Cities to track illegal roof-top solar

Systems must be registered with municipalities or Eskom

- THAMI MAGUBANE

KWAZULU-Natal municipalities are set to use technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and satellite data to locate homes that have illegal solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

According to National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) regulations, Eskom direct customers who have Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) systems, including solar photovoltaic (PV) installation systems, must register the system with Eskom.

Owners of these systems in areas with municipal electricity supply are required by NERSA to register these systems with their local municipality.

The eThekwini Municipality has warned that, in the future, it will deploy AI, combined with other resources, as it clamps down on illegal installations.

This comes as energy experts have warned that failure to file proper paperwork could lead to homes that have installed solar systems being fined or having their systems disconnected. At least three municipalities have warned residents in the province to ensure they have legally complied with regulations around solar panel installations.

Rein Snoeck Henkemans, CEO of Alumo Energy, in a recent statement said that Eskom and municipalities have begun using satellite technology to track unregistered rooftop solar systems, and thousands of households could be in violation without even knowing it. Even legally purchased and professionally installed solar setups are now at risk of being disconnected or fined if the correct paperwork isn't in place, he said.