|
# |
Company |
Best For |
Founded |
Key Strength |
|
1 |
Solareff |
Large Commercial/Industrial |
2010 |
191MWp+ installed capacity |
|
2 |
SolarAfrica |
Commercial Rent to Own |
2011 |
60MW+ financed and delivered |
|
3 |
Hohm Energy |
Online Solar Marketplace |
2022 |
Tech driven platform |
|
4 |
GoSolr |
Residential Subscription |
2021 |
SA's largest solar subscription |
|
5 |
Rubicon |
Equipment and Distribution |
2007 |
Premium product supply chain |
|
6 |
Wetility |
Commercial Solar as a Service |
2019 |
Zero upfront commercial PPA |
|
7 |
AWPower |
Affordable Residential |
2016 |
Budget friendly packages |
|
8 |
Sunlar |
Residential Panels and Geysers |
2015 |
Local manufacturing focus |
|
9 |
Dorman Energy Group |
Integrated Energy Solutions |
2014 |
Multi technology approach |
|
10 |
Bright Tec Solutions |
Small Residential Projects |
2014 |
Affordable local installer |
Johannesburg sits 1,753 metres above sea level, under some of the most intense ultraviolet radiation anywhere in Africa. The city gets an average of 5.4 to 5.7 peak sun hours per day, which is more than enough to make rooftop solar a genuinely smart investment. Pair that with City Power electricity tariffs that have climbed more than 15% year on year, the lingering threat of load shedding, and a municipal net metering programme that now lets homeowners feed excess energy back into the grid, and the case for going solar in Joburg in 2026 has never been stronger.
But here is the challenge. The solar boom has attracted hundreds of installers to the Gauteng market, and the quality gap between the best and the worst is enormous. An excellent installer will design a system that matches your roof orientation and load profile, use tier one panels and reputable inverters, handle the City Power application and compliance certificate, and be around in five years when you need warranty support. A bad one will cut corners on everything from mounting rails to wiring, leave you without a valid COC, and disappear when things go wrong.
Icon Polls spent considerable time reviewing and evaluating solar companies operating across Johannesburg in 2026. We looked at track record, installation quality, customer feedback, SAPVIA membership, equipment brands, pricing transparency, after sales support, and financial stability. What follows is our editorial selection of the ten best solar installation companies serving homes and businesses in Johannesburg this year.
1. Solareff
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If we are talking about pure scale and engineering pedigree in the Johannesburg solar market, Solareff is difficult to look past. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Roodepoort, this company has installed more than 191 megawatt peak of solar PV across South Africa, making it one of the largest specialist solar installers in the country. They focus primarily on medium to large scale commercial, industrial, and agricultural projects, though their capabilities extend to any rooftop or ground mounted system.
What sets Solareff apart is their in house engineering team. Every project goes through a proper engineering design process before a single panel goes on the roof. They handle procurement, construction, monitoring, and ongoing maintenance as a full turnkey operation. In 2023, Solareff was acquired by STANLIB, which gave the company a significant financial backing boost. With around 130 employees as of 2026, they have the depth to manage multiple large projects simultaneously without quality slipping. For any business in Johannesburg looking at a system above 100kWp, Solareff should be on the shortlist.
2. SolarAfrica
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SolarAfrica has been operating since 2011 and has carved out a strong niche in the commercial and industrial solar space across sub Saharan Africa. Founded by James Irons and headquartered in Centurion, the company has financed and delivered over 60 megawatts of solar projects. Their model is particularly appealing for businesses that want solar but do not want the capital outlay. SolarAfrica provides systems on a rent to own basis, meaning the company finances, installs, and maintains the system while the client pays a fixed monthly fee that is typically lower than their existing electricity bill.
The company raised $15 million in funding, with its most recent round in January 2026, signalling strong investor confidence. Their annual revenue hit approximately $8.8 million in 2026. For Johannesburg businesses, especially those in office parks, retail centres, and warehouses with large roof areas, SolarAfrica offers a financially accessible route to solar without dipping into operating capital. They partner with qualified local installers who meet their quality standards, which adds a layer of vetting that independent operators do not always have.
3. Hohm Energy
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Hohm Energy takes a different approach to the solar market. Rather than being a traditional installer, Hohm operates as an online marketplace and technology platform that connects homeowners and businesses with accredited solar installers, product suppliers, and financing options. Think of it as a one stop digital shop for your entire solar journey, from initial scoping and system design through to installation and ongoing maintenance.
The platform is particularly useful for Johannesburg homeowners who are new to solar and do not know where to start. You enter your details, Hohm generates a proposal based on your location and energy usage, and then matches you with vetted installers in your area. They also facilitate embedded solar finance, making it possible to go solar with manageable monthly payments rather than a large lump sum. For people who value transparency, price comparison, and a structured process, Hohm Energy is one of the best entry points into solar in Johannesburg in 2026.
4. GoSolr
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GoSolr is South Africa's largest residential solar subscription service, and Johannesburg is one of their primary operating markets. Founded in 2021 and backed by African Rainbow Capital, GoSolr offers a simple proposition: they install solar panels, an inverter, and a battery at your home for a fixed monthly subscription starting from around R1,399 per month. You do not pay for the equipment upfront. GoSolr owns the system, installs it, and maintains it. You just pay your monthly fee and enjoy reduced electricity costs.
This model has proven hugely popular in suburbs across Sandton, Fourways, Bryanston, and other northern Johannesburg areas where homeowners want protection from load shedding and rising tariffs without committing R100,000 or more upfront. GoSolr also enables City of Cape Town and City Power customers to feed excess energy back to the grid. For Joburg homeowners who want solar with zero upfront cost and predictable monthly payments, GoSolr is one of the most compelling options available.
5. Rubicon
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Rubicon is a sustainable technology group that has become one of the most important names in the South African solar supply chain. Based in Century City, the company is primarily a distributor and supplier of premium solar equipment, including panels, inverters, batteries, and electric vehicle charging systems. Their installer portal is used by hundreds of accredited installers across Johannesburg and the wider Gauteng region.
While Rubicon does not install systems directly in most cases, they play a critical role in the ecosystem. When a Johannesburg installer tells you they use tier one equipment from brands like Canadian Solar, Trina, Deye, or BYD, there is a good chance that equipment came through Rubicon's distribution network. They also provide technical support and training to installers, which raises the quality bar across the industry. For businesses looking to source equipment for larger self managed projects, Rubicon is a go to partner.
6. Wetility
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Wetility operates in the commercial solar as a service space and has been gaining significant traction in Johannesburg's business district since its founding in 2019. Their model is straightforward: they fund, install, own, and operate solar and battery systems on commercial rooftops, selling the power back to the building owner at a rate lower than the municipal tariff. It is a zero upfront cost model that makes solar accessible to businesses that cannot justify a capital expenditure on energy infrastructure.
What makes Wetility stand out is their focus on smart energy management. Their systems come with monitoring software that tracks generation, consumption, and grid interaction in real time. For Johannesburg businesses dealing with variable demand profiles and the unpredictability of City Power supply, this level of visibility and control is valuable. Wetility is particularly strong in the office, retail, and light industrial sectors across Gauteng.
7. AWPower
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AWPower has built a reputation in Johannesburg for offering affordable, quality solar solutions that make the technology accessible to a broader range of homeowners and small businesses. They provide everything from entry level backup systems to full hybrid installations with battery storage, and they are known for being upfront about pricing with no hidden costs.
Their strength lies in the mid market. Not everyone in Johannesburg needs a 15kW system with 30kWh of battery storage. For a three bedroom home in areas like Randburg, Roodepoort, or Midrand, a well designed 5kW system with a modest battery can cut the electricity bill by 60% or more. AWPower designs systems to match the customer's actual needs rather than overselling, which is a refreshing approach in a market where some installers push the most expensive option regardless of the client's usage patterns.
8. Sunlar
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Sunlar is a South African manufacturer and installer that focuses on providing A grade solar panels designed for both residential and commercial customers. What distinguishes Sunlar from many competitors is their emphasis on local manufacturing and local warranties. When you buy from Sunlar, you are dealing with a company that stands behind its product on South African soil, not chasing an international warranty through a foreign distributor.
They offer grid tie, hybrid, and off grid solutions, along with solar geysers, which remain one of the most cost effective solar investments for Johannesburg households. A solar geyser alone can reduce a home's electricity consumption by 30% to 40%, and Sunlar bundles these with panel installations for a comprehensive package. Their after sales service has received consistent praise from customers across Gauteng.
9. Dorman Energy Group
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Dorman Energy Group takes a multi technology approach to energy solutions, which makes them a good fit for Johannesburg businesses and homeowners who want more than just solar panels. They offer solar PV, battery energy storage, inverters, UPS systems, and integrated energy management solutions. Their team handles everything from initial consultation and system design through to installation and long term maintenance.
For commercial clients in particular, Dorman's ability to combine solar with battery storage and backup power in a single integrated solution is a major advantage. Johannesburg businesses that have been burned by load shedding and are running expensive diesel generators will find Dorman's hybrid approach far more cost effective over the medium to long term. They are not the cheapest option on the market, but the engineering quality and system integration capabilities justify the premium for clients who need reliable, uninterrupted power.
10. Bright Tec Solutions
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Based in Yeoville and operating across both Johannesburg and Pretoria since 2014, Bright Tec Solutions rounds out our list as a solid choice for smaller residential projects. They started as a general electrical and security installation company and have expanded into solar over the past several years. What they lack in the brand recognition of larger players, they make up for with personal service, competitive pricing, and a hands on approach that many homeowners appreciate.
Customer reviews consistently highlight their responsiveness, professionalism, and willingness to explain the installation process clearly. For homeowners in central and eastern Johannesburg who need a straightforward solar and battery backup installation without the complexity of dealing with a large corporate operation, Bright Tec offers a local, trusted option that delivers reliable workmanship.