Tesla Solar
Tesla Solar SA is a Cape Town-based B2B wholesale distributor of Tier 1 solar panels, batteries, and inverters serving installers, resellers, and SMBs across South Africa through a gated online portal and approved installer network.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersCape Town, South Africa
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Tesla Solar does
Tesla Solar SA is a privately held, B2B wholesale distributor of solar energy equipment headquartered in Kraaifontein, Cape Town, South Africa. The company was founded by Francois Matthee from his garage and scaled to a reported turnover of more than R500 million within roughly two years, currently operating with 11–50 employees. It serves an exclusively business customer base — including solar installers, resellers, and small-to-medium enterprises — and does not sell directly to the public; end-customer installation is handled by a network of approved installer partners such as Barbossa Solar.
The company's product portfolio is built around three core equipment categories: Tier 1 certified solar panels (Longi, Jinko, JA Solar, Photon, Sunwoda), lithium-ion batteries (Solar MD, Victron, Dyness, Shoto, Sunwoda), and inverters (Deye, GoodWe, Luxpower, Victron), supplemented by mounting structures, PV cables, and switchgear. Tesla Solar SA is positioned as a primary South African distributor of locally built Solar MD batteries and Deye inverters, which is a stated point of differentiation. Products are sold exclusively through a gated online portal requiring account registration and admin approval, with full upfront payment required before customers collect from the company's warehouse in Cape Town. The company advertises a price-beat guarantee and provides warranty support, technical troubleshooting, training, and co-branded marketing materials to its installer and reseller partners.
Named enterprise and institutional customers include Virgin Active (gyms nationwide), the University of the Western Cape, Stellenbosch High School, Saldanha/Shelley Point Hotel, and Roche pharmaceutical. The company is founder-owned, with no disclosed external institutional investment, no subsidiaries, and no reported M&A activity. Geographic operations are concentrated in South Africa (anchored in Western Cape), and the firm is an active content publisher through its "Beyond the Grid" blog and broad social media presence.
Tesla Solar firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tesla Solar
- Legal name
- Tesla Solar SA
- Website
- https://teslasolarsa.co.za
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Tesla Solar SA is a Cape Town-based B2B wholesale distributor of Tier 1 solar panels, batteries, and inverters serving installers, resellers, and SMBs across South Africa through a gated online portal and approved installer network.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tesla Solar industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Solar Equipment Wholesale Distribution
- SIC
- Wholesale-Electronic Parts & Equipment, Nec (5065)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Solar Distribution & Wholesale Supply (Channel, Procurement, Logistics) (EUAMABAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Solar Balance-of-System Components (Cables, Combiner Boxes, Switchgear, Transformers) (EUAMABAG), Solar Mounting, Racking & Trackers (Fixed-Tilt, Single/Dual-Axis, Rooftop Mounts) (EUAMABAF)
Keywords
Where Tesla Solar is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cape Town
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices1 record
Markets served
Tesla Solar business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Wholesale Solar Equipment Distribution: Tesla Solar SA operates as a wholesale distributor of solar equipment to businesses (installers, resellers, and SMBs). Revenue is generated through one-time product sales at wholesale prices. Customers select products on the website, request a quote, pay in full upfront, and collect items from the warehouse. The company also distributes locally built brands such as Solar MD batteries and Deye inverters.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Wholesale B2B pricing for registered businesses |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Tesla Solar product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tesla Solar SA is a B2B wholesale distributor of premium solar energy equipment supplying Tier 1 certified solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, inverters, mounting structures, PV cables, and switchgear to installers, resellers, and SMBs across South Africa. Products are sold exclusively to businesses through a gated website portal requiring account approval, with full payment collected before warehouse collection.
Product overview
Tesla Solar SA is a wholesale distribution business offering a curated portfolio of premium solar products to businesses across South Africa. The product range centers on three core components—Tier 1 certified solar panels (from brands like Longi, Jinko, JA Solar), lithium-ion battery storage systems (from Solar MD, Victron, Dyness), and inverters (from Deye, GoodWe, Luxpower)—alongside essential accessories including mounting structures, PV cables, and switchgear. The company supplies exclusively to businesses (installers, resellers, and commercial enterprises) through a membership-based online ordering platform. Tesla Solar SA operates as a distributor rather than an installer, providing products that support grid-tied, off-grid, and hybrid solar system configurations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Solar Panels
- Batteries High-quality lithium-ion batteries for energy storage suitable for residential, commercial, and industrial solar installations, sourced from brands including Solar MD, Victron, Dyness, Shoto, and Sunwoda and supplied wholesale to installers, resellers, and SMBs.
- Inverters Solar inverters that convert DC electricity from solar panels into AC electricity for homes and businesses, sourced from brands including Deye, GoodWe, Luxpower, and Victron and supplied wholesale to installers, resellers, and SMBs for grid-tied, off-grid, and hybrid solar systems.
- Mounting Structures Mounting structures for secure installation of solar panel systems, including Solar Grip brand products, supplied wholesale to installers and resellers across South Africa.
- PV Cables PV cables for solar panel wiring and electrical connections in solar energy installations, supplied wholesale to installers, resellers, and SMBs.
- Switchgear Switchgear products designed for optimal protection in solar energy systems, supplied wholesale to installers, resellers, and SMBs.
Companies that use Tesla Solar
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Tesla Solar technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Tesla Solar partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- DeyecoreDeye is a trusted solar brand whose inverters and batteries are distributed by Tesla Solar SA across South Africa. Deye products are part of the core product range offered to installers and resellers.
- Solar MDcoreSolar MD is a locally built South African battery brand distributed exclusively by Tesla Solar SA. This is a key differentiator as it is a domestically manufactured product in the portfolio.
- VictroncoreVictron is a trusted solar brand whose inverters and batteries are distributed by Tesla Solar SA as part of the curated product portfolio.
- DynesscoreDyness batteries are distributed by Tesla Solar SA as part of the product range.
- GoodWecoreGoodWe inverters are distributed by Tesla Solar SA as part of the curated brand portfolio.
- LuxpowercoreLuxPower inverters are distributed by Tesla Solar SA as part of the product range.
- Solar GripminorSolar Grip mounting structures are distributed by Tesla Solar SA.
- ShotominorShoto batteries are distributed by Tesla Solar SA as part of the product range.
- LongicoreLongi solar panels are distributed by Tesla Solar SA. Longi is a globally recognized solar panel manufacturer.
- JinkocoreJinko solar panels are distributed by Tesla Solar SA. Jinko is a globally recognized tier 1 solar panel manufacturer.
- JA SolarcoreJA Solar panels are distributed by Tesla Solar SA as part of the Tier 1 certified solar panel portfolio.
- PhotonminorPhoton solar products are distributed by Tesla Solar SA.
- SunwodaminorSunwoda batteries are distributed by Tesla Solar SA.
- Barbossa SolarcoreBarbossa Solar is an approved installation partner of Tesla Solar SA, using products supplied by Tesla Solar SA to complete solar installations for end customers. The partnership is featured on Tesla Solar SA's Supplied Installations page.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Tesla Solar competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- GoSolr: South African solar installer and equipment supplier focused on residential and commercial PV and battery systems. Comparable as a competitor operating in the South African solar supply channel with overlapping product categories and installer/reseller customer base.
- Sustainable.co.za: South African online retailer and wholesaler of solar panels, inverters, batteries, and related renewable energy products. Comparable because it operates in the same South African market with a similar product mix (Tier 1 panels, lithium batteries, hybrid inverters) targeted at installers and end customers.
- ARTsolar: South African solar panel manufacturer and distributor supplying PV modules to the local market. Comparable as a domestic supplier of Tier 1 solar products into the South African installer channel, overlapping with Tesla Solar SA on panel distribution and South African solar market reach.
- Krannich Solar: One of the world's largest wholesale distributors of solar PV components, with a presence in South Africa. Directly comparable as a B2B-only solar equipment wholesaler offering panels, inverters, batteries, mounting, and BOS to installer and reseller customers.
- SolarAfrica: South African solar PV supplier and installer offering panels, inverters, and batteries to commercial and residential customers. Comparable because it distributes the same core solar product categories to installer and SMB customers in South Africa.
- Segen Solar: UK-headquartered wholesale distributor of solar PV components serving installers across multiple geographies including Africa. Comparable because it operates the same B2B-only, installer-focused, multi-brand distribution model for panels, inverters, batteries, and mounting hardware.
- The Solar Company: South African solar PV distributor offering panels, inverters, and mounting hardware to installers and end customers. Comparable because it operates in the same domestic market with a similar product range targeting installer and SMB buyers.
- Rubicon Solar: South African solar energy equipment distributor and solutions provider offering panels, inverters, and batteries. Comparable as a domestic competitor distributing the same core solar product categories to installers and commercial customers in South Africa.
Emerging players
- d.light: Solar home system manufacturer and distributor serving emerging markets across Africa and Asia. Comparable only partially as both distribute solar energy products through partner channels in Africa; d.light focuses on lower-tier residential solar whereas Tesla Solar SA targets SMBs and commercial grid-tied.
Broad incumbents
- Sun King: Large-scale distributed solar energy company serving off-grid households across Africa and Asia. Comparable in distribution model (multi-brand product supply through partner channels) but operates in a different customer segment (off-grid residential PAYG) versus Tesla Solar SA's B2B grid-tied/commercial focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Tesla Solar social profiles
Digital presenceTesla Solar compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Tesla Solar financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tesla Solar leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Tesla Solar funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tesla Solar M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tesla Solar
What does Tesla Solar do?
Tesla Solar SA is a B2B wholesale distributor of premium solar energy equipment supplying Tier 1 certified solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, inverters, mounting structures, PV cables, and switchgear to installers, resellers, and SMBs across South Africa. Products are sold exclusively to businesses through a gated website portal requiring account approval, with full payment collected before warehouse collection.
Is Tesla Solar a public or private company?
Tesla Solar is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Tesla Solar founded?
Tesla Solar was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Tesla Solar based?
Tesla Solar is headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does Tesla Solar make money?
One revenue line is on record: wholesale Solar Equipment Distribution.
Who are Tesla Solar's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are GoSolr, Sustainable.co.za, ARTsolar, Krannich Solar, SolarAfrica, Segen Solar, The Solar Company and Rubicon Solar. d.light is listed as an emerging player. Sun King is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Tesla Solar have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tesla Solar.
What industry is Tesla Solar in?
Tesla Solar's product category is Solar Equipment Wholesale Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMABAK, Solar Distribution & Wholesale Supply (Channel, Procurement, Logistics), with a secondary code of EUAMABAG, Solar Balance-of-System Components (Cables, Combiner Boxes, Switchgear, Transformers). Its SIC code is 5065.