Register your solar panel or face a R6,400 fine, Cape Town warns residents

26-11-2018
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Business Insider
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Cape Town says it will fine residents R6,425.90 and disconnect their solar panels if it's not registered. The city says it needs to assure that the connections are safe, and does not interfere with the quality of electricity supply. Residents have until February 28, 2019, to register their solar panels. The DA-run City of Cape Town has threatened to disconnect solar panels, and slap residents with an R6,425.90 fine if they fail to register their rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) installations.

Mayoral committee member for informal settlements, water and waste services, and energy, Xanthea Limberg said unauthorised PV systems can interfere with the quality of electricity supply, electricity demand management and future network planning.

She said residents have a “grace period” until February 28, 2019, to register their solar PV connections.

Also read: Under new draft rules every solar panel on every house – and backup generators too – will have to be registered with the government “The City embraces the uptake of alternative energy as this contributes to creating a cleaner and greener city,” Limberg said in a statement.

“We are, however, required to ensure that electricity supply systems comply with relevant standards and do not pose a safety risk.”

She explained that the fine will be used to pay for the removal of unauthorised solar connections.

The City of Cape Town, Limberg said, is legally required to ensure that the electricity distributed to all its customers complies with set quality standards.

This registration requirement applies to both grid-tied and off-grid solar PV systems but does not apply to solar water heaters.

“We would like to thank our customers for their cooperation during the registration process.”