Eskom has given residential customers with grid-tied solar power systems until March 2026 to register their installations or face higher fees. The power utility launched the registration drive due to safety concerns related to an increasing number of systems feeding electricity back into the grid.
Eskom has issued a warning to its direct residential customers with grid-tied solar power systems, giving them approximately a year to register their installations or face increased registration fees in the future. The power utility clarified in a statement last week that residential customers with small-scale embedded generation ( SSEG ) installations producing up to 50kWp could be exempt from registration-related fees until March 2026.
This initiative, launched during periods of severe load-shedding, aimed to waive connection charges for residential rooftop solar installations as part of the Energy Action Plan and to support incentives such as the tax rebate for solar installations. The announcement follows multiple media reports about Eskom's recent public drive to register SSEG systems, which caught many customers off guard. Eskom emphasized that grid safety has become a crucial concern for both network performance and the safety of personnel working on it, as an increasing number of systems feed electricity back into the grid. Eskom stated that all SSEG installations operating alongside Eskom's supply, even those not exporting power back into the grid, must be registered with either Eskom or the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa). As a licensed electricity distributor, Eskom ensures that all connections, both load and generation, comply with the required codes, standards, and guidelines set by Nersa. Adhering to these technical standards is crucial for maintaining network security, ensuring the safety of field personnel, and protecting the public.Eskom maintains that it has been actively engaging with customers and stakeholders to raise awareness about the importance of registering SSEGs since 2020. Information sessions and media campaigns were launched, including provincial customer engagements with various associations such as the South African Photovoltaïc Industry Association, SAPOA, and AgriSA. To further encourage registration and compliance, Eskom intensified its campaign starting in 2023. By registering their SSEGs with Eskom, customers can meet regulatory requirements, earn by selling surplus energy to Eskom via net billing, store excess power within the utility framework, and reduce their electricity costs through self-generated power. However, Eskom's assertion that it has publicly promoted registration contradicts the experience of at least one reputable solar power installer and many of Eskom's own direct customers. The utility's SSEG application form was reportedly unchanged between April 2021 and 2023, lacking a provision for registering these smaller systems. Additionally, the Homeflex tariff, now mandatory for all residential SSEG systems, was only implemented in April 2023. Many customers who have applied to register their systems have also reported that Eskom has failed to respond to their emails with all the required documentation and professional sign-offs for months. Although Eskom is waiving some registration fees, other charges may apply for customers to make their systems compliant with Eskom's rules. These include fees related to providing a connection isolation point, dead grid safety lock, or electromechanical switch with a coil energized from the utility's side on the street, accessible to Eskom staff; obtaining an embedded generation installation compliance test report from an electrician registered with the Electrical Contractors Association of South Africa. Eskom customers who have gone completely off-grid and are not connected to Eskom's electricity network are not required to register, but they must provide proof that their systems function independently of Eskom's supply
Eskom Solar Power Registration SSEG Load-Shedding Grid Safety Net Billing
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