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24/09/2025

Who is authorised to issue a CoC for solar PV system?

In South Africa, only a registered Installation Electrician (IE) or Master Installation Electrician (MIE) is authorised to issue a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for a solar PV system. This applies whether the installation is single-phase or three-phase, and whether it is part of a new build or an addition to an existing electrical installation. Both IEs and MIEs have the legal standing, qualifications, and registration with the Department of Employment and Labour to certify that the system meets the requirements of the Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009.

An Electrical Tester for Single Phase (ETSP) can play a role in the installation process, but their authority is more limited. They may install solar systems under the general control of an IE or MIE. They can only issue a CoC if:

They have passed the prescribed trade test for single-phase work, and
They have completed the relevant unit standard training recognised by the Department of Employment and Labour.
Even then, an ETSP may issue a CoC only for single-phase AC systems. They cannot certify three-phase installations, DC work in PV systems, or any electrical work outside their registered scope.

This distinction matters because issuing a CoC without the correct registration and scope is not just a regulatory breach—it can invalidate insurance claims, create liability for the installer, and leave the property owner with an unsafe or non-compliant system.