Electricity tariffs in South Africa continue to rise, placing increasing pressure on supermarkets and retailers.

With NERSA-approved increases set to push Eskom tariffs up sharply over the next few years, businesses spending more than R30,000 per month on electricity face growing exposure to rising operating costs.

Sosimple Energy, a leading solar energy finance provider, is addressing this challenge through fully funded solar solutions designed for commercial and retail environments. The company’s model allows businesses to access solar power with ZERO Investment, ZERO maintenance or insurance costs, and ZERO operational hassle, while reducing electricity costs from the first month.

A recent commercial case study in Ekurhuleni highlights the financial impact. A site with annual electricity usage of approximately 6 million kWh, and an average tariff of R2.68 per kWh, faced electricity costs exceeding R16 million per year. Under a 10-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) structure, Sosimple Energy proposed a 1 MW solar system supplying 60 to 70 percent of daytime demand at a lower energy rate.

The projected outcomes included monthly savings exceeding R130,000 and first-year savings of more than R1.5 million, with long-term savings reaching tens of millions of rand over the project lifetime.

The system required no upfront capital from the customer and included full operations, maintenance, and insurance within the service offering.

Despite these benefits, many businesses delay implementation. According to Sosimple Energy, this delay carries a direct financial cost. In the Ekurhuleni example, a one-year delay equates to more than R1.5 million in lost savings, while a three-year delay exceeds R5 million.

On a daily basis, this represents thousands of rand in avoidable expenditure.

“The market has matured significantly,” says Liana Braxton Managing Director for Sosimple Energy. “Businesses now have access to structured, zero-capex solutions that remove the barriers traditionally associated with solar adoption. The challenge is no longer availability, but decision-making.”

Sosimple Energy has established a strong track record in the retail sector, including a long-standing relationship with The Shoprite Group of Companies. Through this partnership, the company has developed solutions tailored to the operational and commercial requirements of large-scale retail environments.

In addition to working with tenants, Sosimple Energy partners with landlords to unlock additional revenue from rooftop space. This dual-approach model aligns incentives across property owners and tenants, enabling broader adoption while improving asset value and income potential.

As electricity costs continue to rise, solar is increasingly viewed as a financial decision rather than a sustainability initiative. For retailers operating in a highly competitive environment, reducing energy costs without impacting capital budgets is becoming a key strategic priority.

Sosimple Energy encourages businesses with monthly electricity spend exceeding R30,000 to assess their current exposure and evaluate available solar options.

For more information or to request a savings assessment, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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