KEY POINTS
- Eskom extended free rooftop solar registration and smart meter waiver to September 30, 2026, saving users up to R9,132.
- A prepaid metering option for residential solar users is being tested ahead of wider rollout.
- Households installing systems under 100kW must register and submit compliance documents for safe grid integration.
Eskom has extended its registration fee waiver for Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) systems, including rooftop solar, from March 31 to September 30, 2026.
The initiative, first introduced in March 2023, removes registration charges and smart meter costs for households installing photovoltaic (PV) systems of up to 50kW, allowing customers to save as much as R9,132 in connection expenses.
The power utility also revealed plans to introduce a prepaid metering option for residential customers installing rooftop solar systems. The option is currently being tested and will be rolled out more broadly once implementation requirements are finalised. Customers may keep their existing meters or receive smart meters at no cost while still qualifying for the waiver.
Registration Required for Safe Grid Integration
Eskom noted that national regulations require all SSEG systems under 100kW connected to the electricity network to be registered with either Eskom or local municipalities.
Registration ensures installations are safely integrated into the grid. To simplify compliance, Eskom will continue waiving related charges for eligible systems until the September 2026 deadline.
These documents can be approved by a professional registered with the Department of Employment and Labour, helping to reduce both costs and processing time.
