South Africa’s solar users have received a major boost. Eskom has officially removed one of the biggest hurdles for households and small businesses with rooftop solar systems. The power utility has dropped the costly requirement for approval from professionals registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).
This change, effective 1 October 2025, is part of Eskom’s plan to make solar power adoption easier, faster, and more affordable. It forms part of an improved Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) registration process.
What Has Changed for Solar Users
In the past, anyone installing a rooftop solar system that connected to the national grid needed approval from an ECSA-registered engineer. This often added thousands of rands to installation costs and caused long delays.
Now, that step is gone. Under the new rules, homeowners and small businesses only need the following:
- A valid Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for the installation.
- An embedded generation installation test report, signed by a Department of Labour-registered Installation or Master Electrician.
This adjustment aligns with South Africa’s Electrical Installation Regulations. It ensures systems remain safe while removing unnecessary costs and paperwork.
According to Eskom, the change follows “a review of compliance and safety requirements and a stringent due diligence process.” The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) is expected to update national standards to reflect these changes soon.
How Much Money Will This Save You?
The biggest benefit is lower costs. Eskom estimates that the change will save customers over R9,000 on a typical 16kVA rooftop solar system.
This is welcome relief for families and small businesses struggling with rising electricity prices and ongoing load shedding.
In addition, the simplified process makes it easier to connect legally to the national grid. Eskom explained that the goal is “to make it easier, safer, and more affordable for households and small businesses to connect legally.”
Therefore, more South Africans can now join the clean energy movement without breaking the bank.
Why Registration Still Matters
Although the process is simpler, registration is still a legal requirement. All embedded generation systems under 100kVA must be registered with their electricity supplier, even if they do not export power to the grid.
Eskom’s Acting Group Executive for Distribution, Agnes Mlambo, reminded customers that registration ensures both compliance and safety.
“Registration not only ensures compliance and safety but also positions customers to benefit from future programmes that reward clean energy generation,” said Mlambo.
Failing to register could lead to penalties or disconnection from the grid. In addition, registration helps Eskom and municipalities plan for stable power supply and network safety.
Benefits of Registering Your Solar Power System
Eskom has also introduced incentives to encourage legal registration. These include:
- No registration and smart meter fees for households with solar systems up to 50kVA.
- Eligibility for the Nersa-approved Homeflex tariff, which provides credits for exporting excess electricity back to the grid.
- Access to future demand response programmes, allowing users to save money by using power during off-peak hours.
Furthermore, registered systems are more likely to qualify for future government or municipal rebates. Eskom added that it is also developing options for prepaid customers, ensuring they can participate safely and legally.
Why This Change Matters
This policy change is a breakthrough for South Africa’s solar industry. Over the past few years, many homeowners and small firms have invested in rooftop solar to avoid load shedding and reduce energy costs. However, the ECSA sign-off requirement made the process complicated and expensive.
Civil society organisations, including the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) and AfriForum, criticised the rule. They argued that Eskom had no legal basis for it and that it created unnecessary barriers to renewable energy adoption.
Chris Yelland, Managing Director of EE Business Intelligence, was one of the experts who pushed for change. He pointed out that Eskom’s previous rule relied on a non-gazetted supplementary note in the SANS 10142-1-2 standards, which meant it was not legally binding.
“Eskom had no legal grounds for excluding grid-tied or hybrid systems from approval by registered electricians,” Yelland explained.
As a result, Eskom reviewed its approach and aligned it with national electrical safety laws. The new system is simpler, fairer, and more accessible.
A Step Forward for South Africa’s Energy Future
The update represents a positive step for South Africa’s clean energy transition. By lowering costs and cutting red tape, Eskom is encouraging more people to invest in decentralised energy generation.
This could ease pressure on the national grid, support economic growth, and accelerate progress toward a sustainable energy future.
Eskom said it continues to work with the energy industry to ensure safety standards remain strong while making solar more accessible. The company’s statement noted that it wants to make the process “as simple, safe, and cost-effective as possible for customers.”
In the long term, this change could help build a more resilient and environmentally friendly power system for all South Africans.
How to Register Your Solar System
If you plan to install a rooftop solar system, follow these steps to stay compliant:
- Hire a registered Installation or Master Electrician to install and inspect your solar system.
- Obtain a valid Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for the electrical work.
- Have your electrician complete the embedded generation installation test report.
- Submit the required documents to Eskom or your local municipality.
- Wait for approval and confirmation before connecting your system to the grid.
You can find registration forms and guidelines on Eskom’s website or from your local municipal electricity department.
Also check: R20,000 Rooftop Solar Relief Announced for SA Homeowners
Eskom’s decision to scrap the ECSA sign-off rule is a major victory for South African consumers. It cuts red tape, reduces costs, and opens the door for more households to produce their own clean energy.
With this simplified process, homeowners can focus on installing safe, compliant systems without facing unnecessary delays or extra fees.
As more South Africans turn to solar power, the country takes another step toward a brighter, greener, and more reliable energy future.
