Eskom is changing how it charges for electricity starting April 2025, with new fixed monthly fees that hit solar homes hard. Even families with rooftop panels will face bigger bills—some rising by up to 75% by 2027—and must install smart meters and register their systems. This makes going solar trickier and more expensive, shaking the hope for easy energy independence. South Africans who once cheered their solar success now face tough choices amid rising costs and red tape. The future of rooftop solar feels uncertain as the country balances clean energy dreams with the reality of a costly power grid.
