The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) says the country’s solar PV industry stands ready to become the backbone of a competitive, low-carbon economy.

“We welcome the strategic focus on local government reform and economic growth outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his 2026 State of the Nation Address (SoNA).

“With a robust pipeline of over 16 GW [of new generation capacity] and a broader renewable [pipeline] of 220 GW, the solar PV industry is no longer just a participant, it is the primary engine of South Africa’s transformative change,” says SAPVIA technical and policy manager Sim Khuluse.

“President Ramaphosa’s call for 2026 to be a year of transformative change resonates deeply with the solar PV industry. Momentum is building, but a clean energy future remains stalled behind the grid.

“Grid access is the ultimate bottleneck. Without it, renewables remain constrained. Unlocking our infrastructure isn't just a technical fix, it is the only way to ensure the energy transition uplifts every South African,” Khuluse adds.

However, SAPVIA, in a media release, warns that national commitment can be undermined by local government inconsistency.

While the President aims to fix local government, SAPVIA says it remains concerned that inconsistent municipal implementation of wheeling frameworks and small-scale embedded generation (SSEG) rules continues to frustrate private investment.

For the solar transition to succeed, the association says the relationship between distributors and citizens must be based on clearly articulated guidelines and efficient systems rather than punitive measures.

“Furthermore, we welcome the President’s commitment to establishing a fully independent transmission entity with ownership and control of assets, free from the structural constraints of Eskom Holdings.

“This marks a transformative milestone for the country’s energy landscape,” says Khuluse.

This year, SAPVIA says it will continue to advocate for a fully liberated energy ecosystem and modernised distribution networks that unlock the power of decentralised solar to transform rural economies, turning sunlight into the backbone of South African irrigation, refrigeration and industrial growth.

“We are committed to ensuring that the R72-billion in private investment expected by 2030 translates into local value, creating jobs, manufacturing capacity and energy security for all,” says Khuluse.