Solar system registration could cost up to R30k – What to know

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According to the Electrical Contractors Association of South Africa, solar users can expect to fork out up to R30 000 to register their solar system, reported MyBroadband on 18 March 2025.

Previous reports have revealed that the requirements that need to be met during the registration and installation of these systems have made it difficult and expensive for users. Here’s all you need to know if you have one installed or considering it.

SOLAR USERS HAVE UNTIL MARCH 2026 TO REGISTER SYSTEMS

A deadline has been set by Eskom for solar system registration. Failure to do so will result in a fine. The power utility issued a statement on 11 February 2025, stating that solar users have until March 2026 to register their systems.

According to Eskom, all grid-tied systems that are unregistered are now deemed illegal. It also said “solar installations up to 50kW may qualify for an exemption from legislated registration-related fees until March 2026.”

The South African previously reported on the steps that solar users need to take to register their systems. Eskom customers can register theirs by following these steps.

However, municipality customers can do this by using the South African Local Government Association (Salga) platform. The platform, which can be accessed here, helps grid-tied solar power users to register their systems across numerous municipalities.

Grid-tied system installers and users can ensure that their systems are compliant and accounted for by submitting the required documents on the website. The platform also has features that help speed up this process.

SOLAR SYSTEM REGISTRATION TARIFF HIKE

Solar system registration fees have seen a huge spike recently. Since late 2024, Eskom has continued to urge customers to register their systems after many had installed them.

One of Eskom’s requirements is that solar users have their systems signed off by a professional engineer. This, however, can cost tens of thousands of rand.

Eskom claims that these small scale embedded generation (SSEG) requirements have long been put in place. However, many solar power installers say this is not true. Installers AWPower in Cape Town, told MyBroadband that Eskom had previously never required that small solar systems for homes be registered.

UP TO R30 000 REGISTRATION FEE

According to the Electrical Contractors Association of South Africa, solar users can expect to pay between R20 000 and R30 000 to ensure they are compliant.

There are various factors that determine the cost, including how far the engineer being used needs to travel to get to the user.

Carte Blanche also provided an example of a quote. It showed how much a solar power owner would need to pay to be compliant. In Tshwane for example, they would have to pay about R23 405.