Solar batteries: A beginner’s guide for African businesses

The key questions to ask before investing in solar batteries for your business

Across Africa, businesses are facing energy challenges such as rising grid costs and loadshedding. Solar batteries are emerging as a sustainable solution, offering businesses a greener and more reliable energy alternative.

Solar batteries store excess energy generated during the day. Intelligent battery software factors then analyse the usage history, solar production, utility rate structures and weather patterns to enhance usage of stored energy. Power is then discharged from the battery in a way that meets the customer’s needs.

But the key question is, what path should businesses take to access this efficient future?

Choosing the right solar battery

The first step is understanding the types of batteries available. Your solar battery choice will depend on your budget, performance needs and sustainability goals.

Here are the 3 main options available to African businesses:

1. Lead-acid batteries are the oldest and most established technology. They offer a lower upfront cost but have a shorter lifespan of 3 to 5 years.
2. Lithium-ion batteries are becoming increasingly popular due to their high energy density, a 10–20-year lifespan, and superior performance, but they have a high upfront cost.
3. Sodium-sulfur batteries provide an eco-friendly alternative with a long lifespan, but the technology is still in the early stages of development.

When deciding what batteries to invest in, businesses must weigh price and quality and align the choice with their long-term energy strategy.

Key questions to ask before investing

A solar battery solution is not a one-size-fits-all process. To understand your unique battery needs, you must be aware of what problem you are trying to solve.

For example, peak shaving addresses high electricity costs and grid instability during peak demand periods by utilising a solar battery.

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It is also essential to determine the required amount of energy storage for your business’s operations. This is achieved by understanding your business’s daily electricity use. To calculate this, you must ask 3 key questions:

1. What appliances need to run off the battery bank?
2. For how long do these appliances need to run off the battery bank?
3. Will your battery be used during loadshedding, evenings, nights and mornings?

The clearer your understanding of your energy needs, the better outcomes for your business.

Safety and compliance standards to consider

Compliance with safety standards is essential as it guarantees safety and protects your business from liability risks. Regulations differ across regions; therefore, it is necessary to understand the rules specific to your country.

In South Africa, you are required to comply with Schedule 2 Gazette No. 43151 of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA). It is also advisable to clarify your circumstances with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).

Bankability

Investing in solar storage solutions can be a significant expense for businesses. It is therefore imperative to understand what banks and financial institutions look for when assessing funding applications.

Battery storage projects can take 2 paths when obtaining finance:

1. Traditional procurement: where private sector businesses play a role in designing and assembling the project.
2. Public-private partnership: where the private sector is involved in the entire implementation of the project.

C&I Energy + Storage Summit:

Take note of the C&I Energy + Storage Summit taking place in Sandton, Johannesburg from 4-5 November 2025. The Summit will bring together leading voices within the solar storage space to help Commercial and Industrial businesses gain a better insight into what this technology has to offer.

For African businesses, solar batteries are more than an energy solution; they are an investment in stability, sustainability and growth. By choosing the suitable technology and aligning it with your energy needs, businesses can secure a more reliable future. ESI

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