A Ray of Hope: How Affordable Solar Power Is Changing Lives in South Africa

Edited By: Tendai Zola

For Mark Moodley, a resident of Benoni, east of Johannesburg, the decision to install a solar power system at home was not just about convenience — it was a matter of survival.

His 81-year-old mother, who recently spent three weeks in intensive care, now relies on an oxygen concentrator to breathe. But South Africa’s unreliable electricity supply frequently left her in a life-threatening situation.

“There were days with six-hour blackouts,” Moodley recalls. “I had to use a car battery for her oxygen tank. When that failed, we had to lift her arms to help her breathe, and sometimes rush her to the hospital. It was terrifying.”

Since installing the solar system, he no longer fears the dark. “Now I can sleep knowing her oxygen tank will stay on. It’s truly been a lifesaver.”

Power Outages Still a Reality

Despite modest improvements, power outages remain a persistent issue in South Africa after nearly 15 years of load-shedding — scheduled blackouts designed to protect the country’s aging, coal-dependent grid.

While the energy crisis has stunted economic growth and cost jobs, the wealthy have started to disconnect from the grid entirely, investing in private solar systems costing between $14,000 and $19,600. But for the majority of South Africans, these costs are prohibitive.

A Pay-As-You-Go Alternative

Moodley, however, found an alternative: a pay-as-you-go system offered by Wetility, a local start-up. With no large upfront payment required, he pays around $60 per month — a manageable sum that slashed his power bill by $80 weekly.

Founded in 2019, Wetility recognized a market need for affordable solar solutions tailored to households and small businesses. “Access to electricity means little if it’s unreliable or unaffordable,” says Vincent Maposa, Wetility’s founder. “We had to create solutions that are financially accessible and technically practical.”

The company’s innovation lies in offering flexible payment models — similar to mobile phone plans — and customized solar setups, including thin-film panels designed to deter theft and accommodate fragile township rooftops.

Security and Simplicity

Wetility’s energy unit combines a solar inverter and battery, encased in a 300kg steel box bolted to a wall to prevent theft — a crucial detail in high-crime areas. This unit ensures homes and businesses have power even after sunset.

Julius Koobetseng, a shopkeeper in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, credits the solar system with saving his grocery store from collapse.

“Without power, meat and dairy would spoil. Sometimes we’d go four days in the dark,” says the 43-year-old entrepreneur.

He now pays $250 a month, but says it’s worth every cent. “People know I stay open even during blackouts. They come to charge their phones — and end up shopping. Business is better.”

For Koobetseng, it’s not about lowering the electricity bill — it’s about consistency. “Solar gave me control again. I can plan for the future.”