The Ways to Go Off the Grid in South Africa

How much does it cost to go off-grid in South Africa?

The start-up costs can be expensive. Depending on your usage needs, estimates for going off the grid range from R150 000 to R350 000. But there is good news. You don’t need to go all in; you can convert to solar gradually.

Can you go completely off the grid in South Africa?

No. According to  De Waal, it simply isn’t feasible. Going off grid is the biggest misconception of the South African energy industry. But, becoming less dependent on the grid, getting through load shedding with fewer operational disruptions and benefitting from significant cost savings, is very possible.

What do I need to get off the grid in South Africa?

Your step-by-step guide to ‘getting off the grid’

Getting a new source of power

• Solar power.

Solar is the go-to form of renewable energy, and it’s a viable option in South Africa, which is ranked highly as a location for solar concentration.

• Gas power.

Bottled LPG gas is an affordable option, and relatively simple to implement. There are also gas generators available on the market now, which according to Angus, are “relatively cheap and cost-effective to run, as well as being far quieter than a diesel generator and with none of the fumes”.

• Battery power.

The go-to option for restaurants and shopping centres that intend to remain open during loadshedding, although homeowners may be put off by the high cost of implementation.

• Ensure to use alternative sources for water

Some of such sources include grey water and rain water.

Grey water refers to left over water from showering or washing clothes. You can use grey water for activities that don’t require fresh water, such as flushing the toilet.

• Practice Recycling

If you plan to live off the grid, you need to avoid wasting valuable resources.

Is solar worth it in South Africa?

Incorporating batteries into a solar installation allows you to store any surplus energy generated for later use when the sun goes down. So, battery storage is undoubtedly worth it in a country such as South Africa, where there are regular power outages.

Where can you live off the grid in South Africa?

The following are major South African spots to get off the grid

• KolKol, Bot River.
• Moongazing Cabin, Mount Bain Private Nature Reserve.
• Appelkooskop Cottage, Bredasdorp.
• Terra-Khaya, Hogsback, Eastern Cape.
• Bride’s Veil Chalet, Drakensberg.
• Stone Haven Cottage at Shawswood Farm, KZN Midlands.
• Kurisa Moya Forest Lodge Cabins, Magoebaskloof, Limpopo.