The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) and City Power have begun high-level engagements aimed at unblocking stalled solar registrations and stabilising the distributed energy landscape in Johannesburg.
According to a statement, the talks, which started on 16 February, are centred on resolving the backlog of small-scale embedded generation (SSEG) applications and creating a regulatory environment that supports growth while maintaining grid integrity.
SSEG applications refer to the formal approval process required for customers who install small electricity generation systems − typically rooftop solar PV − connected to the municipal electricity grid.
These applications are submitted to utilities or municipalities to ensure the system meets technical, safety and regulatory standards, allowing safe grid connection, proper metering and compliance with local electricity bylaw.
The engagement brings together industry and municipal stakeholders to address technical bottlenecks and policy uncertainty that have slowed solar adoption.
A central issue under discussion is the backlog of “legacy” SSEG applications submitted between 2022 and August 2025.
SAPVIA advocates for a transitional framework to assess these applications fairly, noting that many systems were installed under earlier approval conditions. The association maintains that consistent administrative treatment is essential to restoring trust and encouraging compliance among solar users.
“Regulatory certainty is the fuel for voluntary compliance. By clearing the SSEG registration backlog, we’re removing the roadblocks to a sustainable city and ensuring no solar pioneer is left in administrative limbo,” says Dr Patrick Narbel, chairperson of the SAPVIA residential PV working group.
While City Power acknowledged the proposal, both sides agree further engagement is needed to finalise a workable solution. Clearing the backlog is widely seen as a prerequisite for accelerating formal registration and improving oversight of distributed generation systems.
The discussions also turned to inefficiencies in the current registration process. Both parties recognise that manual submissions and administrative complexity are limiting scalability and discouraging participation.
SAPVIA pointed to digital registration models, including those implemented by the City of Cape Town, as benchmarks for improving turnaround times and reducing friction.
“It’s time to move from manual hurdles to digital solutions. Streamlining the registration process isn't just about paperwork, it’s about accelerating Johannesburg’s journey to energy independence,” noted Narbel.
Tariff structures emerged amid another contentious issue – the mandatory shift of SSEG customers from prepaid to postpaid billing.
Industry stakeholders argue that the sharp increase in monthly costs − from around R230 on prepaid to between R1 070 and R1 360 on postpaid − has triggered public resistance and discouraged formal registration.
Speaking on the urgency of the situation, Sim Khuluse, technical and policy manager at SAPVIA, says: “We must ensure the transition to a greener grid does not become a financial burden that punishes early adopters. Our goal is to work with utilities and municipalities to find a middle ground where the grid remains viable, but the consumer is not alienated by sudden, steep tariff hikes.”
According to SAPVIA, these concerns are now being considered, with alternatives under discussion.
These include retaining prepaid options for non-exporting users and introducing cost-reflective prepaid tariffs tailored to solar households.
Looking ahead, SAPVIA says it has proposed establishing a formal platform for ongoing technical collaboration with the City of Johannesburg.
Update: City Power responds
Following the publication of this article, City Power requested a ‘right of reply’, issuing a statement from Isaac Mangena, general manager of the Department of Public Relations and Communication at City Power. It states:
City Power notes the article published by ITWeb titled “Stakeholders mull action to unblock solar registrations” dated 20 April, and would like to provide clarity on several matters raised.
City Power would like to emphasise that there is no backlog on its side with respect to the registration of Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) systems. The backlog lies on the installer side, where submissions have not complied with the terms and conditions of the regulations or where installations do not meet the required technical and regulatory standards. These applications cannot be approved until all requirements are met, in line with national regulations and safety protocols.
The requirements in place are not arbitrary but form part of standard technical and regulatory due diligence, aligned with national frameworks and NERSA requirements. These measures are critical to ensure the safe and compliant integration of solar PV systems into the municipal grid, and to protect both customers and infrastructure.
City Power has already made significant progress in registering customers who have submitted compliant applications. To date, 693 commercial and 586 residential customers have been successfully registered. The entity continues to streamline its internal processes to improve efficiency and turnaround times.
It is also important to note that all customers with solar PV systems connected to the City Power grid are required to register their systems, regardless of size or capacity. This enables proper assessment, ensures compliance with safety standards, and allows for effective management of energy generation across the network.
It is also worth noting that City Power met with SAPVIA in February 2026 and continues to engage with them in a collaborative effort to ensure the safety and compliance of Solar PV systems.
Another issue which was raised in the article is the matter of the mandatory shift of SSEG customers from prepaid to postpaid billing. At present, City Power’s tariff structure requires SSEG customers to be on postpaid metering. This is necessary to enable accurate measurement of both imported and exported energy, in line with NERSA requirements for smart (bi-directional) metering. The requirement for a smart meter is technical and non-negotiable for grid-tied and hybrid systems, as it ensures accurate measurement of energy flows in both directions.
City Power is exploring the implementation of a digital platform to enhance and streamline the SSEG registration process. However, timelines for implementation are not yet confirmed and will be communicated once finalised.
City Power remains committed to supporting the adoption of renewable energy in Johannesburg, while ensuring the stability, safety, and sustainability of the electricity network for all customers.
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