Solar & energy in Pretoria (Tshwane)

Excellent sun. Tshwane SSEG program available. Load shedding major driver.

Avg electricity rate
R2.9/kWh
South Africa average
Peak sun hours
5.5
Annual average
Net metering
fair
City of Tshwane SSEG
Solar friendliness
★★★★★
Out of 5

Key facts

  • RegionGauteng
  • CountrySouth Africa
  • CityPretoria (Tshwane)
  • Average rateR2.9/kWh
  • Peak rate (TOU)R4.6/kWh
  • Off-peak rate (TOU)R1.7/kWh
  • Peak sun hours5.5 hrs/day
  • Net metering policyCity of Tshwane SSEG
  • NM qualityFair
  • Solar friendliness rating★★★★★/5

Available incentives

  • SARS s12B deduction
  • Tshwane SSEG tariff

Net metering quality

Quality of net metering policy (higher = better for solar economics):

Fair — City of Tshwane SSEG

What this means

Fair net metering policies pay less than retail for exports. Consider self-consumption or a battery.

Example: 900 kWh/month household in Pretoria (Tshwane)

At 5.5 peak sun hours and a 400W panel, you'd need approximately 15 panels (6.0 kW system) to cover your usage. That produces ~10,359 kWh/year, saving about R30,040/year at the 2.9/kWh local rate.

Run the full calculator

Going solar in Pretoria (Tshwane)

Pretoria (Tshwane), in Gauteng, South Africa, has 5.5 average peak sun hours per day — excellent for solar. The local electricity rate is R2.9/kWh, which is above the South Africa average.

Net metering in Pretoria (Tshwane) is rated fair. City of Tshwane SSEG. This significantly affects solar payback: with excellent net metering, every excess kWh you produce is credited at full retail value; with poor net metering, exports may be worth only 10-30% of retail, making battery storage much more attractive.

Available incentives include: SARS s12B deduction, Tshwane SSEG tariff. These can substantially reduce the upfront cost of solar and battery installations. Note: the US federal solar tax credit expired December 31, 2025. State and local incentives still vary by region. South African taxpayers can claim accelerated depreciation under SARS section 12B.

Next steps

Use the Solar Panel Sizing Calculator with 5.5 peak sun hours to find out exactly how many panels you need. Then check the Solar Savings Calculator for a 25-year projection using the local R2.9/kWh rate. If net metering is poor in Pretoria (Tshwane), also run the Battery ROI Calculator — batteries may be essential rather than optional.