Eskom requires formal SSEG registration for every grid-tied solar system on its network. The registration process exists for a technical reason: Eskom needs to know what protection settings your inverter has, how much generation capacity is connected to each feeder, and whether your system meets NRS 097-2-1:2024 standards before it allows your system to interact with its grid. An unregistered system creates a grid protection risk — and Eskom will disconnect it.
This guide walks through every step of the Eskom SSEG process: from the pre-application through to the signed connection agreement and final energisation.
Do Not Energise Without Written Approval
Connecting a solar system to Eskom’s grid before receiving written SSEG approval is a breach of your supply agreement. Eskom’s enforcement teams can identify connected but unregistered systems through meter data analysis and will issue disconnection notices. The reconnection process after an enforcement disconnection is significantly more complex than the standard registration.
Who Needs Eskom SSEG Registration
Eskom SSEG registration applies to customers who are directly supplied by Eskom — not customers whose electricity is supplied by a municipality. If your electricity bill comes from Eskom, you register with Eskom. If your electricity bill comes from a municipality (City of Cape Town, City Power Johannesburg, eThekwini, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane, etc.), you register with that municipality instead.
Eskom directly supplies approximately 4.5 million customers, primarily:
- Rural and peri-urban residential customers
- Large commercial and industrial customers with direct Eskom supply
- Farms and agricultural operations on Eskom feeders
The SSEG process applies to all grid-tied systems regardless of size, including systems with zero-export configuration. Even a non-exporting system must be notified to Eskom.
Required Documents
| Document | Who Prepares It | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SSEG notification / application form | Installer (download from Eskom website) | Complete all sections — no blank fields |
| Inverter specification sheet | Manufacturer | Include model number, rated output (kVA), protection settings |
| NRS 097 type-test certificate | Manufacturer | Must show compliance with NRS 097-2-1 — not just IEC 62109 |
| Proposed single-line electrical diagram | Registered electrical contractor or engineer | Show PV array, DC isolator, inverter, AC isolator, meter |
| Site plan | Installer | Show roof, PV array location, inverter position, cable routes |
| Proof of ownership or landlord consent | Property owner | Title deed extract or signed consent letter from landlord |
| Commissioned inverter settings report | Installer | Completed after installation, not required for pre-application |
| Certificate of Compliance (CoC) | Registered electrical contractor | Issued after installation — required for final approval |
Inverter Acceptance Process
Eskom maintains an approved inverter list based on NRS 097-2-1:2024 compliance testing. Before purchasing an inverter for an Eskom-supplied customer, verify the model is on the accepted list.
If the inverter is not on the list:
- Contact Eskom Distribution technical team with the manufacturer’s NRS 097 type-test certificate
- Eskom technical staff review the test certificate and protection parameters
- Eskom either accepts the inverter or requests additional documentation
- This review process typically adds 15–30 working days to the application
The NRS 097 type-test must specifically demonstrate:
- Under/over frequency protection (trip thresholds and clearing times per NRS 097)
- Under/over voltage protection
- Anti-islanding protection (passive and active methods)
- Power factor and reactive power capability
Protection Settings
Eskom’s application of NRS 097-2-1:2024 requires the following commissioning settings. These values are the current NRS 097 standard settings — verify against the latest NRS 097 document for any updates:
| Parameter | Setting | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Over frequency trip | 51.5 Hz | 10-cycle clearing time |
| Under frequency trip | 47.5 Hz | 10-cycle clearing time |
| Over voltage trip | 110% of nominal | |
| Under voltage trip | 80% of nominal | |
| Anti-islanding | Required | Must use active and passive detection |
| Power factor | Between 0.9 lag and 0.9 lead at full output |
Commission the inverter to these settings — do not use the factory default frequency range (which is often 47–53 Hz for export markets, which is non-compliant with NRS 097).
Net Metering vs Feed-In Tariff
Eskom’s standard residential SSEG arrangement is net metering. Under net metering:
- Your solar generation offsets your consumption in real time
- If your system generates more than you consume, surplus is exported to the grid
- Exported energy is credited at Eskom’s avoided cost rate — not retail rate
- The net difference is billed on your normal Eskom tariff
Eskom does not currently offer a residential feed-in tariff at retail rate. The credit for excess export is modest — typically well below retail rate. System sizing for Eskom customers should target consumption offset rather than export revenue.
Common Rejection Reasons
| Rejection Reason | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|
| Inverter not on accepted list | Check Eskom accepted list before ordering |
| Protection settings not to NRS 097 | Commission explicitly to NRS 097 parameters |
| Incomplete single-line diagram | Include all isolation points, meter, and earthing |
| Missing type-test certificate | Obtain from manufacturer before submitting |
| System size exceeds network capacity | Request a network capacity check from Eskom before designing |
| CoC signed by unregistered contractor | Verify contractor’s DoL registration before appointing |
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After Registration: Ongoing Obligations
SSEG registration is not a one-time event. Your ongoing obligations under the Eskom connection agreement include:
- Maintain NRS 097 compliance — inverter settings must remain correctly configured; do not override protection settings
- Notify Eskom of system changes — increasing capacity, adding batteries, or replacing the inverter requires a new or amended SSEG application
- Allow Eskom inspection — Eskom has the right to inspect registered SSEG systems; non-compliant systems found during inspection may be disconnected
- Maintain the CoC — the Certificate of Compliance should be renewed if significant changes are made to the installation
Frequently Asked Questions
My system was installed before Eskom started enforcing SSEG registration. What should I do? Submit a retroactive SSEG registration application through the Eskom self-service portal. You will need all the standard documents. If the inverter meets NRS 097 requirements and is correctly configured, Eskom will typically process the application normally. If the inverter does not meet NRS 097 requirements, you may need to replace or upgrade it.
Can my solar installer submit the Eskom SSEG application on my behalf? Yes. The property owner must sign the application, but the installer can compile the documentation and manage the submission process. Ensure the installer provides you with copies of all submitted documents and Eskom’s approval letters.
Does Eskom charge an SSEG application fee? Eskom does not charge a separate SSEG application fee for residential systems. There may be metering-related costs (bidirectional meter installation) depending on your tariff and metering arrangement — confirm with Eskom at application stage.
Can I increase my SSEG capacity after initial registration? Yes, but you must submit an amendment to your SSEG registration before increasing capacity. Additional generation beyond your approved limit is a breach of the connection agreement. Submit the amended application with updated documentation before installing additional panels or a larger inverter.
View all South African compliance guides at solar-compliance/south-africa or use solar design software to produce NRS 097-compliant system documentation.
