CjF

@CjF, yes, the feed in blocking meter is free in CoCT, soon after I got my approval to commission letter, I got notification that my old prepaid meter was going to be replaced with the Landis Gyr split prepaid meter and it was done two weeks later

This post captures my feelings on this topic.
 
Our journey is very much an ongoing story.
2014 - I installed a 12V light system, charged from a 100W solar panel.  The only "room" still using eskom lights is the garage.  I later added a car radio for sound during load shedding.  This was not an expensive exercise, with huge benefits in terms of being able to carry on "as normal" during load shedding, at least in terms on lights and sound.
 
2014 - Geyserwise PV solar system
 
2015 - Grundfos pv poolpump ... stunning electronic equipment .... busted shaft and no spares off set any and all savings, and cant get spares.  This system have been removed over the last few weeks.
 
2016 - gas stove
 
Over the following years I tried different approaches to keep the computer and tv on during loadshedding ....  Eventually ended with a 100A.h gel battery and a Victron Multiplus.  The wife dont even know if we have loadshedding as the unit keeps the electronics going.  (charging the battery from eskom)
 
Finally bit the bullet, and our PV system will be installed in a few days.  Small system, with the primary aim to reduce our day time eskom usage.  Grid tied with reverse blocking.  This is what our budget allows at this stage.  The system is ready to be expanded to add batteries and/or more capacity as the need and budget may lead us.
 
Hindsight ..... 
- happy with our lighting system.  low maintenance
- for the rest a central system would have been a better approach.  Though the DB in the kitchen is a real bummer for these systems. This is still our big stumbling block for taking our system to the next level.
 
 
Being "okay" at home is one thing ... the impact of loadshedding in the office and for our industry is a different topic.

Maybe this topic can also include those people at the other end of the spectrum who maybe can not afford a complex and expensive solar install, but who have managed to start small by going solar on their geyser, replacing bulbs with LED’s, educating the family on how to use electricity wisely etc etc etc …
Each one of these interventions can be seen as a win-win and validation as well to improving their lot on their dependency on Eksdom?, so share them here too.
 

Yes they do. They check the meter before removing. Then when adding the new meter they need to make a call to manually generate a token to match the units that were present on the unit. Thats on top of the free 8 units each new meter come with.

If you want to feed back into the system (which is not financially worth it as yo have to be a net user) the city will install a prepaid two way meter for R8500. no feed in then will install a blocker prepaid meter for free. Check the COCT website for all the procedures and forms that have to be submitted - it is not too onerous.

To add to Tinuva’s post, if NOT feeding into the grid there is no additional charge, also, approved installer is NOT a requirement 

You still pay an electricity connection fee on your CoCT bill wether you are on prepaid or postpaid.
The other important thing is, to get your SSEG application accepted before installing the panels on the roof. People get fined or just outright disconnected if they find panels on your roof and there is no approved application for your address. 
Generally they will come replace your prepaid meter before they allow you to install the panels. This meter will block the feedback without disconnecting you (not sure how this work, their words) if your inverter fail to block feedback.