City of Cape Town SSEG Registration and Feed-In Tariff Guide

Key Takeaways

• Registration of embedded generation is free of municipal charges: there is no charge to register EG systems, and fees apply only if you fail to register.
• Since 1 October 2023, all new solar PV and/or battery systems are being treated as grid-tied and must use City-approved inverters, have professional sign-off, and be authorised before switching on.
• Property owners can delegate technical application submission to their accredited installer using the Grant Proxy Authorisation application on e-Services.
• Regulatory compliance deadlines require owners to register the SSEG within one month and conclude the authorisation process within three months.
• Feed-in systems require an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meter installed at the customer's expense, housed on the street-front property boundary.

Municipal Registration Mandate & Cost Policies

All embedded generation installations connected to the municipal electrical network in Cape Town must receive formal authorisation prior to being energised. To encourage voluntary compliance, the City maintains a zero-cost registration policy: there is no charge to register EG systems. A fee will only be applied if you fail to register your system. The municipality's formal guidance reiterates that the registration and authorisation process is free.

This authorisation process applies across defined capacity bands:

• Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG): The authorisation process for embedded generation installations applies to small-scale embedded generation (SSEG) systems with a generation capacity smaller than 1 mega-volt ampere (MVA).
• Large Embedded Generation (EG): Embedded generation (EG) systems with a generation capacity of more than 1MVA and less than 100MVA in properties require additional licensing approvals from NERSA prior to municipal grid interconnection.

Crucially, policy changes implemented on 1 October 2023 eliminated separate pathways for off-grid or standby systems on grid-connected premises: since 1 October 2023, all new solar PV and/or battery systems are being treated as grid-tied and must use City-approved inverters, have professional sign-off, and be authorised before switching on. The City confirmed that we are no longer accepting applications for standby and off-grid systems due to the risks they pose.

Online Application Workflow and Proxy Delegation

To streamline administration, all applications for small-scale embedded generation in the City's electrical supply area must be done online via the Energy Services platform on e-Services.

Because SSEG submissions involve complex electrical engineering specifications, single line diagrams, and test reports:

• Grant Proxy Authorisation: Property owners can grant another e-Services user (such as the installer) the ability to apply for the authorisation of their solar PV and/or battery system on their behalf via the Grant Proxy Authorisation application.
• Statutory Timelines: Installers and property owners must adhere to strict procedural deadlines: register the SSEG within one month and conclude the authorisation process within three months.

Equipment specified in the submission must be verified against the official register titled TYPE TESTED INVERTERS/EQUIPMENT IN TERMS OF NRS 097-2-1 2026/06/10.

Metering Options: Feed-in vs Non-Feed-in Systems

The authorisation path determines the hardware and metering requirements imposed on the customer:

• Feed-in Installations (Selling to the Grid): If you have a feed-in system, you will need to install an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meter at your own cost. Furthermore, to ensure municipal technicians can access metering equipment without entering private grounds: you are also required to install the metering accommodation for the bi-directional meter on the street-front property boundary.
• Non-Feed-in Installations (Zero-Export): If you do not intend to feed into the grid, you will need to enable reverse power flow blocking. A prepayment meter is required and will be installed by us at our cost.

Following physical installation, testing, and submission of the Certificate of Compliance (CoC), the City conducts final verification and issues a formal Commissioning Approval Letter, legally permitting system operation.