“Basic Solar for Homeowners”: Joburg Man Breaks Down 3 Things Every South African Should Know

• A Johannesburg content creator posted a beginner-friendly solar explainer on TikTok, breaking down three core components every homeowner should know
• The clip drew dozens of questions from South Africans wanting to cut their electricity bills and understand solar quotes better
• Viewers ranging from new solar owners to total beginners flooded the comments with questions about geysers, bore holes and system sizes

A Johannesburg man is helping South African homeowners make sense of solar power, one short video at a time.

@wesreddy1 posted a casual, selfie-style TikTok at the end of August, sitting in what looks like a home office with wall notes visible behind him. The clip is overlaid with an infographic titled "Basic Solar for Homeowners – Part 1" and covers the three components that make up almost every residential solar setup.

He kept it simple: solar panels generate power from the sun, the inverter acts as the brain controlling the entire system, and batteries store energy for use when the sun goes down. He framed the information as essential groundwork for anyone comparing quotes or deciding whether to go solar at all, and signed off by teasing a Part 2.

Read also

Cape Town woman shares plug for how she earned R70,000 before demolishing a house

Why South Africans are paying attention

With load shedding having reshaped how millions of households think about electricity, solar has moved from a luxury to a practical necessity for many South Africans. Understanding what you are actually buying before signing a contract or accepting a quote is a real need.

The most popular option for urban homes is a hybrid system, which pairs panels, an inverter and battery storage with a grid connection. This setup lowers daily electricity costs and keeps the lights on during outages.

Grid-tied systems are cheaper but offer no backup during power cuts, while off-grid setups suit remote properties but carry a significantly higher upfront cost. Full installations typically range from R74,500 to over R350,000, though rent-to-own models allow homeowners to start with little to no upfront payment.

Watch the full explainer below:

Mzansi responds with questions and tips

The comments section on the TikTok page quickly filled with South Africans at every stage of the solar journey:

Read also

"We did it": SA property flippers complete 60-day AI-inspired house renovation challenge

@Shaun5 asked:

"How many panels would be needed to convert an electric geyser to solar using electricity as backup?"

@Ms shared:

"I have a 5kw battery and 6 panels, is it possible to use during the day and use electricity during the night?"

@Luv-uno wrote:

"Thank you. Installed in June. Eskom is not happy with me 🫣✌️"

@Hi_im_Elri said:

"Love the fact that I barely use electricity, and doing washing every day doesn't touch my electricity."

@ISD noted:

"The most important part of the solar installation is a professional installer!"

@khotsia rilwele asked:

"I need something that can pump water from a borehole and please quote me."

@GoListiq Health 1980 wrote:

"What's the point? The municipality estimates my bill every month so no point for me. So sick of SA. We a hijacked nation 🥺😢"

More on solar and electricity in South Africa

• Briefly News recently reported on Tshwane prepaid meter owners who risk fines of up to R75,000 amid a tampering crackdown.
• South African solar owners were warned they could pay up to R36,000 if they miss the 30 September registration deadline.
• The Reserve Bank surprised households when it raised the repo rate to 7.25%, with inflation expected to climb.

Source: Briefly News