Enter the operating context
Start with bill value, tariff, install type, and optional BESS or demand variables. The interface stays detailed enough for serious buyers, but clean enough for fast comprehension.
Level 1 BBBEEAccredited Since 2015SAPVIA Certified
Slash your electricity bill.
See your ROI in seconds.
A South Africa-specific commercial solar model designed to help modern businesses understand payback, long-term savings, and the business case for solar before a site visit.
All values shown ex. VAT.
Commercial & IndustrialSolutions-first
Up to SavingsR120k/month
Typical Payback3–5 years
Projects Delivered200+
Solar + BESSIntegrated
Smart solar starts with numbers
A calculator experience that feels native to ZPE.
The interaction keeps the speed of a live financial model, but the presentation is designed like a premium ZPE solutions page: strong hierarchy, cleaner proof, and a commercial tone that feels credible in front of operations and finance stakeholders.
Live financial model
Instant boardroom-ready outputs.
Estimated Monthly Savings
R 37,5K
ex. VAT
Payback Period
1.9 years
25-Year Total Savings
R 67M
ex. VAT
CO₂ Reduction
133.7 tons/year
Recommended System99.5 kWpSolar system size
Total CapexR 1,2MInstalled project cost
Net InvestmentR 885,7KAfter Section 12B
Ten-year outlook
Cumulative savings vs Eskom cost.
Assumes annual tariff escalation at 12.74%.
Annual savings
Electricity cost with and without solar.
Finance pathways
Compare capital, cash flow, and ownership.
You purchase the system outright, own the asset, and keep the full value of the savings profile over time.
Monthly Cash Flow
R 37,5K
25-Year Return
R 67M
| Metric | Cash | Loan | PPA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront Capital Required | R 1,2M | R 0 | R 0 |
| Monthly Payment to ZPE | Owned outright | R 26,7K | R 27,6K |
| Month 1 Net Cash Flow | R 37,5K | R 10,8K | R 9,9K |
| Year 1 Net Cash Flow | R 437,9K | R 117,6K | R 106,4K |
| Payback Period | 1.9 yrs | 2.8 yrs | Day 1 positive |
| 25-Year Total Return | R 67M | R 65,4M | R 63,6M |
| Asset Ownership | You own it | You own it | ZPE owns it |
| Section 12B Benefit | Yes | Yes | No |
How the calculator works
A cleaner route from first estimate to bankable conversation.
The UX is intentionally simplified around the commercial buying journey: establish the energy context, reveal a live model instantly, then support the result with finance logic and real project proof.
See the live return model
Key metrics, capex summary, and the ten-year outlook update instantly. The presentation is designed to feel like a polished ZPE commercial insight report rendered on-page.
Use it as a sales-ready starting point
The page then connects the estimate to finance pathways, proof of project delivery, and a direct CTA into the next engineering conversation.
Featured project
Commercial mall grid-tie solar PV project
ZPE’s project-led positioning is echoed here with a case-study treatment that matches the parent website more naturally than a generic feature card.
R120kMonthly savings
Grid-Tie PVSystem type
TshwaneLocation
BESS integration
Battery storage presented like a real project capability.
Storage is positioned as a serious resilience and operations tool, using imagery and composition consistent with ZPE’s engineering-led website tone.
Why choose ZPE
Engineering-led credibility
ZPE positions the calculator as a serious first-pass commercial model, not a gimmick. The layout therefore prioritises boardroom clarity, accredited trust, and financial legibility.
South Africa-specific assumptions
Tariff escalation, Section 12B, BESS options, and operating profile assumptions are presented in a way that feels local, credible, and practical for business decision-makers.
From estimate to proposal
The page is structured to move visitors from a quick financial model into a richer sales conversation supported by project proof, engineer follow-up, and a formal site assessment.
R 885 746
Modelled net investment after Section 12B using the current scenario.
39.7 kWh
Battery storage sized from your selected operating context and backup hours.
7460%
Illustrative 25-year ROI under escalating grid-tariff assumptions.
R 37 500
Total monthly benefit including energy savings and optional demand savings.
Frequently asked questions
Clarity without losing commercial nuance.
A seamless ZPE experience should feel consultative. These answers are therefore written to support trust and decision confidence, not just conversion urgency.
How accurate is this calculator?
It is designed as a reliable first-pass commercial estimate using South African market assumptions. Final project economics still depend on tariff structure, site conditions, operating profile, and engineering review.
What is Section 12B and how does it affect ROI?
Section 12B allows qualifying businesses to deduct the cost of solar and battery assets in year one. In this calculator we model that as a 27% reduction in effective net investment, which improves payback materially.
Why add battery storage?
Battery storage supports resilience, backup capability, and stronger self-consumption. For some clients it also improves demand management and operational continuity during outages.
Does ZPE offer different finance structures?
Yes. The comparison section models cash purchase, solar loan, and PPA-style structures so decision-makers can compare upfront capital, cash flow, and ownership pathways.
Ready to stop overpaying for electricity?
Turn this estimate into a quote-ready engineering enquiry.
Share your contact details, your preferred finance pathway, and any imported bill context. The form prepares a richer quote request so ZPE can pick up the conversation with commercial context already attached.
Current calculator summaryR 37 500 monthly benefit · 1.9 year paybackNo bill PDF has been confirmed yet; manual calculator values will still be included.