Is There Still a Solar Tax Rebate in South Africa? What Ended and What's Left (2026)
Prices and facts checked 16 October 2026. We don't accept payment for rankings.
Short answer: no. The SARS solar tax rebate was a one-year incentive for new rooftop solar panels installed between 1 March 2023 and 29 February 2024. It gave individuals 25% of the cost of the panels, up to R15,000, off their 2024 tax bill. Panels installed after 29 February 2024 don't qualify, and SARS hasn't announced a replacement (SARS solar tax benefit FAQ; SARS Solar Tax Rebate page).
General information, not tax advice. If you installed qualifying panels during the window and didn't claim, ask a tax practitioner whether your 2024 return can still be corrected.
How the rebate worked
According to SARS:
- Who: individuals who pay personal income tax. Business premises didn't qualify.
- What: new and unused solar PV panels of at least 275W each, brought into use for the first time between 1 March 2023 and 29 February 2024.
- Where: connected to the distribution board of a home used mainly (more than 50%) for domestic purposes, with an electrical certificate of compliance issued after installation.
- How much: 25% of the cost of the panels only, up to R15,000 per taxpayer.
- Excluded: batteries, inverters, fittings, generators, installation costs and portable panels.
SARS's own examples
From the SARS Solar Tax Rebate page:
| Panels bought | Cost | 25% | Rebate allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 panels at R4,000 | R40,000 | R10,000 | R10,000 |
| 20 panels at R4,000 | R80,000 | R20,000 | R15,000 (the maximum) |
It was claimed on the 2024 ITR12 (source code 4056), with a VAT invoice showing the panel cost separately, proof of payment and the certificate of compliance.
Is solar still worth it without the rebate?
The rebate has gone, but electricity keeps getting more expensive. Eskom's direct tariffs rose 8.76% from 1 April 2026, and municipal bulk tariffs about 9.01% from 1 July 2026 (Eskom). See our electricity increase guide.
There's a catch for solar owners. Eskom is moving more of residential bills into fixed charges that you pay however little electricity you use. For Homepower and Homeflex, the fixed service and administration charge rose to 66.66% of the originally proposed amount for 2026/27, with energy rates lowered to compensate (Eskom 2026/27 tariff information). Solar cuts the energy part of your bill, not the fixed part, so check the payback carefully.
A simple payback check
- Look at your bill: how much is energy (per kWh) and how much is fixed charges?
- Get the kWh your system will produce, in writing from the installer.
- Multiply by your energy rate (not your total bill ÷ kWh).
- Divide the system cost by the yearly saving to get a rough payback period.
- Compare financing: if you use a home loan or solar loan, include interest at today's rates. Prime is 10.75% (Moneyweb). Our bond repayment calculator can help.
FAQ
Is the SARS solar rebate still available in 2026?
No. It only applied to panels brought into use between 1 March 2023 and 29 February 2024.
How much was the solar tax rebate?
25% of the cost of new solar PV panels, up to a maximum of R15,000 per taxpayer.
Did batteries and inverters qualify?
No. Only the PV panels counted. Batteries, inverters, installation and fittings were excluded.
Can I still claim if I installed panels in 2023 but didn't claim?
It had to be claimed on the 2024 tax return. Ask a registered tax practitioner whether a correction is possible in your case.
Is there a new solar incentive?
We haven't found any new individual solar tax incentive announced by SARS or the Treasury as of October 2026.
Sources
Pages we used for this article, checked on or before the update date above.
- SARS solar tax benefit FAQ · sars.gov.za
- SARS Solar Tax Rebate page · sars.gov.za
- SARS · sars.gov.za
- Eskom · eskom.co.za
- Moneyweb · moneyweb.co.za
Changelog: 16 Oct 2026, first published.