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Photo credit: Bruce Sutherland, City of Cape Town.Solar PV system at the City of Cape Town’s Royal Ascot building.ROOFTOP SOLAR PVGUIDELINES FOR SAFE AND LEGALINSTALLATIONS IN CAPE TOWNIf you are considering installing a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system, but you arenot sure how to do it safely and legally, these guidelines will help you to:Make informed decisionsabout what type of PVsystem to install.REVISION APRIL 2022Evaluate your prospectiveservice providers.Understand all the keyrequirements before, duringand after installation.

The City of Cape Town is encouraging the installationof private Small Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG)systems, particularly rooftop solar PV systems.This document provides important information forinstalling a safe and legal solar PV system. or more information about the SSEG application process in the City of Cape Town’sFlicensed supply areas, go to http://www.capetown.gov.za/solarPV and http://www.capetown.gov.za/elecserviceforms For information about electricity saving, solar PV and FAQs,go to http://www.savingelectricity.org.zaCONNECTING WITHOUT APPROVAL ISILLEGAL AND DANGEROUSIllegally connected systems could compromise the safetyof your family, our family and the electricity grid.All new and existing PV systems mustbe authorised by the City of Cape TownGo to www.capetown.gov.za/solarPV to find out how to register your systemTHINGS TO CONSIDER:1. SAFETYPoorly installed and illegally connected solar PV systems are a safetyconcern: Thehousehold may be exposed to the risk of electrical firesand electric shock The safety and the power quality of the electricity grid may becompromised by connections that use the wrong equipmentor by adding unplanned generation capacity to a part of thenetwork not designed to carry it. The safety of electricity staff working on the reticulationnetwork could be compromised by electricity feeding into thegrid from the illegally connected solar PV installations.The compulsory wiring standards forgeneral electrical installations includesrequirements for solar PV installationshowever the additional wiringstandards for SSEG connected inparallel to the normal electrical supplyare still to be published.This does not mean that you are notallowed to install a PV system. Butwithout these quality reference points,you need to know how to ensure a safeinstallation and a good quality productthat complies with the law.This brochure focuses on SSEG systemswith a generation capacity smaller than1MVA however the authorisation processis the same for embedded generation(EG) installations with a generationcapacity of more than 1 MVA and lessthan 100MVA. These system sizes do notrequire a licence from NERSA.For EG systems, larger than 1MVA, theCity of Cape Town should be contacteddirectly for additional authorisationrequirements

2. TYPES OF PV SYSTEMSTHERE ARE FOUR TYPICAL CONFIGURATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PV SYSTEMS:The most common installation types are options A and B: Grid-tied feed-in and grid-tied hybrid systemsA. G RID-TIED PV SYSTEMSGrid-tied PV systemsSSEG that is connected in parallel to thedistribution network either directly or througha customer’s internal wiring is said to begrid-tied. SSEG that is connected to the gridthrough a reverse power flow blocking relayis also considered to be grid-tied.a) Grid-tied with exportCustomer is allowed to exportexcess electricity generatedby the system onto the gridbut needs to remain a NetConsumer.Solar panels convert sunlightinto clean DC energyCity of Cape Townelectricity gridExisting electricaldistribution boardCity-approvedinverter convertsDC electricity intouseable AC electriciyb) Grid-tied with no export:Customer needs toinstall reverse power flowblocking protection in order toensure that no excess electricity isexported to the grid.New City-approvedbi-directionalelectricity meterB. GRID-TIED HYBRIDPV SYSTEMSDuring peak consumptionperiods and at night, electricityis imported from the gridGrid-tied hybrid PV systems areable to disconnect the incomingsupply and connect the loadto the PV system or storedenergy in batteries. Thesesystems can operateCity of Cape Townin load-sheddingelectricity gridscenarios.Exported electricity:When the solar system generates moreelectricity than your building uses theexcess electricity goes back into the gridand the City will credit you for it at a setfeed in tariff. Grid-tied with no export:A reverse flow blocking device isincluded and no electricity is exportedback onto the grid.Solar panels convert sunlightinto clean DC energyExisting electricaldistribution boardSuitablyinterlockedchange-over switchCity-approvedinverter convertsDC electricity intouseable AC electriciyBattery is chargedwhen solarproduction isgreater thanhousehold demandNew City-approved bi-directionalelectricity meterDuring peak consumptionperiods and at night, electricityis imported from the gridExported electricity:When the solar system generates more electricity thanyour building uses the excess electricity goes back intothe grid and the City will credit you for it at a set feedin tariff.

C. S TANDBY PV SYSTEMS (INTERCONNECTED WITHELECTRICAL INSTALLATION)In a standby PV system, electrical loads aresupplied by either the PV system or the gridbut never both at the same time. Thereare two types of standby PV systems:1) Passive standby UPS utilisedas standby hybrid SSEG, and 2)Alternative supplySolar panels convert sunlightinto clean DC energyExisting electricaldistribution boardSuitablyinterlockedchange-over switchCity of Cape Townelectricity gridCity-approvedinverter convertsDC electricity intouseable AC electriciyBattery is chargedwhen solarproduction isgreater thanhousehold demandNew City-approved bi-directionalelectricity meterDuring peak consumptionperiods and at night, electricityis imported from the gridExported electricity:When the solar system generates more electricity thanyour building uses the excess electricity goes back intothe grid and the City will credit you for it at a set feedin tariff.D. O FF-GRID (STANDALONE) PV SYSTEMSStandalone or off grid PVsystems A PV system that is wiredcompletely separately fromthe electricity grid: cannot beNo change to existingconnected directly or indirectlydistribution boardthrough the building’sExisting electricitymeterwiring. Typically wired forspecific loads only. ThisElectricity gridcould include a geyserelectrical heating elementsupplied from a solarPV generation sourcedirectly.Solar panels convert sunlightinto clean DC energyCharge controllerPV systemdistribution boardBattery bankInverter convertsDC electricityinto usable ACelectricityElectricity circuitindependent ofthe electricity grid

CCTESKOMThe City distributes electricity to 75% ofCape Town, while Eskom distributeselectricity directly to the remaining 25%.Make sure you know who distributes electricity to your area: it will beon your electricity bill.The type of PV systems that are permitted to be connected to the networkmay differ between City and Eskom supply areas. Furthermore the processof authorisation will be different.For more information on the application processes: City of Cape TownCustomers: https://www.capetown.gov.za/solarPV for options and andhttp://www.capetown.gov.za/elecserviceforms for application forms anddocuments.Eskom customers: bedded-generators/NOTE:If your property is in the City’s licensed area of supply, you will require written permission from the City’sElectricity Generation and Distribution Department prior to installing your system, irrespective of the typeof system. If you install a grid-tied system without the City’s permission, you are doing so illegally. To gridtie and feed-in, you will require a specialised meter and you will be placed on a new tariff. To grid tie withreverse power flow blocking, you must have a prepayment meter and will remain on your existing tariff.For details on how to grid tie and register your grid-tied or offgrid system for authorisation, consult theCity’s Requirements for Small Scale Embedded Generation at:www.capetown.gov.za/ElecServiceForms, under ‘Document downloads’.Off-grid (Standalone) solar PV installations must also follow the application process and you will have toverify that the system is in fact off-grid.Grid-tied hybrid PV installations must make use of an external automatic change-over switch betweengrid supply and storage supply. For more details on the specifications, consult the City’s RequirementsDocument for Small-Scale Embedded Generation.SSEG customers are required to be net consumers and import (purchase) more electricity than theyexport (feed-in to the network) over a rolling 12-month period, however the City is currently investigatingrelaxing this restriction.Photo credit: Bruce Sutherland, City of Cape Town.Grid-tied PV system at Black River Park.

3. CHECKLISTS FOR SAFE AND LEGALROOFTOP SOLAR PV INSTALLATIONS3.1. ENSURING A QUALITY INSTALLATION SERVICEThere are many PV service providers currently operating in Cape Town. This checklistmay assist you with reducing the risk of a poor or illegal installation. BUSINESS PERFORMANCE Verify if the PV service provider has substantial priorexperience in PV installations and ask for referenceswith contact details. Establish whether the PVservice provider designed, supplied and installedthe systems or only carried out one or two of thesesteps. It is recommended that the PV service provider isan accredited service provider under a third partyquality assurance programme such as:- PV Green Card: A South African PhotovoltaicIndustry Association (SAPVIA) endorsedprogramme to ensure the quality and safety of PVinstallations. www.pvgreencard.co.za- P4 Platform quality assurance program: Anindependent system that scores contractors onperformance, knowledge and best practice topromote good practice in the PV ram Also request to see proof of electrical Certificatesof Compliance (CoCs) and/or professional engineersign offs of previous installations. Ask for proof ofprevious installations that have been authorised bythe City of Cape Town. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS ARE VERY IMPORTANT Find out if the PV service provider employs orsubcontracts qualified staff to design andinstall systems. Your installation may not exceed1000 volts DC in terms of NRS 097-2-1: 2017 Ed2.1.The system’s design and installation can be doneby a person deemed competent as an electricalcontractor by the Department of Labour andEmployment (DoLE). Ask for proof of registration(also called a wireman’s licence and DoLEregistration), and check that it is up-to-date.This registration is critical because it means that: - the electrician is proficient in the national wiringcode SANS 10142-1 latest publication (currently2021 Ed 3.1)’, and can install your PV systemsafely.- the electrician is permitted to issue a CoC for theinstallation, which will confirm that the installationhas been performed in compliance with thenational wiring codes. If you are planning to install a grid-tied system,the City also requires that your grid-tied systemis signed off by an Engineering Council of SouthAfrica (ECSA) registered professional. Check thatthe PV service provider has such a person available. REGISTRATION WITH SAPVIA AND WITH THEELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS BOARD (ECB) Find out if your PV service provider is a member ofSAPVIA and the ECB. Although SAPVIA and ECBmembership is not compulsory, it should be a goodindication how committed the service provider istowards keeping abreast of industry best practiceand complying with legislative requirements andstandards in the PV and broader electrical sectors.