Small businesses now have until 30 September 2026 to register their rooftop solar systems, after Eskom extended the previous March 31 deadline. The extension gives solar owners more time to complete the registration process and take advantage of waived administrative and smart meter fees, which can save thousands of rand for smaller systems.
Many SMEs have installed rooftop solar to reduce electricity bills and protect operations from load-shedding. But new registration requirements from Eskom and municipalities mean businesses must register their systems as small-scale embedded generators (SSEGs) before the deadline to benefit from fee exemptions and avoid future costs.
Eskom is currently waiving administrative and smart meter fees for registered customers, a saving estimated at R9,000. Yet confusion over the rules and registration processes has slowed uptake across the country, leaving many small business owners uncertain about compliance.
SMEs unhappy with solar registration rules
Small business owners are feeling squeezed as rooftop solar registration deadlines approach. Many say the process is confusing, costly, and unfair, especially when they do not feed power back into the grid.
“One moment we are encouraged to invest in solar, and the next we are expected to register and potentially pay additional fees for systems we have already installed,” said Khensani Baloyi, a Philip Nel salon owner. “For small businesses, every cost matters, and this adds pressure to already tight budgets.”
“We installed solar because we needed reliable power, especially in a busy student area, not because we wanted to give Eskom extra money. Load-shedding used to make it hard to keep the business running, and now we have to deal with paperwork and fees just to comply. It’s frustrating, we are running a business, not a charity for the utility,” said Given Khosa, owner of a printing and ice cream business in Pretoria West.
Danville resident Thabiso Morare argued that prepaid users already pay for electricity.
“And now we are being asked to pay again for using our own solar. It feels like a cash grab. We got solar because of unreliable supply and rising electricity costs. Why should we be punished for making the smart choice?” Morare said, questioning the reasoning for the process.
Regulatory confusion weighs on SMEs
Civil action group Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) says low registration uptake is not due to resistance from businesses, but rather overlapping and inconsistent rules from Eskom and some municipalities.
“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 and compliant in terms of national legislation,” said OUTA CEO Wayne Duvenage.
Energy analyst Chris Yelland added that whether utilities can enforce registration for systems that do not feed electricity back into the grid is still debated, leaving SMEs unsure how to comply without overpaying.
How businesses can avoid solar fines and penalties
Despite registration concerns, rooftop solar remains a practical solution for SMEs. However, businesses using solar systems must ensure they comply with registration and safety requirements to avoid fines or penalties.
Businesses can avoid penalties by ensuring their systems are properly installed, compliant, and registered where required. This includes applying for Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) registration through Eskom or the relevant municipality and submitting the required documentation, including a valid Certificate of Compliance (CoC) issued by a registered electrician.
Systems that export electricity back to the grid must be registered. Systems that only use solar power on-site and do not export electricity may not need to register, but they must still meet all safety and technical standards.
With the solar registration deadline approaching, small businesses are encouraged to ensure their systems are compliant, properly documented, and registered where required to avoid penalties and continue operating without disruption.
