The 2026 City Power & Eskom Registration Guide for Legal Solar Connections
In Johannesburg, registering your grid-connected Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) system is not optional. Both City Power and Eskom require all homeowners to register their solar setups to protect grid workers and prevent billing complications.
Unregistered systems can lead to fines, disconnection, or billing bugs where you are incorrectly charged for the electricity your solar panels feed back into the grid. This checklist simplifies the municipal requirements into a clear, jargon-free step-by-step roadmap.
Before buying an inverter, verify that it has been tested and certified under the South African standard NRS 097-2-1. If your inverter is not on the approved municipal list, City Power and Eskom will reject your application.
Most models by Sunsynk, Deye, Victron Energy, Growatt, and GoodWe are fully certified. Always ask your installer for the NRS 097 certificate sheet before proceeding.
Municipalities require proof that your roof can handle the physical load of solar panels, and that your connection won't damage the power grid.
Once installation is complete, the lead installation electrician must perform testing and sign off a Certificate of Compliance (CoC).
The CoC must explicitly cover the solar system (inverter, batteries, panel array, and DB board isolation switch). Without this, your home insurance company will reject any claims related to electrical faults or fire.
The final step is to submit your complete documentation pack to City Power or Eskom.
After submission, City Power or Eskom will inspect the paperwork and authorize a meter change to a bi-directional smart meter (which correctly registers reverse feed and prevents false billing charges).
Compiling structural engineers, electrical schematics, and municipal follow-ups is complicated. Always choose a professional solar installer who includes the entire municipal registration service in their quote pack.