Hello everyone, I'm intending to install a solar PV system at my property, I started educating myself reading through the forum and learning about volts and amps. It is really a fantastic way to learn and I have already learnt a lot thanks to all the experts and those that recently went through the whole process. I intend asking a lot of dumb questions as I go along in planning my system. 

My first question is around prepaid seeing as it seems to offer the highest return on investment. 

I currently pay R886.98 per month in fixed service & network charges for single phase with an 80A breaker. My monthly use of electricity is around 1200 kWh per month.

My current use since June op to October when the latest CoJ tarifs kicked in, works out to R2.95 per kWh and I worked out that had I been on prepaid, based on the CoJ published rates, that I would have paid R2.52 per kWh and that I would have saved R2,650 in the last 5 months that could have gone towards paying for equipment.

My questions are:

1. Does CoJ allow you to switch to prepaid when you already have a system with panels on the roof that they will see when they come to do an inspection?
2. I based my calculation on the rates below +15% VAT = R2.10 for the first 350 kWh then R2.41 for the next 150 kWh and then R 2.74 above 500 kWh. My question is, is this what you end up paying when you switch to prepaid or do you have to buy electricity through an intermediary ending up more expensive?

3. Is it possible to top up prepaid electricity remotely when you are not at the property or do you physically need to punch in a code on your prepaid meter?
4. Is it possible to see how much prepaid electricity you have left remotely?
5. Can one kickstart the process to switch by email or do you need to physically apply for the switch at their offices.
6. Is the 80 Amp breaker an issue to switch to prepaid? 

Those who have been through this process with CoJ, please assist me with my questions to understand this process better.      

Edited December 1, 20223 yr by Concrete
omission

Some hopefully useful feedback for you based on my CoJ conversion to prepaid, as well as other's I'm aware of that have done the conversion in my complex:

1) Yes - they didn't have any problem with it.

2) If you have a prepaid meter directly from City Power, then you buy power at those published rates via Internet Banking etc.

3) Not as far as I'm aware - everything has to happen through the customer interface unit (CIU) which has a keypad and talks directly to the meter.

4) Not as far as I'm aware no - also through the customer interface unit.

5) Emails go into a black hole. There are two options - go to your municipal offices yourself, fill out the forms etc., or get a third party to register on your behalf for a fee (I took the latter approach as I didn't have the time or zen-master levels of patience to deal with council - I can provide details via PM).

6) No - I had the same 80A single phase connection.

FYI - the CoJ prepaid meters supplied, at least in Randburg from the Roodepoort CoJ (African Metering Solutions (AMS) CIU-PH04 since about mid 2022) CIU's use power line communication - i.e. the unit has to have a direct connection via your electrical wiring to the meter. Thus, you either need to manually switch the plug circuit you have the CIU connected to (presumably essential load plug) via a changeover switch back to Eskom to be able to load your prepaid vouchers or see you balance, or you need to have a non-essential/grid-connected plug for the meter that is electrically compliantly wired permanently into Eskom. I'm also aware of at least one instance in my complex where the meter was rather picky as to which plug it would reliably work on, so something potentially also to keep in mind.

9 minutes ago, AlexTZA said:

5) Emails go into a black hole. There are two options - go to your municipal offices yourself, fill out the forms etc., or get a third party to register on your behalf for a fee (I took the latter approach as I didn't have the time or zen-master levels of patience to deal with council - I can provide details via PM).

I should think you'd have to show your face. The City does require that you present in person and that you are verified against an ID document and their records because only the property owner may request a change of tariff and sign all the consent forms.

If you paid a 3rd party and they took care of everything then there is probably a ... gratuity... built into their fee.

One thing you have to be careful of is not running out of units. This occurs all the time where I live. The meter runs out. You grab your phone and buy more units. But now you can't load them because the meter has shut down the supply to your house and isn't talking to the CIU. Apparently there is a way around this, but it's not straightforward. Better to monitor your usage and buy just in time. Remembering that the stepped charges reset on the first of the month, so if it's the 28th, try to buy just enough, not 500 units that will carry over into next month (and they will, but you've paid a higher price for them).

Just now, Bobster. said:

I should think you'd have to show your face. The City does require that you present in person and that you are verified against an ID document and their records because only the property owner may request a change of tariff and sign all the consent forms.

If you paid a 3rd party and they took care of everything then there is probably a ... gratuity... built into their fee.

I remember getting rid of a car once. I wanted it off my name AQAP. I employed one of these intermediaries who told me that I had to present in person. So I said "OK... so I pay you fees why?". He said "meet me OUTSIDE at 8:30 tomorrow. DO NOT enter, DO NOT join any queue." So I did, and he marched me into some office, pointed at me and said "here he is. He was here and you've seen him" and the person in the office agreed that I had indeed been present. Then I get told thank you very much, you can go now and we'll call you when the paper work is done.

16 minutes ago, Bobster. said:

If you paid a 3rd party and they took care of everything then there is probably a ... gratuity... built into their fee.

Quite possibly - I did have to sign a power of attorney document which made me feel better. 😀

3 hours ago, AlexTZA said:

Some hopefully useful feedback for you based on my CoJ conversion to prepaid, as well as other's I'm aware of that have done the conversion in my complex:

1) Yes - they didn't have any problem with it.

2) If you have a prepaid meter directly from City Power, then you buy power at those published rates via Internet Banking etc.

3) Not as far as I'm aware - everything has to happen through the customer interface unit (CIU) which has a keypad and talks directly to the meter.

4) Not as far as I'm aware no - also through the customer interface unit.

5) Emails go into a black hole. There are two options - go to your municipal offices yourself, fill out the forms etc., or get a third party to register on your behalf for a fee (I took the latter approach as I didn't have the time or zen-master levels of patience to deal with council - I can provide details via PM).

6) No - I had the same 80A single phase connection.

FYI - the CoJ prepaid meters supplied, at least in Randburg from the Roodepoort CoJ (African Metering Solutions (AMS) CIU-PH04 since about mid 2022) CIU's use power line communication - i.e. the unit has to have a direct connection via your electrical wiring to the meter. Thus, you either need to manually switch the plug circuit you have the CIU connected to (presumably essential load plug) via a changeover switch back to Eskom to be able to load your prepaid vouchers or see you balance, or you need to have a non-essential/grid-connected plug for the meter that is electrically compliantly wired permanently into Eskom. I'm also aware of at least one instance in my complex where the meter was rather picky as to which plug it would reliably work on, so something potentially also to keep in mind.

@AlexTZAThank you very much for your reply. This is exactly the info that I need to get the project going, I will PM you.

Regarding your comment about the power line communication meters and with my limited understanding at this stage, this sounds like the best option to me at this stage:

"...or you need to have a non-essential/grid-connected plug for the meter that is electrically compliantly wired permanently into Eskom..."

I have done nothing yet on splitting my DB board in anticipation of a solar installation, going to prepaid will be my very first step on this journey.

@Bobster. Thanks for your comments and advice, I appreciate it.

3 hours ago, Bobster. said:

One thing you have to be careful of is not running out of units. This occurs all the time where I live.

3 hours ago, Bobster. said:

now you can't load them because the meter has shut down the supply to your house and isn't talking to the CIU. Apparently there is a way around this, but it's not straightforward.

If someone else on the forum knows how this workaround is set up to be able to load prepaid credit easily when you ran out of prepaid units, it would be useful to know.

Even with careful monitoring, it is bound to happen at some stage.

On 2022/12/01 at 6:15 PM, Concrete said:

My current use since June op to October when the latest CoJ tarifs kicked in, works out to R2.95 per kWh and I worked out that had I been on prepaid, based on the CoJ published rates, that I would have paid R2.52 per kWh and that I would have saved R2,650 in the last 5 months that could have gone towards paying for equipment.

Just be prepared for what comes next. Currently you're on a post-paid tariff. It is running behind real time and still has to be paid off. 

When I made the switch some years ago, I had two months of paying my usual bill for electricity AND feeding the pre-paid. This is expensive 

Then on the third month there was a credit for electricity on my statement, and since then it's been plain sailing and I no longer have an electricity heading on my statement. 

Also enquire about the cost of conversion. When I switched there was a flat fee for the necessary inspection, and an installation fee that varied according to the equipment they had to replace. I don't know what the charges are now, but ask the question. 

Finally, the meter they install will have a small number of units preloaded, to keep you going for a while. You're doing 40 kwh a day, so you want the meter registered and to buy & load some units ASAP. 

I hope this doesn't sound daunting. I recovered the cost of switching over in about 4 months, and then started saving. 

A couple of years later I got solar. Now I save a lot more.

 

@Bobster. Thanks, I will plan for the impact that you described on my cashflow and will also plan for the extra costs that will be incurred. I did a 12 month simulation based on my historical consumption based on the 2022/23 tarifs for prepaid and post-paid. Prepaid beats post-paid by a margin of R7,100 per year without factoring in the usual increases that will come in July 2023, so it looks like as was the case with your conversion, I will also pay off the costs of the conversion in a few months. I wish that I had done this earlier.

The next step will be to implement some power saving strategies to get the usage down from the  current 1200kWh per month and to install a solar system with a battery that will get the usage down by 850kWh per month to a level of 350kWh per month, the cheapest tier on prepaid which is currently R2.10 per kWh.

1 hour ago, Concrete said:

The next step will be to implement some power saving strategies to get the usage down from the  current 1200kWh per month and to install a solar system with a battery that will get the usage down by 850kWh per month to a level of 350kWh per month, the cheapest tier on prepaid which is currently R2.10 per kWh.

I would save up and get an Efergy (or other brand) monitor. They use a (CT) clamp that goes around the input wire on your DB board - so no cutting. It's a lot easier than installing a smart DB switch. Data gets uploaded to the cloud so you can monitor your peak usage and when you use electricity. It does monitor total demand but you get an idea of which devices (circuits) are using electricity quickly - and can focus on finding inefficient devices. Check your draw, switch on a device, wait 30s and then check the app again.

From experience, it's a very good way to save electricity quickly. You can comfortably say goodbye to tumble dryers, halogen lamps, large pool pumps,3 geysers, etc.

It will also be really helpful to help size your solar system as you have a far better idea of your power usage. Batteries are expensive and to get the most ROI you will want to maximize your power usage during the day.

IF you need to you can take it a step further. A kill-a-watt meter can also help to look at specific devices that operate off a plug. You can also make a power monitoring device using a Sonoff/Shelly/Tuya smart switch. Many of them have power consumption meters and will give more detailed data than a kill-a-wat - just a bit of DIY. I would use a Sonoff IP66 box and you can make a mini extension lead to see the demand profile over a period. Make sure you keep your load (well) below the rated maximum. 

@CliveSA Excellent points regarding understanding my use and reducing my use before sizing a solar system thank you, I only vaguely knew about these type of monitors and didn't know that they could be installed so easily. I see that the Efergy Engage Hub Kit is often sold second hand for around R1000 in the Classifieds section of the forum after a solar install, when the inverter would take over the monitoring after the install.

Making a power monitoring device as you described is probably beyond me at this stage but I will revisit your post when I know more. For now the suggestion of the Efergy sounds like exactly what I need for now in order to better understand my use and to reduce it, thank you.

I've been on CoJ pre-paid for over 10 years, and it surprises me that more people don't use CoJ pre-paid.
WARNING:
- Not all metro's tariffs are the same - YMMV eg EKURHULENI pre-paid is the same as postpaid.
- some metro's charge a connection/network fee on pre-paid

Tip 1: When installing Solar. ask you installer to add a plug on the feed side for the keypad
[if your keypad is communicating over power lines].

Tip 2: Make sure you install an official metro meter - go direct
There was a scam some years back where scammer would install a their pre-paid meter, and then transfer the Electricity statement to their account.
You would have two meters - CoJ meter and scammer's pre-paid.

Tip3: Load 45 days worth of units on install, and refill back every 30 days.
before solar,  I kept 2000 kWh in my meter and used ~900-1200kWh per month, I would refill back to 2000kWh.
On Solar I now use 200-300kWh per month, so I'm reducing the buffer from 2000 to 600.

Tip4: Buy from an official vendor - I use online banking / banking app.
Tip 5: Once you have Solar, get a timers for your geyser and set the schedule to use Solar to heat water (use geyser as a battery)
Mine is on 10:00am-6pm and 4am-6am
Also timer for pool - only run 9am-3pm
Tip 6: Measure Efergy /Sonoff POW/etc.

@Bobster.
My keypad has a 9V battery, and according to the manual is able to communicate even without any units (I've never run out of units)

 

 

 

 

1 hour ago, system32 said:

@Bobster.
My keypad has a 9V battery, and according to the manual is able to communicate even without any units (I've never run out of units)

I have a different meter. Brand name is Itron. IIRC this was being trialled in certain areas when COJ were still trying to read meters over the cell network. The first bunch they got in couldn't do the job and blamed Cell-C. They then switched to driving all over this suburb with what looked like a bunny ears TV aerial sticking out of the window of their car. That didn't work either, so COJ tried plan B, which was when the Itrons were rolled out. 

Anyhoo, the Itron interface unit has 3 X 1.5V rechargables. The ones it shipped with (no branding) were very good at not holding any charge, so I put in some Duracells. These also don't give more than a few seconds use without grid input, so either they aren't getting charged or the charger is rubbish and wrecks the batteries. This interface unit doesn't plug into the mains. It needs USB power, thus I conclude that it must be communicating with the main meter unit wirelessly.

The problem with running out of units and then finding yourself unable to reload is reported a lot in the next door suburb. Where I live (OK, in my street), people seem to be a bit more proactive as regards checking the balance on the meter. The suburb next door may have a different brand of meter if they were not part of the same trial.

COJ said a while back that they were going to take all the meters out of the boxes built into the house walls and mount them at the top of the street poles where they couldn't be tampered with. Concerned residents asked how they were going to load units onto their meters, and that seems to have been the end of that idea.

On 2022/12/01 at 6:15 PM, Concrete said:

1. Does CoJ allow you to switch to prepaid when you already have a system with panels on the roof that they will see when they come to do an inspection?

Unfortunately, this is no longer the case - you cannot use a prepaid meter with any sort of PV system on a residential property.

I installed my system in June last year and went through the exact thought process you are going through, as I only use around R100 per month (cloudy days etc.). After a lot of frustration and back-and-fourth, I eventually managed to get a pre-paid meter installed in December 2021. I happily only paid for what I was using and topped up the meter every few months.

Fast forward to October this year, City Power arrived to conduct an audit on me, as I was using too little electricity from the grid and they consequently accused me of stealing, and then disconnected me. I appealed and was told that I need to provide proof of my electricity generation before they could reconnect me, which was easy to do and then I requested to be reconnected. The only way I can be reconnected is to have a new smart meter installed - this meter allows for PV systems to provide power back into the grid. Regardless of whether or not your system is capable of feeding back to the grid, it is required. 

This is now as a result of the bylaw which was officially passed on 22nd September 2022. When I installed my system, the bylaw was still in draft format and had been since 2017. 

Oh and by the way, there is significant cost for the installation of the new meter, and the monthly fee is considerably higher than your existing connection fee. You need to pay for the privilege of having the grid as a back-up, even though Eskom cannot supply electricity and keep asking everyone to use less power. Yet another tax we are forced to pay should we wish to use the failing grid... You're better off keeping your post-paid meter - they will leave you alone as long as they are still getting a monthly income from you.

2 hours ago, system32 said:

I've been on CoJ pre-paid for over 10 years, and it surprises me that more people don't use CoJ pre-paid.

I can't say it's been 10 years, but even if I'd never had solar installed I would have saved a packet by now. So, like you, I'm surprised that more people don't take this option. 

The City should be encouraging it too. It's good for their cash flow. They switch you from being somebody who uses electricity and pays for it 2 months later to somebody who pays in advance.

Prepaid meters sound like a nice idea but where I live, you had to buy power with cash or with a Capitec account... random. Also, if we can't keep the lights on and record meter readings, this is just another system that can fall over. Most importantly, my prepaid meter charged me for export. I had the meter removed and now rely on a trusty old mechanical meter.

14 minutes ago, frivan said:

Prepaid meters sound like a nice idea but where I live, you had to buy power with cash or with a Capitec account... random. Also, if we can't keep the lights on and record meter readings, this is just another system that can fall over. Most importantly, my prepaid meter charged me for export. I had the meter removed and now rely on a trusty old mechanical meter.

There's no one scenario here. It depends on where you live, who supplies you... I live in the city of Johannesburg and am supplied by City Power and we can get pre-paid tokens in multiple places. Most banks (using the bank's cell phone app), most supermarkets. But it is not the case that every property in the Johannesburg municipality is supplied by City Power. Large chunks of Sandton and Soweto, for example, are supplied by Eskom. Different tariffs, different rules.

So we have to have carefully specific conversations around anything to do with by-laws and tariffs.

3 hours ago, Schnavel said:

Unfortunately, this is no longer the case - you cannot use a prepaid meter with any sort of PV system on a residential property.

I installed my system in June last year and went through the exact thought process you are going through, as I only use around R100 per month (cloudy days etc.). After a lot of frustration and back-and-fourth, I eventually managed to get a pre-paid meter installed in December 2021. I happily only paid for what I was using and topped up the meter every few months.

Fast forward to October this year, City Power arrived to conduct an audit on me, as I was using too little electricity from the grid and they consequently accused me of stealing, and then disconnected me. I appealed and was told that I need to provide proof of my electricity generation before they could reconnect me, which was easy to do and then I requested to be reconnected. The only way I can be reconnected is to have a new smart meter installed - this meter allows for PV systems to provide power back into the grid. Regardless of whether or not your system is capable of feeding back to the grid, it is required. 

This is now as a result of the bylaw which was officially passed on 22nd September 2022. When I installed my system, the bylaw was still in draft format and had been since 2017. 

Oh and by the way, there is significant cost for the installation of the new meter, and the monthly fee is considerably higher than your existing connection fee. You need to pay for the privilege of having the grid as a back-up, even though Eskom cannot supply electricity and keep asking everyone to use less power. Yet another tax we are forced to pay should we wish to use the failing grid... You're better off keeping your post-paid meter - they will leave you alone as long as they are still getting a monthly income from you.

Sad and not really fair if your system is not capable of feeding in.
My system is Hybrid, but not yet grid feeding.
If CityPower do an audit and force me to a new smart meter and pay TOU rates, then I'll feed  back and offset the new costs with revenue from sales.
Or go off-grid by adding a battery or two more.

Do you have a link to the new bylaws that were passed 22 Sept 2022?

Edited December 7, 20223 yr by system32

On 2022/12/06 at 8:27 AM, Bobster. said:

One thing you have to be careful of is not running out of units. This occurs all the time where I live. The meter runs out. You grab your phone and buy more units. But now you can't load them because the meter has shut down the supply to your house and isn't talking to the CIU. Apparently there is a way around this, but it's not straightforward. Better to monitor your usage and buy just in time. Remembering that the stepped charges reset on the first of the month, so if it's the 28th, try to buy just enough, not 500 units that will carry over into next month (and they will, but you've paid a higher price for them).

You need to put batteries into the handset thing so that it can run without power and then you can recharge.  Takes 3 x AA batteries if I remember correctly 

13 minutes ago, Sc00bs said:

You need to put batteries into the handset thing so that it can run without power and then you can recharge.  Takes 3 x AA batteries if I remember correctly 

I keep 3 handy, even though I'm very unlikely to need them. What I'm saying is that the charging function doesn't work very well. 

What hasn't occurred to me is that this is what is happening to folks. The rechargeable batteries don't charge, they have no grid, the handset thus turns off. If they just unplug it and put in good batteries, and there isn't loadshedding, then they'll be sorted. 

The batteries only have to last a few minutes whilst you key the token in. 

Edited December 7, 20223 yr by Bobster.

4 hours ago, Schnavel said:

Unfortunately, this is no longer the case - you cannot use a prepaid meter with any sort of PV system on a residential property.

I installed my system in June last year and went through the exact thought process you are going through, as I only use around R100 per month (cloudy days etc.). After a lot of frustration and back-and-fourth, I eventually managed to get a pre-paid meter installed in December 2021. I happily only paid for what I was using and topped up the meter every few months.

Fast forward to October this year, City Power arrived to conduct an audit on me, as I was using too little electricity from the grid and they consequently accused me of stealing, and then disconnected me. I appealed and was told that I need to provide proof of my electricity generation before they could reconnect me, which was easy to do and then I requested to be reconnected. The only way I can be reconnected is to have a new smart meter installed - this meter allows for PV systems to provide power back into the grid. Regardless of whether or not your system is capable of feeding back to the grid, it is required. 

This is now as a result of the bylaw which was officially passed on 22nd September 2022. When I installed my system, the bylaw was still in draft format and had been since 2017. 

 

This is the type of prepaid meter being installed by CoJ as recent as 21 Nov 2022. This was after a guy I know installed a Synsynk system. It was done some weeks after the new PV system.

Edited December 7, 20223 yr by Scorp007

8 hours ago, Schnavel said:

Unfortunately, this is no longer the case - you cannot use a prepaid meter with any sort of PV system on a residential property.

8 hours ago, Schnavel said:

This is now as a result of the bylaw which was officially passed on 22nd September 2022. When I installed my system, the bylaw was still in draft format and had been since 2017. 

Oh and by the way, there is significant cost for the installation of the new meter, and the monthly fee is considerably higher than your existing connection fee. You need to pay for the privilege of having the grid as a back-up, even though Eskom cannot supply electricity and keep asking everyone to use less power. Yet another tax we are forced to pay should we wish to use the failing grid... You're better off keeping your post-paid meter - they will leave you alone as long as they are still getting a monthly income from you.

Eish, I wonder how many people with solar PV systems and prepaid meters have had the same experience as you and how many will have this audit going forward. In your case I guess that you have to weigh up the additional fixed charges, in excess of the current R887 p.m. as I understand, with the cost of taking your system completely off grid.

I will have to monitor these developments, thanks for the warning.

@system32 Thank you very much for the useful tips, the warning about scams and the picture to show the plug on the feed side, much appreciated. And thanks again to everyone else for your contributions.

13 hours ago, system32 said:

Do you have a link to the new bylaws that were passed 22 Sept 2022?

https://www.saaea.org/renewable-energy-news/legal-connection-requirements-for-grid-tied-installations-city-power-johannesburg

https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/electricity-regulation-act-2006-act-no-4-licensing-exemption-and-registration-notice-for-public.pdf

The gazette (actually put forward on 2nd September, not 22nd), pertains to the new requirements regarding PV systems less than 100kW no longer requiring a license. Point 2.3 states that although no license is required, the distributor has prescribed the manner in which a point connection can work. When I spoke to City Power on this, they stated that a pre-paid meter is no longer acceptable and although you don't need a license for your PV system under 100kW, you do need to have a smart meter installed, regardless if you system is able to feed back into the system.

It seems that they are turning a blind eye to customers with post paid meters (for now), as they are still getting a revenue stream from them.

If anyone has any other information to the contrary, please share it, as this move has forced me to move off grid. I have heard of several other people having the same issues over the past 2 months with City Power when they are using a pre-paid meter.

For me to be reconnected, I would need to physically go into City Power's offices, apply for a reconnection at a fee of R2600, then pay an additional R2600 for a new meter and then still have to pay the monthly fees (higher with the new smart meters). Oh, and this will also take several months due to the processing times and applications...

9 hours ago, Schnavel said:

https://www.saaea.org/renewable-energy-news/legal-connection-requirements-for-grid-tied-installations-city-power-johannesburg

https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/electricity-regulation-act-2006-act-no-4-licensing-exemption-and-registration-notice-for-public.pdf

The gazette (actually put forward on 2nd September, not 22nd), pertains to the new requirements regarding PV systems less than 100kW no longer requiring a license. Point 2.3 states that although no license is required, the distributor has prescribed the manner in which a point connection can work. When I spoke to City Power on this, they stated that a pre-paid meter is no longer acceptable and although you don't need a license for your PV system under 100kW, you do need to have a smart meter installed, regardless if you system is able to feed back into the system.

It seems that they are turning a blind eye to customers with post paid meters (for now), as they are still getting a revenue stream from them.

If anyone has any other information to the contrary, please share it, as this move has forced me to move off grid. I have heard of several other people having the same issues over the past 2 months with City Power when they are using a pre-paid meter.

For me to be reconnected, I would need to physically go into City Power's offices, apply for a reconnection at a fee of R2600, then pay an additional R2600 for a new meter and then still have to pay the monthly fees (higher with the new smart meters). Oh, and this will also take several months due to the processing times and applications...

Thanks for the feedback.
I wish CityPower / CoJ would encourage PV + Storage by:
1) Publishing guidelines, rules, application forms, costs for TOU meters, tariffs for grid-feed
2) Streamline the process
3) Use plain-speak suitable for residents
see https://www.joburg.org.za/Documents/2020 Notices/Bylaw Notices/Proposed Draft Electricty By Laws.pdf
for an example of difficult to read legal speak (and the document refers to previous 2000 rules with no links)
4) Get with the renewable program and encourage cheap renewables.

Q1. What is the feed-in rate for CityPower?
Not listed in https://www.citypower.co.za/customers/Pages/Tariff-Info.aspx

Q2. Is it still "net-metering" or can I sell all my excess to CityPower.

EDIT:
According to https://www.sseg.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/City-Power-Experience-SSEG.pdf
https://www.joburg.org.za/documents_/Documents/2022-23 Final Tariffs/ITEM 3C Consolidated2022-23FinalTariffsForApproval-19May 2022.pdf

A1. ❖ Domestic Embedded Generator
✓ Customer should be on post-paid residential with Time of Use (ToU) tariff
✓ Residential Embedded Generator [Feed in rate] 70.70c/kWh flat rate [2022/23 rates]
TOU single phase <=80A Service/Admin + Capacity charge: R886.98 (inc VAT) [2022/23 rates]

I could not find 2022/23 TOU domestic rates, so these are from 2021/22 with a 14.49% increase:
The domestic TOU rates are telescopic, this is just up to 500kWh per month:

• Peak Summer 226.54c/kWh, Winter 521.19c/kWh
• Standard Summer 190.98c/kWh, Winter 227.84c/kWh
• Off-Peak Summer 140.98c/kWh, Winter 150.66c/kWh [ when you charge your Tesla ]

A2. Net Billing against consumption charges still applies

So they pay you 70.70c/kWh with a net metering limit, but will charge you up to 521.19c/kWh.
I could configure my system to ensure I only don't use grid during peak and only use battery.

I use ~180kWh from CoJ.
Using only Standard off Off-Peak, I would only be billed TOU R344 (summer) or R410 (winter) per month.
Due to net-metering I could make a maximum of R344 (summer) or R410 (winter) per month.
Does not sound like a good home business plan considering I would have to pay for a new meter, pay R886.98/pm fees.

CoJ should/must remove the net-metering to make it viable.
CoJ can come and beg me when they remove the net-metering so I can give CoJ all the excess kWh.
TIP: Pay me more to grid-feed during peak - I'll discharge my battery during peak to grid feed.
Pay me like you pay Eskom.

I can then offset grid-feed revenue against:

• Electricity consumption kWh
• Electricity Service/Admin Fee + Capacity charge
• Water consumption KL
• Sewer Fee
• PIKITUP
• Rates & taxes

And if I exceed the total due, pay me cash.
It's a win-win situation - my kWh are cleaner than Eskom's

Edited December 8, 20223 yr by system32