Threats against households to register their solar installations by Eskom and some municipalities are “impractical, irrational and unfair”, says the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA).
Don’t rush to register your systems, OUTA adds, because of “uncertainty and ambiguity” outlined in the “significant amendments to earlier supposed requirements and deadlines by the authorities”.
In other words, don’t panic.
Being a homeowner with a career-saving solar system that let my family and me work (and live) through the dark days of #loadshitting, I have been watching this ongoing cluster-flunk with interest for years.
There has been a surge in queries to OUTA over “threatening communications from Eskom and certain municipalities, including the City of Johannesburg, demanding registration or prior approval” for installations under 100kW, which do not feed electricity back into the grid.
This has “created unnecessary uncertainty, confusion and anxiety,” the group added.
OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage said on Tuesday: “What is at stake here, are the rights of citizens who have gone to significant personal expense to protect themselves against years of escalating electricity prices and an unreliable power supply.”
“People have installed gas appliances, solar power systems, generators, inverters and other alternatives, in direct response to Eskom and government’s calls – as well as incentives – to reduce electricity demand.”
OUTA points out that all houses or buildings require a valid Certificate of Compliance (CoC) from a registered and qualified electrician.
“In terms of the Occupational Health & Safety Act, the Electrical Installation Regulations, and the mandatory national standard SANS 10142-1, a residential electrical installation, including solar PV electrical must have a valid CoC issued by a duly qualified and accredited installation electrician or electrical contractor that is registered with the Department of Labour & Employment,” before the system is commissioned.
“OUTA’s position is clear,” says Duvenage. “What a homeowner does behind the meter on their own property – to reduce reliance on an unstable and expensive electricity supplier – is of no real business to the supplier, provided the installation is safe, compliant in terms of national legislation, and the customer continues to pay for electricity in line with their contract with the distributor.”
“This means that if your solar installation has a valid CoC, which addresses the safety concerns that are often cited by Eskom and municipalities, you are doing what is required of you.”
The rights group believe recent “intimidating letters and public announcements” to register or obtain permission for solar system installations amount to “coercive tactics designed to create fear and panic and to force unwarranted so called “compliance” requirements.”
It has since noticed a “toning down of Eskom’s stance of disconnections and fines,” it continued.
The short answer is the “authorities” haven’t thought it through, and have dialled back the requirements and moved the deadlines. Talk about “uncertainty and ambiguity”.
