27/05/2026
Customer Advisory Notice
Solar System Registration, Compliance, and Disconnection Requirements – South Africa
1. Purpose of This Advisory
This notice provides clear, factual guidance to customers regarding:
Solar system (SSEG) registration requirements
The risk of fines or disconnection
Insurance implications
Legal requirements for off-grid systems
The aim is to ensure customers remain fully informed, compliant, and protected.
2. Legal Requirement for Solar System Registration
In South Africa, all solar systems that are connected to the electricity network fall under the Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) regulatory framework.
Key Requirement
All grid-connected systems must be registered with:
Eskom (if you are a direct Eskom customer), or
Your local municipality
This applies:
Regardless of whether your system exports electricity or not
This requirement forms part of national regulatory obligations under NERSA and the Electricity Regulation Act
3. Compliance Requirements
A compliant solar installation must include:
A valid Certificate of Compliance (CoC)
A NRS 097 compliant inverter (approved for grid connection)
A completed commissioning or SSEG test report
Installation in accordance with SANS 10142 standards
These documents form the minimum compliance pack required for safe and legal operation.
4. Fines and Disconnection – Clarification of Risk
4.1 When Enforcement Applies
Fines or disconnection may occur where:
A system is connected to the grid and not registered
The installation is non-compliant or unsafe
The customer fails to respond to requests from the utility
Authorities have increased enforcement and may disconnect systems that do not meet regulatory requirements
4.2 Important Clarification
Disconnections are generally not immediate or arbitrary
Customers are typically not penalised without engagement or warning.
The focus is on bringing systems into compliance, not punishment
5. Insurance Considerations
Insurance cover is primarily determined by installation quality and safety compliance, not registration alone.
Insurance Risks May Arise If:
There is no valid CoC
Equipment used is not approved or compliant
The installation does not meet required safety standards.
In such cases, insurance claims—particularly following fire or damage—may be rejected
Important Note
A properly installed and certified system significantly reduces insurance risk, even if registration is still in progress.
6. Off-Grid Systems and Registration
6.1 When Registration Is Not Required
Registration is not required if the property is genuinely off-grid, meaning:
The Eskom or municipal supply has been formally terminated
There is no physical connection to the electricity network
Under these conditions, the system is not classified as SSEG
6.2 Common Misunderstanding
The following do not qualify as off-grid:
Switching off the main supply
Using a changeover or isolator switch
Having a meter installed but not actively using electricity
In all these cases, the system remains legally grid-connected, and registration is still required.
7. Legal Proof of Disconnection
Customers wishing to operate off-grid must be able to provide:
Written confirmation from Eskom or the municipality that:
The supply contract is terminated
The property is disconnected
Supporting Evidence
Meter removal or permanent disconnection
Final electricity account closure
Electrical Compliance:
An updated CoC reflecting off-grid configuration
Without this documentation, the system may still be treated as grid-connected.
8. Existing Installations
Many systems installed during periods of load shedding may:
Lack complete documentation
Use non-compliant equipment
Not be registered
These systems are at higher risk of enforcement or insurance complications and should be reviewed and updated.
9. The Importance of choosing a reputable Installer
To ensure full compliance and long-term reliability, it is essential to work with a qualified and reputable provider.
Hager Energy and Automation Commitment
Hager Energy and Automation delivers:
Compliance Assurance
Use of approved, NRS-compliant equipment only
Installations aligned with SANS and SSEG standards
Full documentation provided for every system
Support and Rectification
Auditing and correction of existing installations
Guidance on regulatory requirements
Independent Verification
All installations done by H.E.A are:
Independently verified by external professionals.
Reviewed to ensure:
Full compliance
Accuracy of documentation
Unbiased assessment.
This ensures that each system meets both legal and technical standards.
10. Final Guidance
Customers are advised to ensure that their solar installation is:
Properly installed
Fully documented
Compliant with national standards
Registered where required
Summary:
Requirement:
Registration - Required for all grid-connected systems
CoC - Always required
Compliance (NRS/SANS) - Always required
Off-grid exemption - Only with formal disconnection
Insurance validity - Based on safety and compliance
Closing Statement
Compliance should be approached in a structured and informed manner.
Customers who ensure that their systems are:
Correctly installed
Properly certified
Appropriately registered or formally disconnected
will remain protected from regulatory risk and insurance exposure.
For assistance with compliance, audits, or system upgrades, customers are encouraged to contact Hager Energy and Automation for professional support.
https://www.hagerenergyandautomation.co.za
