The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) officially welcomes the decision by Eskom to extend the registration fee waiver for Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) systems until 30 September 2026.
This extension, alongside the announcement of a new prepaid metering option for residential solar users, marks a significant step toward making energy independence more accessible for all South Africans.
Sim Khuluse, Technical and Policy Manager at SAPVIA, noted that the association has been in consistent dialogue with Eskom and Municipalities to ensure that the regulatory framework for rooftop solar remains an enabler rather than a barrier.
“We applaud Eskom for listening to industry concerns regarding the 31 March deadline. By extending the waiver and introducing a prepaid-friendly path, they are removing the “compliance tax” that has previously deterred many households from registering their systems,” says Khuluse. “However, this is only half of the puzzle. While Eskom is making strides, the inconsistent, often delayed and cumbersome approval processes at a municipal level continue to act as a drag on our national energy transition.”
The Importance of Registration
SAPVIA reaffirms its long-standing position that registration is not merely a bureaucratic requirement but a critical safety and technical necessity.
- Grid Stability: Accurate data on where solar is installed allows the Eskom Distribution and Municipalities to manage voltage fluctuations and prevent local grid overloads.
- Worker Safety: Registration prevents “islanding,” where a private system feeds power back into a de-energized grid, putting maintenance teams at severe risk.
- Insurance and Compliance: Standardized registration ensures that installations meet SANS 10142-1 standards, protecting homeowners’ investments and insurance validity.
A Call for Municipal Action
While Eskom customers now have a clearer, cost-free path to compliance, many South Africans living in municipal supply areas face registration fees and months of administrative delays.
“We call on all licensed municipal distributors to follow Eskom’s lead by streamlining their own SSEG processes,” Khuluse adds. “We need a unified, digital-first approach across all provinces. Inconsistent municipal by-laws create a cumulative backlog that intensifies pressure on the national grid’s technical interface and frustrates the very citizens who are investing their own capital to ensure energy security.”
SAPVIA remains committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to move away from punitive measures and toward a safe, transparent, and legally compliant energy future.
