Eskom has recently intensified its call for South Africans with solar power systems to register their installations, particularly those that are connected to the national grid. This move is not new, but it has gained urgency due to the rapid increase in rooftop solar installations across the country.
According to recent estimates, around 6 100 megawatts of rooftop solar capacity have been installed in South Africa, nearly double the capacity from two years ago. As more households and businesses turn to solar as a response to Eskom’s load-shedding and energy insecurity, the power utility is emphasizing the need to regulate and monitor these systems for safety and grid stability.
The requirement to register grid-tied solar systems stems from rules set out by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), which mandates that any embedded generation system below 100 kVA must be registered with Eskom or the relevant municipality. The purpose of this registration is not to discourage renewable energy use, but rather to ensure that the growing number of solar systems does not compromise the safety, reliability, and technical balance of the national grid. Unregistered systems could potentially back-feed electricity into the grid during maintenance or outages, posing a danger to technicians and leading to power quality issues.
Importantly, not all solar systems need to be registered. Systems that are completely off-grid and do not connect in any way to Eskom or municipal networks are generally exempt. However, proof of independence may still be required to avoid being classified incorrectly.
Those whose electricity is supplied by a municipality must register with their local authority rather than Eskom directly. Eskom has stressed that grid-tied solar systems, even if they don’t export electricity, must still go through the registration process to ensure compliance with safety standards and grid planning requirements.
To make compliance easier, Eskom has announced that until March 2026, residential customers with systems under 50 kVA are eligible for free registration. This includes a bidirectional smart meter, which would normally cost over R9 000. These meters are essential for users who want to participate in net billing or the Homeflex tariff, which allows them to export excess electricity back to the grid and earn credits. Larger systems and commercial users, however, may still need to cover engineering sign-offs and other technical requirements as part of their registration.
Failure to register grid-connected systems could result in financial penalties, and Eskom has already started using satellite imagery and aerial surveillance to identify unregistered rooftop solar installations.
Some municipalities have warned that non-compliance may lead to disconnection or fines. Apart from regulatory risks, there are also financial downsides to staying off the books, such as losing out on compensation for exported power and potentially voiding insurance coverage in the event of damage or faults.
The process of registering a solar system includes ensuring it meets technical standards, obtaining a certificate of compliance, submitting an application to Eskom or the local municipality, and undergoing verification by certified professionals.
Eskom has made resources available online and is encouraging residents to act proactively. The utility maintains that this initiative is not meant to penalize but to protect, ensuring the grid functions safely while allowing more citizens to benefit from solar power in a structured and secure way.
In the broader context of South Africa’s energy landscape, this push for solar registration is part of Eskom’s efforts to modernize the grid, adapt to decentralized energy production, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. While public trust in Eskom remains strained, especially due to years of inconsistent supply and tariff hikes, this measure is seen by energy experts as necessary to support the long-term sustainability of both solar energy and the national grid.
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