Eskom’s SSEG Registration: What Homeowners Must Know Before Installing Solar Power

As more South African homeowners turn to solar power to combat ever-rising electricity costs, Eskom and local municipalities have responded with increased regulation — particularly the Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) registration requirement. While seemingly administrative, this process comes with hidden fees, surcharges, and mounting pressure to penalize solar adopters.

So the big question arises:

Is it still worth staying connected to the grid… or is going off-grid the smarter choice?

Let’s explore.

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What Is SSEG Registration — and Why Eskom Demands It

SSEG registration is a legal requirement for any homeowner who installs a solar PV system that is connected to the municipal or Eskom grid, even if it’s just for backup or partial self-consumption.

Registration involves:

• Applying to your local municipality or Eskom with your system specs

• Providing CoC (Certificate of Compliance), SLD (single-line diagram), inverter specs, etc.

• Waiting weeks to months for approval

• In some cases, being forced to install grid-tied safety equipment, including:

  • Reverse power blocking

  • Manual isolation switches

  • Municipal inspection fees

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The Hidden Costs: What You’ll Really Pay

While the upfront system costs are often expected, here’s what Eskom and municipalities don’t advertise:

1. SSEG Application & Inspection Fees

These vary by municipality but commonly include:

• Application admin: R500 – R1,500

• Grid compliance inspection: R1,200 – R3,000

• Possible upgrade of connection infrastructure at your cost

2. Monthly Surcharges (“Availability Fees”)

In places like Cape Town and Joburg Metro, solar-connected households may pay:

• R200 – R900 per month, just for the privilege of staying connected

• These fees apply even if you export nothing and pull minimal power

Why? Because Eskom loses revenue when you self-generate power — and they’re shifting the burden to you.

3. Feed-in Tariffs That Don’t Pay Off

Some municipalities let you feed energy back into the grid — but:

• Feed-in rates are low (e.g. ~R0.90/kWh vs Eskom’s R2.50/kWh cost)

• It may take 7–10 years to recover your investment

• You may need an expensive bidirectional meter installed

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The Grid-Tied Trap: You’re Still Paying Eskom

Even if you install solar with the idea of reducing your bill by 70–80%, staying grid-tied means:

• You’re still dependent on the grid (and its failures)

• You’re still liable for price increases, admin charges, and future policy changes

• You can’t fully escape tariff hikes, nor claim full energy independence

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⚡ Why More South Africans Are Going Off-Grid

Off-grid systems — especially with modern lithium batteries and hybrid inverters like SunSynk — now offer reliable, long-term independence from Eskom.

✅ Key Benefits of Going Off-Grid:

• Zero monthly surcharges

• No need to register with Eskom or municipalities

• Full control over your system, usage, and costs

• No back-feeding restrictions or compliance delays

• Enhanced property value — especially for new buyers wanting energy freedom

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Example: Grid-Tied vs Off-Grid Homeowner (5kW System)

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Is Off-Grid Right for You?

Going fully off-grid doesn’t mean you’re taking a risk — with:

• Modern lithium battery banks

• SunSynk hybrid inverters with backup and load balancing

• Proper system design

…you can live completely Eskom-free, while knowing your energy system is smart, scalable, and dependable.

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Volton Solar Can Help You Break Free

At Volton Solar, we don’t believe in half-measures. We believe in building solar systems that:

• Empower homeowners

• Deliver true ROI

• Free you from Eskom’s financial grip

Whether you choose grid-tied, hybrid, or fully off-grid — we’ll guide you to make the most economical, future-proof decision.

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Ready to Make the Switch?

Get a free savings assessment and compare your grid-tied vs off-grid options side-by-side.
Call us or Chat on WhatsApp to get started.

Volton Solar – Own Your Power. Escape the Grid