The Solar Tax Rebate: How to Claim Your R15,000 from SARS

The solar rebate is over, but you can still claim it! Learn who qualifies, what documents you need (VAT invoice, CoC), and how to claim the R15,000 on your return.

Woman inside the house, solar panels in the house outside

To encourage households to invest in clean energy, the South African government introduced a special tax incentive for the 2024 tax season.

While this incentive was only available for one year (and is now over), you can still claim it when you file your 2024 tax return (which you do during 2025).

If you installed solar panels between 1 March 2023 and 29 February 2024, you may be eligible for a tax rebate of up to R15,000.

What is the Solar Rebate?

It is a tax rebate (a direct, rand-for-rand reduction of your tax bill) for individuals who invested in solar PV panels.

The Amount: 25% of the cost of the solar panels, capped at a maximum rebate of R15,000.
Example 1: You spent R40,000 on panels. Your rebate is 25% of R40,000 = R10,000.
Example 2: You spent R80,000 on panels. 25% is R20,000, but the rebate is capped, so you can only claim R15,000.

What Qualifies (and What Doesn't)

This is the most important part. The rebate was ONLY for the panels themselves.

QUALIFIES:
- New and unused solar PV panels
- Minimum capacity of 275W per panel
DOES NOT QUALIFY:
- Inverters
- Batteries
- Installation costs
- Generators
- Portable solar panels

The 3 Documents You MUST Have to Claim

If SARS selects you for verification, you will need to provide three essential documents:

A Valid VAT Invoice: This invoice must separately list the cost of the qualifying solar PV panels from the cost of the inverter, batteries, and installation. If it's one "lump sum" amount, SARS may disallow the claim.
Proof of Payment: You must show that you paid this invoice within the 2024 tax year.
A Certificate of Compliance (CoC): A valid CoC from a qualified electrician is non-negotiable. This proves the system was installed safely and is connected to your residence.

How to Claim the Rebate on Your Return

Log in to SARS eFiling to complete your 2024 ITR12 (Income Tax Return).
In the "Form Wizard" (the questionnaire at the start), you must tick "Yes" to the section for "Home Office, Rental and Solar Energy Credit."
This will open the "Solar Energy Credit" container in your tax return.
You will need to fill in:
- The total cost of the qualifying panels (from your invoice).
- The number of panels installed.
- The Certificate of Compliance number.
When you click "Calculate," eFiling will automatically determine your 25% rebate (up to R15,000) and subtract it from the tax you owe.

If you are due a tax refund, this R15,000 will be added to it. If you owe tax, this R15,000 will be used to reduce your bill. Don't miss out on this valuable (and rare) government rebate.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or tax advice. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. We strongly recommend consulting with a registered tax practitioner to address your specific circumstances. TaxClaw.ai is a tool to assist you in managing your tax obligations and is not a substitute for professional advice.

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TaxClaw's AI model is reviewed by SARS Registered Tax Practitioner PR-0106041.
Tax filings are submitted by SARS Registered Tax Practitioner PR-0092910