South Africa’s ‘silent revolution’ as those with cash go solar

As power crisis worsens, solar panels are seen next to housing units at the Palm Springs residential estate in Cosmo City, in Johannesbrug, South Africa, on Aug 6, 2022. — Reuters

JOHANNESBURG: Thanks to his rooftop solar panels, Pierre Moureau only notices the blackouts that regularly plunge South Africans into darkness when complaints pop up on his Johannesburg neighbourhood’s WhatsApp group.

“I have a certain standard of living,” said the 68-year-old financial planner, who likes to unwind in his home sauna. “I want to be able to live according to the way I am.”