Starting April 1, 2026, South African homeowners with solar panels will face big changes. Eskom, the main power company, will raise fixed charges by 88% and require homeowners to pay R20,000 to R50,000 for new compliance costs. If they don’t meet these rules, they could be cut off from the electricity grid. This shift has sparked criticism as many worry it will make solar power too expensive for average families, even as it aims to offer fairer costs for everyone using the grid. As homeowners navigate these new rules, they are at a crossroads in balancing the benefits of solar energy with rising costs and regulations.
