Before you can judge whether solar makes financial sense, you need an honest figure for what you spend on power today. Most people underestimate it.
Step 1: Generator fuel
Track fuel purchases for a typical month. If you do not have receipts, estimate:
litres per hour × hours per day × days per month × price per litre
A small petrol generator commonly uses around a litre per hour under moderate load; larger sets use more. Check the hour meter if your generator has one.
Step 2: Generator maintenance
Include oil changes, filters, plugs, servicing and repairs. Spread occasional large repairs over the year.
Step 3: Grid electricity
Add your prepaid unit purchases or postpaid bills. Check your band and tariff on your DisCo receipt.
Step 4: Hidden costs
- Spoiled food or stock during outages
- Damaged appliances from voltage fluctuations
- Lost trading or working time
- Fuel queues and transport
Bringing it together
The total is your baseline. A solar system’s value is measured against this baseline — not against grid tariffs alone.
Use our energy bill analysis calculator to combine these figures and see an indicative saving.