Why Every Solar User in South Africa Must Register Their System in 2025
Understanding Eskom’s Solar Registration Drive
Eskom has launched a nationwide solar registration campaign aimed at households and businesses that use solar energy systems, particularly grid-tied and hybrid setups. The move is not just administrative but rooted in ensuring the safety of utility staff, the reliability of infrastructure, and effective planning of South Africa’s energy future.
While some may see it as red tape, Eskom and City Power insist the process is crucial for infrastructure protection and regulatory compliance. Any system that feeds power into the grid, even unintentionally, can pose risks. According to Eskom, “unauthorised grid-tied generators can endanger the lives of operating staff, the environment, equipment and the quality of electricity supply.”
Why Registration Matters for Grid Safety
The Association for Renewable Energy Practitioners (AREP), through its president Carel Ballack, explains the practical danger: if power is shut down in an area for maintenance, and a solar system with an automatic switch feeds energy back into the grid, it can seriously endanger maintenance workers.
Learn more about how solar power works with the grid
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena echoed these concerns, noting that even small unregistered systems can cause “back feeding, phase imbalances, or grid disturbances.”
Nersa’s Role in Energy Mix Planning
Beyond safety, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) uses data from registered solar systems to determine the national energy mix. This planning tool helps predict how much electricity is being generated outside of Eskom’s network, allowing for better resource allocation and future-proofing the energy sector.
Nersa does not currently tax solar users, but Ballack hinted that registration data could theoretically support future taxation frameworks. That said, any such measures would depend on local municipalities and would require separate approvals.
Human Rights vs. Financial Sustainability
Electricity in South Africa is now widely recognised as a human right, yet Eskom still bears the burden of maintaining and upgrading infrastructure. Ballack noted a difficult balance: those at the bottom of the income ladder often receive electricity for free, while middle- and upper-income households are expected to subsidise those costs. This makes it even more important for paying customers to comply with safety regulations.
Who Must Register Their Solar System?
According to City Power, everyone with a solar system connected to its network must register, regardless of the size, design, or whether it feeds energy back into the grid. This includes both grid-tied and hybrid systems. The reasoning? Even systems that don’t export electricity still impact the network and need to be visible in City Power’s system for safety checks and load balancing.
City Power Solar Registration Info
No Free Bi-Directional Meters
If you’re hoping for a free bi-directional meter (which allows feeding energy back into the grid), don’t. Mangena confirmed that City Power will not provide these meters for free. Customers must purchase and install them at their own cost. Only systems with such meters can participate in the feed-in incentive.
For now, the procurement process for a third-party service provider to oversee the feed-in tariff programme is still ongoing and will take an estimated 4 to 6 months.
Feed-In Incentive Still Under Development
Though City Power encourages customers to feed excess energy back into the grid, this can only happen once bi-directional meters are installed and the necessary incentive framework is finalised. According to Mangena, after appointing the service provider, further implementation timelines will be released.
Until then, solar users should focus on completing the registration process and ensuring technical compliance with existing City Power and municipal standards.
City of Tshwane: Same Rules Apply
The City of Tshwane has aligned with Eskom and City Power’s approach. Spokesperson Selby Bokaba confirmed that all customers, even those not interested in feeding electricity back into the grid, must register. Application forms must be submitted through the local municipality.
Only customers with bi-directional meters will be allowed to export energy into Tshwane’s grid. But as with City Power, participation in a feed-in programme will require further regulatory clarity.
Compliance Is a Win-Win
Registering your solar system ensures your home or business is technically compliant, which not only protects Eskom’s infrastructure but also your own property. It shields users from the risks of fire, electrical damage, and liability in case of grid faults linked to unregistered equipment.
Beyond that, it supports broader national objectives, like reducing load-shedding and promoting investment in renewables.
This Is About South Africa’s Energy Future
Eskom and City Power are laying the groundwork for a safer, more efficient energy network in South Africa. While the costs and technical requirements may feel burdensome in the short term, the long-term gains include energy security, fewer outages, and potentially earning income from excess energy.
All solar PV users in Gauteng, and across the country, should treat registration not as an inconvenience, but as a necessary step toward sustainable living.
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