Your Questions Answered: Transitioning to Renewable Energy Made Simple

Switching to Renewable Energy is Easier Than You Think

We recently asked our LinkedIn community a crucial question: What’s your biggest blocker when it comes to adopting renewable energy for your business? The responses highlighted four clear concerns:

● Upfront infrastructure costs – 57%

● Uncertainty around reliability – 20%

● Long, inflexible contracts – 16%

● Lack of knowledge – 7%

We hear you, and we’re here to help. For too long, these concerns have created a perception that buying renewable energy commercially is complex, expensive, and risky. However, in 2025, transitioning to renewable energy is easy.

South Africa is undergoing a critical energy transition. With rising electricity prices, load shedding, and mounting pressure to decarbonise, renewable energy has become not just a climate imperative – but a business one. Yet despite the growing availability of solar and other clean technologies, adoption has been slower than expected.

For many businesses, the process feels complex, costly, or uncertain. Decision-makers worry about whether green power will be reliable, whether the contracts will suit their needs, and whether their teams have the knowledge to make the switch confidently. These are real concerns, and ones that need clear, practical solutions if South Africa is to unlock the full benefits of renewable energy at scale.

Why South Africa’s Energy Transition is Difficult, Yet More Crucial Than Ever

South Africa possesses abundant solar resources, positioning it ideally for a renewable energy revolution. Despite this potential, the widespread adoption of renewable energy has encountered unique challenges. Historically, a deep-seated reliance on fossil fuels, particularly coal, has shaped the national energy infrastructure. Furthermore, the initial high capital cost of renewable energy technologies, coupled with limited grid infrastructure in some of the most resource-rich areas, has acted as a significant barrier.

Despite these hurdles, the imperative for businesses to “go green” and cut carbon emissions is now more critical than ever for several compelling reasons:

Firstly, ongoing electricity challenges and rising tariffs represent a daily operational reality for virtually every business in South Africa. Sole reliance on the national grid exposes businesses to unpredictable costs and operational instability. Renewable energy offers a pathway to greater energy independence and cost predictability, shielding businesses from these volatile fluctuations.

Secondly, the global and local push towards decarbonisation is gaining unstoppable momentum. South Africa has committed to ambitious climate goals, and carbon taxes are set to increase significantly from 2026, with allowances being phased out. Businesses will soon face a much higher cost for their carbon emissions, making a reduction in their carbon footprint not just an environmental imperative but a distinct financial necessity. Beyond direct taxation, consumers, investors, and stakeholders are increasingly demanding that businesses demonstrate environmental responsibility.

Finally, embracing renewable energy is not merely about mitigating risks; it is about seizing opportunity. It involves securing a stable and potentially lower-cost energy supply for the long term, gaining a competitive edge, and future-proofing operations in an increasingly carbon-constrained global economy.

Here’s how SOLA makes going green easier than ever

SOLA has pioneered solutions designed to dismantle the traditional barriers to the adoption of renewable solutions. The aim is to make buying renewable energy for a business simple, affordable, and reliable. Here are four key ways SOLA facilitates an easier transition to green energy:

1. Upfront Infrastructure Costs: Solved Through Wheeling

The significant upfront infrastructure cost is the primary blocker for a large percentage of businesses. Investing in large-scale solar infrastructure can represent a substantial capital outlay, potentially diverting funds from core business activities. SOLA addresses this by specialising in innovative financing models, particularly the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).

Through a PPA, a business does not purchase the solar plant itself; instead, it simply buys energy from it. SOLA undertakes the design, financing, construction, ownership, operation, and maintenance of the renewable energy system on the business’s behalf. With a wheeling PPA, energy from an off-site generator (like a solar farm) is “delivered” to a business using the existing Eskom grid. The business only pays for the clean electricity consumed at a pre-agreed, often lower tariff than Eskom, with no upfront capital expenditure required.

You don’t need to pay for panels, construction, or land, you simply buy renewable energy from us the way it would be bought from Eskom.

2. Reliability: A Proven Track Record

Concerned about the consistency of supply? Understandable. But wheeled renewable energy is now a mature, tested solution. At SOLA, we have over a decade of experience building and operating utility-scale solar plants, including the very first wheeling project in South Africa. We also plan on integrating battery storage solutions, ensuring continuity even when the sun doesn’t shine. This ensures businesses get the reliability their operations demand – minus the carbon emissions.

3. Contract Flexibility: Designed for Today’s Businesses

The apprehension regarding long, inflexible contracts is a common barrier, but businesses evolve, and energy contracts should too. That’s why we offer flexible solutions that suit various business stages and appetite for commitment.

Shorter-term PPAs allow for a range of contract durations, including flexible 2-to-5-year contracts, or rolling contracts with a pre-determined termination notice period. This provides businesses with unpredictable future energy requirements, or those simply preferring shorter commitments, the flexibility they need.

4. Knowledge Gaps: Let’s Make It Simple

As a leader in South Africa’s renewable energy sector since 2008, SOLA understands the concerns expressed by businesses. Our team is here to explain the basics, guide you through the process, and handle the technical stuff. From feasibility to switching over, the process can be straightforward and jargon-free.

Ready to Make the Switch?

South Africa’s energy landscape is changing – and SOLA is making it easier for your business to be part of the solution. Clean, affordable energy is within reach.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Contact SOLA via the Buy Energy page or a direct call, providing an overview of the business and its current energy consumption.

2. Expert teams will conduct an analysis of the business’s energy profile and operational requirements.

3. Based on the assessment, a customised renewable energy solution will be presented, complete with estimated energy savings and projected carbon reductions.

4. Upon acceptance of the proposal, the PPA will be finalised. SOLA will then facilitate the integration of your energy supply with our wheeled power, ensuring a seamless transition.

5. Ongoing Operations & Support: SOLA owns, operates, and maintains the renewable energy source (off-site), guaranteeing performance and delivering reliable, clean energy directly to your business via the grid.

It’s that easy. Clean energy, made simple.

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