Going Solar in SA: A Guide to Not Getting Burnt

How delightful that we're currently experiencing uninterrupted power supply. One almost misses planning one's entire life around the loadshedding schedule. Almost. Nevertheless, the solar panel discussion continues to dominate our dinner parties, right between property prices and 2025 budget predictions.

The Great Solar Rush of 2025

Fascinating how we've all become amateur electricians. I particularly enjoy watching the neighborhood WhatsApp group transform into an engineering forum. Every second house in Morningside now sports panels that perfectly complement their Italian imported tiles.

The Legal Lowdown: A Bureaucratic Love Story

Before you join the solar revolution, - because heaven knows we all love a good trend - here's what our bureaucratic overlords require:

Municipal Regulations

• Cape Town requires registration for grid-tied systems. Their efficiency is almost as impressive as their coffee shops' price points.
• Pretoria residents need City Power approval. The process is about as straightforward as explaining to your mother why you're still single.

Body Corporate Blues

For those of us in complexes, you'll need body corporate approval. The requirements include:

• Aesthetic guidelines (mustn't upset the delicate Tuscan harmony, naturally);
• Structural assessments (more thorough than a Woolworths cashier checking a Smart Shopper card); and
• Installation timing restrictions (because power tools during a Zoom call would disturb one's carefully curated professional image).

Eskom's New Solar Tax: A Valentine's Day Gift

On 11 February 2025, Eskom presented us with their latest contribution to national conversation.

What's the Deal?

They've been trying to tell us about registration since 2020. Rather like that persistent ex who keeps viewing your LinkedIn profile, they've been sending bill inserts, hosting provincial customer chats, and publishing newsletters. One assumes someone reads those.

The Good News (Such As It Is)

If your solar setup is 50kW or less - sufficient to power your home office, air conditioning, and that exercise bike you're definitely going to start using - you might avoid registration fees until March 2026.

Who Needs to Register?

• Anyone with a grid-tied system (even if you're not sharing with Eskom);
• Both households and businesses;
• Municipal customers must consult their local authorities; and
• Off-grid installations are exempt (congratulations on your complete independence).

Why All the Fuss?

Eskom has concerns about:

• Network security (understandable);
• Staff safety (reasonable); and
• Public protection (how considerate).

The Silver Lining

Registration does come with benefits:

• Sell excess power to Eskom (finally, a return on investment besides dinner party conversation material);
• Store excess power (for those rainy days); and
• Reduce electricity costs (leaving more budget for therapy).

How to Stay on the Right Side of the Law

1. Register your system: Because appearing on Carte Blanche isn't on this year's vision board.
2. Obtain approvals: Municipal clearance (yes, all of them) Body corporate permission (if applicable) NERSA registration (for larger systems) Insurance updates (because 'acts of Eskom' is not a standard clause).
3. Use accredited installers: This isn't like getting your nails done - recommendations from your hairdresser won't suffice.

The Bottom Line

The solar installation process is remarkably similar to planning a wedding - expensive, involves too many opinions, and someone's mother will probably cry. But unlike marriage, at least this investment comes with a warranty.

Tips for Success

• File your paperwork properly (unlike those online yoga class confirmations).
• Monitor regulatory changes (as one does).
• Join local solar groups (because we all need more WhatsApp notifications).
• Have contingency plans (we're still South African, after all).

In conclusion, while going solar requires the patience of a saint and the paperwork of a small country's government, it's presumably worth it. At the very least, it's something to discuss at the next book club that definitely won't be discussing books.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some uninterrupted electricity to enjoy. Perhaps I'll even turn on two appliances simultaneously. Living dangerously, I know.

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