New solar customers will be forced to convert to post-paid accounts and a install a two-way smart meter monitored by City Power.
City Power has called on residents to follow their solar installation procedures amid criticism of exorbitant fees and possible disconnection.
City Power claimed this was not the case but stated that compliance with their by-laws is mandatory and that all solar installations must be declared and approved.
R30,000 application fee
All installations of photovoltaic systems are now subject to a small-scale embedded generation (SSEG) application to be made through City Power.
The move is aimed at safety and “fostering a sustainable energy future” with City Power telling The Citizen that a commitment to turnaround times on applications was an “ongoing process”.
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Applications are subject to a fee determined on a sliding scale based on the megavolt ampere (MVA).
The lowest threshold is 0 to 1MVA and comes with a R30,000 excluding VAT application fee.
As per Daelim Electric, 1 MVA generator can be used to power data centres, factories, windfarms and other industrial-scale operations, suggesting all residential homes would fall under the first threshold.
City Power solar application fees are based on maximum export capacity. Picture: City Power
Network service charges applicable
New solar installations will also be forced onto post-paid accounts, making solar users subject to network service fees and smart meter access.
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“To facilitate the measurement of both electricity import and export, a smart/bi-directional meter will be installed at the customer’s expense,” stated City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena.
Step on how to apply for solar through City Power:
- Residents must complete an Electricity Supply application form through the municipality, which will give them a notification number linking them to City Power’s SSEG department.
- Residents must then submit their solar application form to [email protected]
- City Power will arrange a site inspection and once complete, the resident will be added to the City Power’s database.
- Installation will be conducted, followed by testing and commissioning.
- Residents must then submit their Certificate of Compliance (CoC) as well as their PV Commissioning Form to City Power.
- City Power will verify those documents before issuing a pre-approval letter, followed by a final approval letter.
Documents needed for application
City Power outlined the key documents needed for the solar application:
- A fully completed Electricity Supply Form
- A Single Line Diagram
- Inverter Datasheet
- Inverter NRS Certificate
- Design/Drawings
- Site Plan/Layout
- Maintenance Procedure
- PV Commissioning Form
- Certificate of Compliance
- For systems exceeding 350kVA, a Grid Impact Study is mandatory and must receive approval from the Planning Evaluation Committee (PEC).
The GIS is to ensure efficiency and safe integration into the existing rid.
Should the customer wish to backfeed, City Power will advise on this at the site inspection phase of the application.
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