A private landlord in Cape Town is using Metro Prepay submeters to recover electricity costs fairly from tenants while running a private solar-powered microgrid that is tied into the City of Cape Town’s network. This approach has not only stabilised his cash flow on utilities, but has also turned energy reliability into a key selling point for the building.
Sub-metered PV: the starting point
In early 2023 the landlord, was struggling to recover utility costs reliably from his tenants and wanted a solution that would work long‑term, especially with frequent tariff increases and non‑payment risks.
I explained the benefits of installing prepaid electrical submeters in every unit, together with the potential of adding a rooftop solar system to reduce dependence on the grid during load‑shedding, which was then at stages 3 and 4. Beyond accurate recovery of electricity from tenants, I highlighted how a solar installation could make his units far more attractive, allowing him to command solid rentals and attract better-quality tenants who value reliability and transparency.
The plan was not only to stabilise recovery, but also to recover the capital cost of the solar installation from the energy harvested on site. By selling the solar-generated energy to tenants at a rate slightly below the municipal tariff, they could offer tenants a discount while still achieving a return on the investment over time.
How Metro Prepay fits into the solution
We identified Metro Prepay submeters as a practical way to implement this model at the property. Each apartment received its own prepaid submeter, installed downstream of the main municipal supply. Tenants buy tokens and load them directly into their meters, which means each unit pays only for what it consumes, and the property owner no longer has to do manual readings, apportion bills, or chase arrears.
The solar system was then integrated into the building’s internal electrical network so that both the City supply and the PV system with batteries feed a central distribution point. From there, power flows through Metro Prepay submeters into each unit. To the tenant, it feels seamless: the lights stay on during load‑shedding when the batteries carry the load, and the meter simply deducts prepaid units as they use electricity, regardless of whether the energy originated from the panels or the grid.
Performance and results after two years
At this property the tenants collectively use around 8 500 kWh per month, and when this is combined with all common-area loads such as security systems, borehole pumps and lighting, the solar system covers the bulk of the demand. In practice he uses little to no energy from the grid for most of the year, which significantly improves his net operating position on the building.
This project has now been running smoothly and issue‑free for around two years. Tenants enjoy predictable, prepaid electricity and far better resilience during load‑shedding, while the owner enjoys consistent recovery, lower exposure to non‑payment, and a tangible return on his solar investment. On the back of this success he has indicated his intention to partner with Metro Prepay for all his future developments, using the same model of prepaid submetering plus solar-backed supply.
Why this model works for Cape Town and similar areas
High-end coastal suburbs like those in Cape Town are particularly well suited to this approach. Tenants are willing to pay a premium for reliable power, especially for remote work, security and lifestyle needs, but they still expect fairness and transparency in how utilities are charged.
By combining a private solar microgrid with Metro Prepay submeters, landlords can:
- Recover electricity costs accurately and automatically.
- Differentiate their properties as “load‑shedding ready” and energy‑efficient.
- Offer a tariff slightly below municipal rates while still recovering capital costs on solar.
- Improve tenant quality by aligning with tenants who value reliability and are comfortable with prepaid.
When implemented correctly, this model can run quietly in the background for years, turning a historic pain point—utilities recovery—into a strategic advantage for both landlord and tenants.
