Going solar
14 September 2026
Homes or businesses that have onsite renewable energy generation will benefit from lower electricity costs and contribute to a more secure and sustainable future for Cape Town.
Safer, faster solar PV approval
You can now apply for authorisation of your solar PV or battery system online using the new Energy Services Applications platform on e-Services.
Applying online will improve the process of obtaining authorisation for SSEG installations by:
- significantly reducing turnaround times,
- providing greater transparency, and
- automating the issuing of Permission to Install (PTI) letters for certain application types.
Please note
Since 1 October 2023, all new solar PV and/or battery system applications are being treated as grid-tied systems in an effort to make SSEG approvals faster and safer. This means that all systems must use City-approved inverters, have professional sign-off and be authorised before switching on.
Many systems using non-approved inverters are not correctly wired. These pose risks to the safety and integrity of the network. We will no longer be accepting applications for standby and off-grid systems.
Systems that have already been authorised will remain valid, and pre-October 2023 applications for standby/off-grid systems will still be processed, but priority will be given to grid-tied systems using City-approved inverters.
The following do not require authorisation:
- Solar Water Heaters (thermal)
- Solar security/garden lights
- Portable UPS trolley inverters (that you plug into the wall socket)