Fear of panel theft is holding back South African solar adoption, Eastern Cape study finds

Fear that solar panels will be stolen is a major barrier to household solar adoption, according to a peer-reviewed study by researchers from Rhodes University and the University of Pretoria, published in the MDPI journal Environments and summarised in The Conversation Africa.

The researchers surveyed 143 households - 49 high-income and 94 low-income - in Gqeberha, KuGompo, Makhanda and Komani in the Eastern Cape.

60% of wealthier households and 52% of lower-income households cited theft as a worry, while nearly 90% of respondents said they would adopt solar power to escape load shedding power cuts. Upfront cost was the main barrier, cited by 86% of high-income and 58% of low-income households.

Solar makes up less than 10% of South Africa's energy mix, while 74% of electricity still comes from coal.

The authors recommend community solar mini-grids with security guards for low-income areas, and anti-theft fasteners plus motion-sensor lighting for high-income homes - a direct market signal for security installers as rooftop solar spreads.

Source: The Conversation Africa, 16 April 2026 - theconversation.com