Making Solar Possible for Businesses with Asbestos Roofs
South African businesses need reliable, lower-cost power. That’s not a future goal, it's an immediate operational priority.
But for many companies operating from older commercial and industrial buildings, there’s a hidden barrier standing in the way of rooftop solar: Asbestos Roofing.
At Candi Solar, we’ve seen first-hand how asbestos compliance requirements can stall otherwise bankable solar projects.
The good news? There’s now a smarter, integrated way forward.
Why Asbestos Roofs Complicate Solar Projects
South Africa’s asbestos regulations are designed to prevent disturbance of asbestos-containing materials. In practical terms, that means roofs containing asbestos cannot be drilled into, cut, or used to support new equipment, including solar panels.
So what does that mean for your business?
It means a standard roof-mounted solar system simply cannot be installed directly onto an asbestos roof.
Before solar can move forward, the asbestos roofing must either be replaced or an alternative compliant mounting solution must be implemented.
For many property owners, this shifts the conversation from
“Should we install solar?” to “How do we do this safely, legally, and cost-effectively?”
And it’s not just about solar access. Ageing asbestos roofs are:
Increasingly difficult to insure
Costly to maintain
A long-term compliance liability
A barrier to on-site renewable energy
Some businesses attempt to work around the issue by installing raised steel structures above the existing roof. But this doesn’t remove the asbestos.
The regulatory obligations, liability exposure, and insurance challenges remain firmly in place.
The Growing Case for Solar in South Africa
The business case for embedded solar PV has never been stronger.
According to GreenCape’s 2025 Energy Services Market Intelligence Report, embedded solar photovoltaic (PV) systems can deliver electricity at costs significantly below prevailing grid tariffs for commercial and industrial users. In broad terms, the levelised cost of electricity(LCOE) from embedded solar PV is typically 40–60% lower than grid power, depending on tariff structures and usage patterns.
On top of that, qualifying solar installations may be eligible for a 100% write-off of the system cost in the first year under Section 12B of the Income Tax Act, subject to eligibility.
The savings are real. The incentives are compelling.
Yet for buildings with asbestos roofing, these benefits often remain out of reach, not because solar doesn’t make financial sense, but because the cost and complexity of roof replacement feel prohibitive.
A High-Cost Barrier and a Smarter Way to Overcome it
The upfront cost of asbestos roof replacement is often the single biggest obstacle preventing businesses from adopting rooftop solar.
That’s why we’ve introduced a financing model that integrates roof replacement and solar installation within a single, fully financed energy upgrade.
Rather than requiring businesses to fund the roof replacement separately, we finance asbestos roof removal and replacement upfront as part of a coordinated solar project, allowing both elements to be structured within the same capital framework.
Here’s what that means in practice:
Accredited asbestos specialists manage the required surveys, removal, replacement and statutory clearance process.
Compliance is addressed upfront.
The new roof is designed to support a long-term solar asset.
Solar installation proceeds only once the site is fully compliant.
The result? A safer building, improved insurability, and a future-proofed commercial asset, all aligned with a long-term energy strategy.
To ensure safety and regulatory compliance, Candi Solar works with accredited asbestos removal specialists who manage the required surveys, removal, replacement and statutory clearance process before solar installation begins.
Introducing PLIS: Performance-Linked Instalment Sale
Access to upfront capital is often another constraint. Even where solar makes financial sense, large costs can delay decisions.
That’s why we offer our Performance-Linked Instalment Sale (PLIS) model.
PLIS is designed to reduce upfront capital requirements by spreading the cost of the solar PV system over time while still enabling businesses to benefit from applicable solar incentives and allowances.
Here’s how it works:
Immediate Ownership
Customers take ownership of the solar asset from day one.
Performance-Linked Repayments
Repayments are linked to the system’s actual performance. If generation falls below the agreed benchmark, instalments automatically adjust downward. That creates a built-in cash-flow buffer.
Integrated Roof Replacement
Where roof replacement is required to enable a roof-mounted solar installation, the associated asbestos removal and replacement costs can be structured alongside the solar system within the same overall agreement rather than as a once-off capital outlay.
In short: ageing roofing and solar PV can be addressed as a single, coordinated infrastructure upgrade.
As Richard Flamand, Candi Solar’s South Africa Lead, explains:
“By structuring asbestos roof replacement and solar installation together within a single, integrated financing model, companies can modernise essential infrastructure and secure long-term energy cost stability without locking up capital. The delivery and performance risk sits with Candi Solar, reducing complexity for the customer while PLIS provides a clear path to ownership, with predictable repayments.”
A Practical Starting Point for Businesses
If your business operates from an asbestos-roofed building or you’re exploring rooftop solar to reduce costs and improve resilience, the first step is simple:
Confirm whether your facility has a legally compliant Asbestos Inventory.
If one does not exist, or is out of date, a certified asbestos inspection professional must complete the required survey.
From there, we work with accredited asbestos and engineering partners to:
Help businesses understand their compliance obligations
Assess structural suitability for solar
Identify compliant pathways to on-site generation
Where roof replacement is not the preferred route, alternative solutions such as carports or ground-mounted systems may also be viable, depending on site constraints and long-term objectives.
Many businesses feel overwhelmed by the compliance and cost barriers around asbestos and solar. Our role is to remove that friction, making it simple, safe, and financially viable to transition to renewable energy.
Modern Infrastructure. Lower Energy Costs. One Integrated Solution.
Asbestos roofing doesn’t have to be the end of your solar journey.
With the right structure, it can become the starting point for a smarter infrastructure upgrade, one that improves compliance, strengthens insurability, reduces long-term energy costs, and positions your business for a more resilient future.
If you’d like to explore what this could look like for your facility, contact us at info@candi.solar to begin an assessment.
