suggest that consumers who install battery storage can potentially disconnect from Eskom completely—avoiding fees and gaining full energy autonomy.




What Can You Do?

  1. Comment on the Proposal: Public participation is open. Make your voice heard via NERSA’s (National Energy Regulator of South Africa) platform.

  2. Go Hybrid Smartly: Invest in larger battery backups to reduce grid reliance.

  3. Monitor Tariff Changes: Stay informed. New regulations may vary by municipality.

  4. Lobby Through Solar Associations: Join community or national solar advocacy groups pushing back against the proposed changes.


The message is clear: Eskom may try to slow down the solar revolution, but it cannot stop it. South Africans are tired of load shedding, tired of price hikes, and tired of broken promises.

And while Eskom’s grid fee plan may spark outrage, it also sparks innovation. More people than ever are now considering fully off-grid options.

In the end, the sun is still free—and for now, that’s something Eskom can’t charge for.