- Extension follows strong public resistance to residential solar registration requirements.
- OUTA says compliant systems with valid CoC do not require further administrative processes.
- Stakeholders call for policy reform to support private generation and ease grid pressure.
Eskom has extended the deadline for residential solar system registration after widespread public pushback, offering short term relief to households and small businesses. However, industry stakeholders argue that the policy remains fundamentally flawed and continues to impose unnecessary administrative burdens on consumers.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) welcomed the extension but cautioned that it does not address the underlying concerns סביב the requirement. The organisation noted that sustained public resistance has played a key role in slowing the implementation of a policy it believes lacks clear legal and practical justification.
According to OUTA, South Africans investing in rooftop solar are responding to persistent power supply challenges and should be supported rather than subjected to additional regulatory hurdles. The group emphasised that households and businesses are proactively contributing to energy security through private generation.
Wayne Duvenage, Chief Executive Officer of OUTA, said consumers installing solar systems are acting responsibly in the face of unreliable electricity supply. He added that where installations are compliant and supported by a valid Certificate of Compliance, there is no justification for mandatory registration.
While the deadline extension may temporarily ease compliance pressure, OUTA maintains that the registration requirement itself remains unnecessary. The organisation argues that systems installed by qualified electricians and certified through a valid CoC already meet safety and legal standards.
Industry observers warn that additional layers of administration without clear regulatory grounding risk increasing costs, creating confusion, and placing further strain on consumers already managing rising energy expenses. Small businesses in particular face added pressure as they seek to secure reliable power sources.
Stakeholders are calling on Eskom to shift its focus towards enabling distributed generation, improving grid stability, and enhancing transparency across the power sector. There is growing consensus that simplifying compliance frameworks will accelerate private sector participation and strengthen overall energy resilience.
As South Africa continues to grapple with energy supply constraints, market participants stress that policy alignment will be critical to unlocking investment in decentralised energy solutions and supporting long term grid sustainability.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
