Do I need to register my solar system in Cape Town?
A plain-language guide to SSEG registration with the City of Cape Town: which systems need it, what the City asks for, and how the process works.
If you have, or are planning, a solar or battery backup system connected to your home's wiring, the City of Cape Town requires it to be registered and authorised. The City calls these systems Small-Scale Embedded Generation, or SSEG.
Which systems need to be registered?
The City's position is that all on-grid systems need to be registered and authorised. That includes:
- Rooftop solar PV systems connected to your home's wiring
- Hybrid inverter systems with solar panels and batteries
- Battery-only backup systems wired into your DB, even with no solar panels
A portable "trolley" inverter that simply plugs into a wall socket, and a solar water heater (solar geyser), are generally not treated as SSEG. If a trolley inverter is wired into the DB, it does need to be registered.
What the City asks for
Since 1 October 2023 the City only authorises standard grid-tied and grid-tied hybrid systems. In practice that means:
- A City-approved inverter. The City publishes a list of approved inverters. A non-approved inverter will hold up or block your application.
- Professional sign-off. The installation must be signed off by an ECSA-registered professional.
- An electrical Certificate of Compliance for the installation.
- A bi-directional meter if you want to feed excess power back into the grid.
How do you apply?
Applications are made online through the Energy Services section of the City's e-Services portal. The City does not charge to register, although installers may charge for preparing and submitting the paperwork. Make sure your quote says clearly what is included.
Why it matters
- Safety. Incorrectly wired systems can feed power back onto the network and endanger municipal workers.
- Selling your home. An unregistered system can cause delays when you sell.
- Insurance. Insurers may ask for proof that the installation is compliant.
How we help
When we quote a solar or inverter system we use inverters from the City's approved list and include what is needed for registration in the quote. If you have an existing system that was never registered, send us a photo of your inverter and DB and we will tell you what is needed.
See our solar and inverter backup installs.
Need help with this?
Joha Oosthuizen is a registered electrical contractor (WC 04004) working across Cape Town. Free quotes.
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change, so check with us or the relevant authority before you go ahead.