February 20, 20251 yr WRT https://api.citypower.co.za/ftp-service/download-pdf/{filepath}?filepath=Media_Room%2FMedia_Statements%2FA_guide_to_solar_instations_in_the_City_of_Johannesburg.pdf Quote The application process requires the submission of several key documents, including a fully completed Electricity Supply Form, a Single Line Diagram, Inverter Datasheet, Inverter NRS Certificate, Design/Drawings, Site Plan/Layout, Maintenance Procedure, PV Commissioning Form, and a Certificate of Compliance. For systems exceeding 350kVA, a Grid Impact Study is mandatory and must receive approval from the Planning Evaluation Committee (PEC). This ensures that all installations are not only efficient but also safe for integration into the existing grid. Once the installation is complete, it is vital that the system undergoes testing and commissioning. Customers must submit the Certificate of Compliance (CoC) along with the PV Commissioning Form to City Power. Following a successful review, City Power will issue a pre-approval letter, leading to the final approval letter. To facilitate the measurement of both electricity import and export, a smart/bi-directional meter will be installed at the customer's expense This means that those seeking to install solar will be converted to post-paid to enable City Power to monitor consumption and ensure that they contribute towards network service fee like all other customers. In terms of financial considerations, City Power has established a transparent fee structure for the Grid Assessment impact study, which varies based on the size of the generator facilities. The following cost estimate fees are applicable for the Maximum Export Capacity: Customer Supply Size: 0-1MVA Category as per Grid Code: A3 Applicable Cost Estimate Fee: R30 000 + vat 1) What are the current rates for feeding back into the grid? Is there still that R400 odd upfront cost with less that 50% rebate vs what they charge? 2) I've heard that Eskom is slowly switching to meters that track Time Of Use. Would installations with just battery backup require the "solar" registration? 3) Would a completely separate solar circuit (ie no connected to the grid) mean that it is not required to register even if there was an grid supply to the same property?
February 20, 20251 yr I am also very interested in point #3. They say we have to register our systems as it poses risk to people working on the network and there is a possibility that our systems could be back feeding power to the grid. but what if our systems are physically not connected to the incoming line? say your whole DB is connected to your solar system and the incoming power (Eskom/city power/ etc) is connected to a separate DB board with no links to the house DB???
February 20, 20251 yr 2 hours ago, rinners said: 1) What are the current rates for feeding back into the grid? Is there still that R400 odd upfront cost with less that 50% rebate vs what they charge? Last I heard they were paying the NERSA rate, which is not great. And I believe the net consumer requirement is in place. 2 hours ago, rinners said: 2) I've heard that Eskom is slowly switching to meters that track Time Of Use. Would installations with just battery backup require the "solar" registration? Good question. If you're talking about a trolley inverter then I'd think not. That just plugs into the wall and doesn't generate. If you had an inverter/battery system wired into your DB then a fresh COC would be required. But that's still not GENERATING. It's embedded generators that require registration - not specifically solar, though that is the most common scenario. 2 hours ago, rinners said: 3) Would a completely separate solar circuit (ie no connected to the grid) mean that it is not required to register even if there was an grid supply to the same property? ISTR that this was discussed when Eskom started banging the registration gong recently, and the answer is that you don't need to register but you do need to prove that the system is completely isolated from the grid. This presumes that the City is actively enforcing. Is that the case? In COCT they use drone footage to spot the solar panels, but are COJ doing anything like that. It seems to me that right now they are just saying that registration is required but aren't actively seeking out properties with solar panels.
February 20, 20251 yr OK. So the rules are changing. https://mybroadband.co.za/news/energy/582448-bad-news-for-people-with-solar-panels-who-want-to-sell-power-to-the-grid.html This just reinforces my belief that the best approach to reselling is to not do it.
February 21, 20251 yr 5 hours ago, Bobster. said: https://mybroadband.co.za/news/energy/582448-bad-news-for-people-with-solar-panels-who-want-to-sell-power-to-the-grid.html We could have a few people put up big systems and reduce energy cost for everyone. Or we could have energy poverty... Looks like a communist drew up these rules. I don't think we should compensate the municipality or Eskom in cash either.
February 21, 20251 yr 7 hours ago, Bobster. said: OK. So the rules are changing. https://mybroadband.co.za/news/energy/582448-bad-news-for-people-with-solar-panels-who-want-to-sell-power-to-the-grid.html This just reinforces my belief that the best approach to reselling is to not do it. What does City of Cape Town say about this? Will they still be allowing people to sell back unlimited power for profit, or will they just be doing net-billing also? All I can say in my humble experience of 10 years grid-tied to NMBM, it's really hard to do a long-term investment case when tariff structures change every other year.
February 21, 20251 yr 4 minutes ago, GreenFields said: What does City of Cape Town say about this? Will they still be allowing people to sell back unlimited power for profit, or will they just be doing net-billing also? All I can say in my humble experience of 10 years grid-tied to NMBM, it's really hard to do a long-term investment case when tariff structures change every other year. COCT negotiated a 2 year exemption from that rule. I should think that 2 years is close to up, and I hope the people of Cape Town were paying attention. It is possible that COCT intend to renew that exemption, but I would think it's not automatic.
February 21, 20251 yr 29 minutes ago, GreenFields said: All I can say in my humble experience of 10 years grid-tied to NMBM, it's really hard to do a long-term investment case when tariff structures change every other year. But this is the way it is. It's the way humans work. Circumstances change, and we have to change the way we do things. Look at the state of California. A few years ago they were encouraging people to put solar panels on their roof and were paying a very good feed back tariff. Now they have lots of solar on roof tops, and with reselling they found, as many do, that they had lots of power available at times of day when they couldn't use it. Plus they have lots more solar and batteries on the supply side of the grid that generate nice cheap, non-polluting electricty, and allow them to release it when they need it. So California have been constantly cutting the rate they pay householders for feeding back. I think I am right that they are not paying at all. My point is that it because it happened in the wealthiest state in the US that makes it OK now. My point is that governments, all of them, at every level, are imperfect, don't get things unchangingly right, and have to change as conditions change, as we learn more about various technologies.
February 21, 20251 yr Author I'm not sure whether you guys in Cape Town you have to pay R30k + VAT to have your installations validated REGARDLESS of whether you sell to the grid or not? This thread is mostly to determine what to do in JHB because of this new requirement for a "grid impact study" of rooftop solar installations. What are the requirements for domestic solar systems in CoCT? Do you only need to register if you wish to feed into the grid or is it compulsory for all installations as it sounds like they are tying to push up north? I've heard that in Cape Town drones where used to find rooftops with solar. Given what you've mentioned about where California ended up and that Eskom seems to be rolling out new meters that track Time of Use I don't think selling back to the grid will be viable for the average home user. And most will have any export turned off currently to avoid getting charged for it currently anyway.
February 21, 20251 yr Author 22 hours ago, mossie.jhb said: I am also very interested in point #3. They say we have to register our systems as it poses risk to people working on the network and there is a possibility that our systems could be back feeding power to the grid. but what if our systems are physically not connected to the incoming line? say your whole DB is connected to your solar system and the incoming power (Eskom/city power/ etc) is connected to a separate DB board with no links to the house DB??? It sounds like that if you have panels on your roof you'll have to have the grid impact study done to get approval to say that you aren't feeding back into the grid so you might as well just leave it as is.
February 21, 20251 yr 2 hours ago, rinners said: I'm not sure whether you guys in Cape Town you have to pay R30k + VAT to have your installations validated REGARDLESS of whether you sell to the grid or not? We don't. I know because my system is registered, I've got the certificate to prove it, and I didn't pay City Power a cent. This has been clumsily handled by the media and by CP themselves, but the regulations say that the feasibility study is only required for systems 350kVa and up. Most domestic installations are nowhere near that size.
February 21, 20251 yr If I had decent roof space at my house, I would go almost-off-grid: council supply goes to a new small DB that has a plug for just in case next to it and the only other breaker is a battery charger that can be managed by data signal relay. This council connection is 20A, so carries the smallest basic fee if any at all. That gives you about 2kWdc charge capacity if ever needed. entirely separate from council is the old DB running off battery inverter. In effect the battery is pure isolation from grid. It normally charges from solar input to battery inverter but if needed a relay allows the grid connected charger to also charge the battery. All your house loads sit on this DB. Because impossible to export, the NRS size limit on solar does no apply. Obviously must still comply with electrical and building safety rules & regulations, but none of the other stuff. Why not completely off-grid? Most council bylaws allow them to charge you for there being a connection available, even if you don’t use it. This way you get some benefit from the small connection - that 2kW charge can help a lot in bad solar times. When I sell my house I will build a single floor home with the right roof to put up a LOT of solar. My current house has awkward roofs and is too big for my 8kW of solar.
February 23, 20251 yr On 2025/02/21 at 8:45 AM, Bobster. said: My point is that it because it happened in the wealthiest state in the US that makes it OK now. My point is that governments, all of them, at every level, are imperfect, don't get things unchangingly right, and have to change as conditions change, as we learn more about various technologies. I am happy that buy back rates depend on market forces, this isn't a policy change in my mind. In SA we have been promised a market but we may only see it over the next 5 years. Preventing the cheapest form of energy from being purchased (above annual consumption) is dumb policy and especially the wrong policy if we have load shedding. But my view will be contrary to those whose policy it is to impoverish people (powers that be).
February 27, 20251 yr On 2025/02/20 at 10:37 AM, mossie.jhb said: I am also very interested in point #3. They say we have to register our systems as it poses risk to people working on the network and there is a possibility that our systems could be back feeding power to the grid. but what if our systems are physically not connected to the incoming line? say your whole DB is connected to your solar system and the incoming power (Eskom/city power/ etc) is connected to a separate DB board with no links to the house DB??? On 2025/02/23 at 11:53 AM, frivan said: I am happy that buy back rates depend on market forces, this isn't a policy change in my mind. In SA we have been promised a market but we may only see it over the next 5 years. Preventing the cheapest form of energy from being purchased (above annual consumption) is dumb policy and especially the wrong policy if we have load shedding. But my view will be contrary to those whose policy it is to impoverish people (powers that be). I need to get a COC for my house that include a solar system (utility backup only) I have a prepaid meter. i need the COC because I’m selling my house, electricians said at they can’t do a COC unless I register the system, I’m in Tshwane and it looks like they don’t have a process in place what tomdo?
March 1, 20251 yr On 2025/02/27 at 6:20 PM, Deon_J said: they can’t do a COC unless I register the system Get another Electrician. They should check compliance of your electrical system and inverter installation against SANS10142-1. You could get a ECSA registered person to sign off on NRS097-2-1 compliance.
March 4Mar 4 Are there any companies in the Joburg area that can assist me to register an already installed Solar System? I find the entire process confusing and need assistanceRegardsBilly
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