Eskom and certain municipalities have sparked controversy by threatening fines or electricity disconnections for households that have not registered their solar systems with the utility. Recent amendments to registration requirements and shifting deadlines have created confusion and uncertainty among homeowners and solar installation companies.
Energy expert Chris Yelland, managing director at EE Business Intelligence, says while registration is necessary, it should not be overseen by Eskom. “Eskom is not the safety regulator for behind-the-meter installations. That role falls under the Department of Labour via the Occupational Health and Safety Act,” he explains.
Eskom has argued that registration ensures all solar connections comply with codes, standards, and NERSA guidelines. The utility also claims that increasing numbers of household solar systems feeding electricity into the grid could affect network stability. However, critics argue that Eskom currently has no legal authority to force residential solar registration.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has labelled the utility’s threats as “impractical, irrational, and unfair.” CEO Wayne Duvenage says: “What is at stake are the rights of citizens who have spent significant personal funds to protect themselves against rising electricity prices and unreliable supply.”
OUTA emphasizes that homeowners with valid certificates of compliance are already meeting legal safety requirements. “Eskom and municipalities have no business dictating what people do behind the meter on their own property,” Duvenage said.
The utility’s aggressive registration campaign, which included fines and threats of disconnection, has seen limited compliance—only about 10% of households and small businesses have registered to date. High registration costs, estimated between R20,000 and R50,000, have also fueled backlash.
Yelland points out that Eskom’s cited legislation, the Electricity Regulation Act, does not cover residential installations. “Any suggestion that Eskom is enforcing legal compliance for household solar systems is incorrect,” he says. He also suggests that the real driver behind the campaign may be revenue-related, as increased adoption of solar and alternative energy sources reduces Eskom’s electricity sales.
Despite these tensions, recent reports indicate that Eskom is scaling back its threats, suggesting a recognition that its authority over residential solar installations is limited and that enforcement efforts are misaligned with current legislation.
