South Africans Must Register Their Solar Rooftops or Face a Fine
Do you have to register your solar system with Eskom?
South African homeowners with solar power systems must register their installations by March 2026—or face a fine of R6,052, warns Nomfundo Mokwena, head of electricity licensing at the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).
With load shedding and rising electricity costs, many homeowners have turned to solar energy as a way to reduce their dependence on Eskom. However, as the government moves to regulate private energy production, all solar PV systems—whether grid-tied or off-grid—must now be officially registered.
But while registration is mandatory, many South Africans are also wondering: Does solar power actually save money on electricity costs?
Why You Must Register Your Solar System
According to BusinessTech (source), NERSA now requires all solar PV systems—whether they are feeding power back into the grid or operating independently—to be registered with local municipalities and Eskom where applicable.
Key Reasons for Registration:
✅ Grid Stability – The government needs to track private energy production to ensure a balanced electricity grid.
✅ Safety Compliance – Properly installed and registered systems reduce risks such as electrical fires or grid instability.
✅ Legal Requirements – Homeowners who fail to register could face fines or disconnection from the grid.
What Is the Difference Between Grid-Tied and Off-Grid Solar?
Many South Africans aren’t sure whether their system needs to be registered. The type of solar system you have affects how it interacts with Eskom, but both grid-tied and off-grid systems require registration.
Grid-Tied Solar (Must Be Registered)
A grid-tied solar system is connected to the grid (Eskom grid), allowing you to:
- Use solar power during the day.
- Automatically switch to Eskom electricity when solar energy is insufficient.
- Potentially sell excess electricity back to the grid (if your municipality allows feed-in tariffs).
Even though it reduces your dependence on Eskom, a grid-tied system must be registered because it directly impacts the national electricity supply.
Off-Grid Solar (Still Needs to Be Registered)
An off-grid system is completely independent of the Eskom national grid. It relies on:
- Solar panels to generate power.
- Battery storage to store excess energy for nighttime or cloudy days.
- Backup generators in case of prolonged bad weather.
Even though an off-grid system does not interact with Eskom, NERSA still requires registration for safety and monitoring purposes. This helps the government track private energy generation and ensure all installations meet legal and technical standards.
💡 Bottom line: No matter what type of solar system you have, you must register it before March 2026 to avoid a R6,052 fine.
How to Register Your Solar Rooftop System
To register your system and meet the regulatory requirements, follow these steps:
- Check Your Municipality’s Requirements: Some cities, like Cape Town and Johannesburg, have specific rules and online portals for registration.
- Gather Required Documents: This includes technical system details, an electrical compliance certificate (CoC), and an installation certificate from a registered installer.
- Submit Your Application: Many municipalities offer online registration portals or require physical submissions at local offices.
- Approval Process: Once submitted, authorities will review your application and grant approval if all compliance requirements are met.
What Happens if You Don’t Register?
Homeowners who fail to register their solar systems by March 2026 will face a fine of R6,052, as confirmed by Mokwena in BusinessTech. Authorities may also disconnect non-compliant systems from the Eskom grid.
Does Solar Really Save You Money?
The short answer: Yes—but it depends on your setup and usage habits.
How Solar Power Lowers Your Electricity Bills
✅ Reduces Eskom Dependence – By generating your own electricity, you buy less from Eskom, which directly lowers your bill.
✅ Protects Against Tariff Increases – Eskom’s electricity prices have increased significantly in recent years. With solar, you avoid future price hikes (MyBroadband).
✅ Battery Storage Maximizes Savings – A solar battery allows you to store excess energy during the day and use it at night—further reducing reliance on Eskom (Forbes).
✅ Possible Revenue from Feed-In Tariffs – Some municipalities let homeowners sell excess solar power back to the grid, lowering their costs even more.
Should You Get Battery Storage?
While solar panels alone can lower your daytime electricity costs, a battery storage system allows you to use solar power at night, increasing your savings even more.
- Without a battery: You still need Eskom power at night, reducing total savings.
- With a battery: You can rely almost entirely on solar, significantly lowering your electricity bill.
Battery storage is can help you really maximise solar savings.
Register Your Solar System & Start Saving
With over one million South African homes now using solar power, it’s crucial to register your system before March 2026 to avoid fines and ensure compliance.
At the same time, solar energy is one of the best long-term solutions to rising Eskom costs and load shedding. If you install a solar system with battery storage, you can maximize your savings, gain energy independence, and future-proof your electricity costs.