Eskom extends rooftop solar registration fee waiver by six months and advances prepaid residential option
Thursday, 26 March 2026: Eskom is strengthening its support for customers using Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) systems, such as rooftop solar, by extending its registration fee waiver from 31 March 2026 to 30 September 2026 and advancing the introduction of a prepaid option for residential customers. These measures ensure that systems of up to 50kW are connected safely, responsibly, and in line with national requirements as rooftop solar adoption continues to grow.
A new prepaid option will soon be available for residential customers who wish to install a rooftop solar system while remaining on prepaid metering. Customers may retain their existing setup or, where required, have a free smart meter installed, and still qualify for the cost waiver for systems of up to 50kW. The option is currently being tested, with the intent to proceed to immediate broader rollout once initial implementation requirements are confirmed.
As more households and businesses choose to install rooftop solar, Eskom remains committed to helping customers connect these systems safely while supporting South Africa’s transition to cleaner energy.
National regulations require all SSEG systems that are under 100kW and connected to the electricity network, including rooftop solar system, to be registered with the customer’s electricity supplier, which is either Eskom or the local municipality. Registration helps ensure these installations are known, connected safely and integrated responsibly into the electricity network.
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), in its media statement dated 2 February 2026, explained that registration plays an important role in keeping the electricity system safe and reliable. While a Certificate of Compliance confirms that a rooftop solar system or other SSEG installation meets electrical safety standards, registration ensures these systems are connected in a way that protects the national grid. The regulator also emphasised that registration is not intended to discourage people from installing solar, but to support responsible, safe and compliant connection of customer‑owned generation.
To make compliance simple, Eskom will continue waiving registration‑related charges for eligible systems until 30 September 2026. Customers only need to submit the following:
- A Certificate of Compliance (CoC)
- An inverter test certificate
- A test report for the installation
These systems may also be signed off by a person registered with the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL), helping reduce costs and processing time.
“We recognise the important role customers play in South Africa’s energy transition. Our goal is to ensure installations are safe, compliant and aligned with protecting the national grid,” said Eskom’s Acting Group Executive for Distribution, Agnes Mlambo.
“The extension means that all registration and connection fees including a free smart meter (up to R10k for urban/ residential customers and R36k for rural customers), are waived until 30 September 2026 for Eskom customer solar systems up to 50kVA,” concluded Mlambo.
Eskom urges customers to make use of the registration fee waiver while it remains in place and reaffirms its commitment to supporting customers throughout the registration process. The safe and compliant integration of customer‑owned rooftop solar systems is critical to maintaining a stable and reliable electricity network.
More information on SSEGs is available on the Eskom website, via the following link: https://www.eskom.co.za/distribution/small-scale-embedded-generators/ or by calling 0860 037 566.
ENDS
