Over the past 12 months, Jaltech has successfully completed four Section 12B solar fundraises, with the latest bringing the firm closer to its ambitious goal of deploying R1 billion within the commercial solar sector.

This capital is earmarked for financing commercial and industrial solar systems that can generate electricity at tariffs 30% to 50% lower than Eskom’s current rates.

Jonty Sacks, a partner at Jaltech, emphasized the impact of this initiative: “To date, the capital raised has been utilised to fund over 160 solar projects nationwide. A significant driver of our rapid growth is our ability to fund 100% of the capital expenditure over a period of up to 20 years, providing electricity at rates that offer immediate savings to energy consumers.“

Sacks also pointed out that businesses can fully benefit from the 30% to 50% savings if they consume most of their electricity during the day or can take advantage of energy arbitrage—storing solar-generated electricity during the day for use during peak tariff hours.

Key industries capitalising on solar energy

Key industries capitalising on solar energy include farms, schools, retail shopping centres, commercial offices, manufacturers, and petrol stations.

In Jaltech’s latest fund, 50% of the capital raised has already been allocated to approved solar projects, with the remainder quickly being distributed among the over 50 solar installers and developers partnered with Jaltech. These partnerships enable the delivery of long-term, affordable solar electricity to a growing number of businesses.

Despite the absence of load shedding, demand for commercial solar has remained exceptionally high. Sacks noted, “Our team has reviewed over 450 transactions this year, with a combined value exceeding R4.5 billion.“

The urgency for businesses to adopt solar solutions is further underscored by Eskom’s leaked multi-year draft price application to NERSA, which reveals proposed electricity price increases of 36.15%, 11.81%, and 9.10% for the next three financial years for direct customers. Additionally, Eskom is looking to raise prices for municipal distributors by 43.55%, 3.36%, and 11.07% over the same period. These looming price hikes make solar energy not just a wise decision for businesses but a critical one when seeking to mitigate rising energy costs.

As Eskom’s prices continue to rise, the case for solar becomes increasingly compelling, making it a no-brainer for businesses across various sectors to adopt renewable energy. Jaltech remains at the forefront of this transition, helping businesses to navigate the shift to solar with comprehensive financing solutions and strategic partnerships, ensuring a more sustainable and cost-effective energy landscape in the years to come.

If your company is considering solar energy, contact Jaltech for a zero-risk solar solution. Click here for more information and to contact Jaltech.