AdrianZ

This is the latest update from the municipality, it sounds like they're still busy finalising the tariffs and how this whole process is going to work. I guess we'll have to wait and see, but it sounds to me like just another way to screw us in the end again EXTENSION OF AMNESTY PERIOD FOR REGISTRATION OF EXISTING SMALL-SCALE EMBEDDED GENERATION (SSEG) PV SYSTEM Knysna Municipality is supporting green energy through allowing solar PV to be connected to the distribution grid. If you have an existing PV system, register it now for a safe electricity grid and if you are considering installing a PV system, apply now for the reasons below: Protect your household from electrical fires and electrical shock, minimize risk to electricity staff working on the network. Severe shocks from illegally connected PV systems, and maintain power quality and load management. The deadline to register the existing PV Systems has been extended The amnesty period has been extended to those customers with existing PV systems to register their SSEG before 31 September 2024. Customer who wish to install their PV systems do not have to comply with the amnesty period, they can register their SSEG any time. The implication for non-registered SSEG Customers The Municipality’s Electricity Supply By-Law and National Regulations state that, “No electrical generation equipment may be connected to the municipal electrical distribution network without the express consent of the Municipality”. Failure to obtain this consent after 31 September 2024 constitutes an offence , which could lead to a fine of R10 300.00. Furthermore, the installation may also be in contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (1993), for which punitive sanctions also apply. Customers found to have illegally connected an SSEG installation to the municipal electrical network (either before or after their electricity meters) shall be instructed to have the installation disconnected from the municipal electrical network. Should the customer fail to have the SSEG disconnected from the municipal electrical network, the municipality shall disconnect the electricity supply to the property. Systems need to comply with a range of technical criteria to be approved by the municipality. This ensures that safety and power quality problems on the grid are avoided (for example inverters must be certified according to the NRS097-2-1 standard and systems need to comply with NRS097-2-3 criteria). Systems over 350kVA generation capacity may be asked to undertake detailed studies before being further considered by the municipality. What is the Solar PV application process and who is eligible to apply? SSEG application process involves the customer filling out standard application forms which provide the municipality with necessary system information to access the proposal and either grant approval or not. The municipality assesses the proposed system for safety, power quality, general grid impact and other issues before giving the customer the go-ahead or not. Any customer intending to install a solar PV system which will be connected to the municipal distribution grid (Including via own house/building wiring) is required to go through the application process. The following documents are required in order to obtain the approval to install and connect the PV system into the municipal grid: 1. Basic system design (Single line Diagram) shall comply with IEC 60617 2. Inverter certificate as per NRS097-2-1 3. Supplemental contract 4. Certificate of Compliance (CoC) as per SANS 10142-1 ( Only applicable after the installation) 5. Commissioning report signed by ECSA registered person (Only applicable after the installation). How to obtain the application form and communications The Small Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG), please direct your communications to Mr L Williams at [email protected]. This email is intended for matters related to SSEG and will be monitored by the Electrical manager, SSEG Project Leader, and Administrative teams to ensure prompt and effective responses. Alternatively, SSEG application forms can be obtained from the municipal website: https://www.knysna.gov.za/live-here/electricity/renewable-energy-sseg/ or email to Mr L Williams requesting the application form. The electrical department also offers the chance for individualized interaction with interested customers or service providers every Friday from 12:30 to 13:30. It is advised that interested stakeholders schedule an appointment at least two days in advance by contacting [email protected] and providing all necessary agenda items to ensure thorough preparation. How much does it cost to register the PV System The submission of the SSEG application to the municipality is free of charge What are the application requirements for closed estate with Medium Voltage (11kV) bulk electricity supply from the municipality? It is imperative that all the customers who wish to install or have installed the PV system to obtain the consent of the installation from the municipality. This can be done through the following application processes. The SSEG application processes are different for the closed estates, the residents who do not have the municipal electricity pre-paid or post-payment meters can apply to their respective body corporates or homeowner associations. The body corporates will then provide the following information to the municipality: 1. Total number of existing PV systems 2. Total installed Capacity in kVA. What tariff can a SSEG customer expect and why is it designed in this way? All SSEG tariffs should have a fixed (R/month) and energy (c/kWh) component, as well as a reverse feed-in tariff (in c/kWh) for power exported back to the municipal grid. This is called a “three part tariff” Existing non-SSEG residential tariffs which only have an energy component are not suitable for SSEG customers as they are likely to result in revenue loss for the municipality and therefore should be changed to include both a fixed and energy component. The Electrical department is in the process of finalizing the SSEG tariff and will be fully - implemented from 1 July 2024. SSEG sign-off requirements In terms of specifics, the following will apply with respect to the professional sign-off: 1. Design/test/commissioning/professional sign-off of SSEG installations up to and including 30kW – ECSA registered, Pr Techni Eng, Pr Cert Eng, Pr Tech Eng, Pr Eng Eng (or ECSA recognised equivalent). 2. Design/test/commissioning/professional sign-off of SSEG installations greater than 30kW up to 200kW- ECSA registered, Pr Cert Eng, Pr Tech Eng, Pr Eng, (or ECSA recognised equivalent). 3. Design/test/commissioning/professional sign-off of SSEG installations greater than 200kW ECSA registered Pr Tech Eng, Pr Eng, (or ECSA recognised equivalent). #inclusive #innovative #inspired