Rapelang Ramatlhodi has built a business that generates revenue while connecting clean energy innovation with social empowerment in South Africa.
Amid South Africa’s ongoing energy crisis, Rapelang Ramatlhodi has positioned herself as one of the emerging entrepreneurs shaping the country’s renewable energy narrative. As the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Solarev Solutions, she leads a company that focuses on solar panel cleaning and maintenance — a crucial but often overlooked aspect of renewable energy operations.
From idea to enterprise
Solarev Solutions was founded in 2021, during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. For many businesses, it was a time of contraction; for Ramatlhodi, it was an opportunity to address a visible problem. South Africa’s reliance on an unstable electricity grid has long prompted interest in solar power. Yet, the maintenance of solar systems, particularly panel cleaning, has remained a persistent challenge affecting performance and lifespan.
Drawing from her background in Events Management and Brand Marketing, Ramatlhodi developed a business model centred on client trust, reliability, and measurable results. Rapelang Ramatlhodi began by providing solar panel cleaning services to households and businesses using photovoltaic panels, later incorporating maintenance and monitoring solutions.
Measuring impact
Solarev Solutions reports notable gains for its clients, with system efficiency improvements of up to 60% following maintenance interventions. The firm also contributes to job creation by recruiting and training technicians, aligning its work with South Africa’s efforts to strengthen the local renewable energy value chain. Workshops and outreach initiatives are part of its broader engagement to raise awareness about clean energy and sustainability in underserved communities.
Solarev Solutions is dedicated to expanding participation in South Africa’s renewable energy sector. The company achieves this by prioritising training and inclusion, particularly through programs that provide women and young people with crucial practical and entrepreneurial skills. These initiatives specifically aim to address the underrepresentation of these groups within the green economy.
Ramatlhodi’s leadership has not gone unnoticed. She was named among the Top 3 finalists for the Veuve Clicquot Bold Future Award 2024, recognising emerging women entrepreneurs making a mark in their industries.
She serves as a founding member of the Global Solar Cleaners Network, a collective focused on promoting best practices in solar maintenance worldwide. Her work is part of a larger movement within South Africa to expand access to renewable energy.
National policies such as the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) have opened opportunities for private participation. At the same time, decentralised solar systems continue to grow in popularity among households and small businesses seeking energy independence.
As South Africa works towards a more stable and sustainable energy future, entrepreneurs like Rapelang Ramatlhodi show how innovation and inclusion can drive change.
