The Current Ep 7 | SA's solar awakening

Loading player...
This year, South Africa is set to become the tenth-largest solar market in the world. In 2023 R17.5 Billion rands of solar panels were imported into this country. In the latest episode of The Current podcast series, we’re talking all things solar PV – from market dynamics to how much it costs and whether it makes commercial sense for you to install it for your business or your home. Listen to Investec’s Melanie Humphries, Bernard Geldenhuys, and SAPVIA’s De Wet Taljaard, as they enlighten us on SA’s solar boom.

00:00: Intro
01:56: Meet the guests
02:24: Overview of solar in SA and its domination
03:36: 86% of all solar is residential or rooftop
04:24: Large-scale solar PV projects
05:03: SA in comparison to other country's solar adoption
06:20: The impact of residential solar's boom on the national grid
07:16: The cost implications of installing solar
09:46: Homeowners installing solar for commercial value
11:55: Equitable access to solar power
13:55: Local manufacturing of solar lagging behind
14:49: REIPP Programme attracting substantial FDI
15:19: Feeding excess energy back into the grid
17:32: Transmission is the biggest hurdle for large-scale solar
18:50: What is wheeling and why is it important for IPPs?
21:19: Top considerations when installing rooftop solar
22:28: Maintenance of solar equipment
23:10: Loadshedding and solar's relationship is changing
24:17: SMMEs benefit from solar
25:24: What are the risks to SA's solar boom?
28:28 Closing comments and some practical advice
21 May 2024 English South Africa Business · Investing

Other recent episodes

NOW Ep 130 | Global economy: mid-year health check

The global economy has held up but that does not mean risk has faded. At the halfway point of 2026, growth has been stronger than feared and inflation has cooled, but not enough. Central banks remain cautious while energy markets are still exposed to Middle East disruption. For South Africa,…
1 Jul 28 min

Macro Monday Ep121: The three factors weighing on commodities

It’s not just the oil price that’s fallen this month. Platinum, gold, iron ore and copper are also down. Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, at Investec Wealth & Investment International says it reflects a softer Chinese economy, US dollar strength and a new Fed chief who’s a hawk on inflation.
29 Jun 8 min

Investec Minds Ep 2: Anglo's Mark Cutifani on the decisions that define a career

In this episode of Investec Minds, former Anglo American and AngloGold Ashanti CEO Mark Cutifani reflects on the leadership decisions that shaped his career and the mining industry. In conversation with Investec's Nkateko Mathonsi and Patrick Mann, he shares insights on navigating crises, transforming organisational culture, driving innovation, improving mine…
26 Jun 31 min

Macro Monday Ep120: New Fed chief commits to price stability

While peace talks between the US and Iran have helped bring down oil prices and, with them, inflation expectations, Chris Holdsworth, Chief Investment Strategist, at Investec Wealth & Investment International says markets are reading Fed chief Kevin Warsh's commitment to price stability as a sign that a US rate hike…
22 Jun 9 min