- Registration fee waiver for rooftop solar systems up to 50 kW extended to 30 September 2026 for residential and business sector.
- Prepaid metering option for residential solar users moves closer to national rollout.
- Initiative supports safe grid integration as distributed generation uptake accelerates.
- Uptake has been slow. Read more
South Africa’s state owned energy utility Eskom has extended its rooftop solar registration fee waiver by six months and is advancing a prepaid metering option for residential customers, reinforcing its support for small scale embedded generation as adoption gains momentum across South Africa.
The utility confirmed that the waiver, initially set to expire at the end of March 2026, will now remain in effect until 30 September 2026. The move applies to solar systems of up to 50 kW and is aimed at encouraging compliance while ensuring safe and standardised grid connections.
At the same time, Eskom is piloting a prepaid solution for households installing rooftop solar systems. The option will allow customers to remain on prepaid tariffs while integrating solar generation. Where necessary, customers will receive a smart meter at no cost, while still qualifying for the registration fee waiver. The utility indicated that the solution is currently in testing and will be rolled out more broadly once implementation requirements are finalised.
As distributed generation expands, Eskom is positioning itself to support customers in connecting systems responsibly while maintaining grid stability. National regulations require all small scale embedded generation systems below 100 kW to be registered with the relevant electricity supplier, either Eskom or a local municipality.
National Energy Regulator of South Africa has emphasised that registration is critical to maintaining a safe and reliable electricity system. While a Certificate of Compliance confirms that installations meet electrical safety standards, registration ensures that systems are integrated in a way that protects the national grid. The regulator has also clarified that the process is intended to enable, rather than discourage, the adoption of solar energy.
To streamline compliance, Eskom requires customers to submit a Certificate of Compliance, an inverter test certificate and an installation test report. Systems may also be approved by a professional registered with the Department of Employment and Labour, helping to reduce administrative costs and turnaround times.
According to Eskom, the extended waiver covers all registration and connection fees, including the provision of a free smart meter valued at up to R10k for urban residential customers and up to R36k for rural customers, for systems up to 50 kVA.
The utility has urged customers to take advantage of the waiver period, noting that the safe and compliant integration of customer owned solar systems remains essential to ensuring a stable and resilient electricity network.
More information on SSEGs is available on the Eskom website, via the following link: https://www.eskom.co.za/distribution/small-scale-embedded-generators/ or by calling 0860 037 566.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
