How do I register a solar system with the City of Tshwane?

Submit an SSEG pre-application to the City of Tshwane's Electricity and Energy department through the municipal portal at tshwane.gov.za or at a Tshwane Customer Care Centre. Required for pre-application: proposed system size, inverter specification with NRS 097 type-test certificate, single-line electrical diagram, site plan, and installer DoL registration number. Tshwane reviews the application, assesses network capacity, and issues pre-approval. After installation and CoC issuance, submit as-built documents for final approval and bidirectional meter installation.

What is the solar export limit for Tshwane customers?

Tshwane's standard residential export limit is 10 kVA for single-phase customers and up to 25 kVA for three-phase customers. In areas with constrained feeders or high solar penetration, Tshwane may specify a lower export limit in the SSEG approval. The approved export limit is documented in the SSEG connection agreement. An export limiter configured in the inverter is required where a specific export limit applies.

Does the City of Tshwane offer net metering for solar customers?

The City of Tshwane operates a net metering arrangement for SSEG customers, crediting surplus solar export at the municipality's avoided cost rate. The credit is applied against your monthly electricity account and carries forward. Tshwane installs a bidirectional meter after SSEG approval. The export credit rate is below retail tariff — design systems to maximise self-consumption for the best financial return.

Does Tshwane require pre-approval before installing solar?

Yes. The City of Tshwane requires SSEG pre-approval before installation begins. Installing without pre-approval is a breach of the network connection terms. Pre-approval confirms the proposed system size is acceptable, the inverter is accepted, and the local network can accommodate the system. Tshwane has been active in enforcing this requirement — do not install before receiving written pre-approval.

How long does Tshwane SSEG registration take?

The City of Tshwane targets 30 working days to process a complete residential SSEG application. Applications involving non-standard inverters or systems in constrained network areas may take longer. Submitting a complete, correctly formatted application package through the portal reduces delays.

City of Tshwane SSEG Solar Registration Guide 2026

How to register rooftop solar with the City of Tshwane (Pretoria): SSEG pre-approval process, required documents, NRS 097 inverter requirements.

Written by

Nirav Dhanani

Co-Founder · SurgePV

Reviewed by

Rainer Neumann

Content Head · SurgePV

Published Apr 25, 2026 ·Last reviewed Apr 25, 2026 ·Regulator: City of Tshwane — Electricity

The City of Tshwane serves the Pretoria metropolitan area — South Africa’s administrative capital and one of the country’s most active markets for commercial and government solar installations. Tshwane’s SSEG framework follows the NRS 097-2-1 technical baseline and requires a pre-application and as-built submission process before grid connection.

Network Operator

City of Tshwane — Electricity and Energy

Service Area

Pretoria, Centurion, Soshanguve, Atteridgeville, Mamelodi, and surrounding Tshwane metropolitan area

Technical Standard

NRS 097-2-1:2024

Residential Export Limit

Up to 10 kVA (single-phase); up to 25 kVA (three-phase)

Net Metering

Yes — avoided cost rate credit on electricity account

Target Processing Time

30 working days for complete applications

Last Updated

April 2026

Pre-Approval Is Strictly Enforced in Tshwane

Tshwane has been active in enforcing its pre-approval requirement. Systems installed without pre-approval are subject to disconnection. Unlike some other municipalities where enforcement has been inconsistent, Tshwane Electricity inspectors actively identify unregistered systems during routine meter reading and maintenance activities.

Tshwane SSEG Document Requirements

Document	Pre-Application	As-Built
SSEG pre-application form	Required	—
Inverter specification + NRS 097 cert	Required	—
Proposed single-line diagram	Required	—
Site plan	Required	—
Installer DoL registration	Required	—
Certificate of Compliance	—	Required
As-built single-line diagram	—	Required
Commissioning report	—	Required
System specification sheet	—	Required

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the City of Tshwane have a large customer SSEG process for commercial systems? Yes. Commercial systems above 25 kVA have a separate SSEG track with Tshwane Electricity’s large customer desk. Commercial applications typically require a professional engineer’s involvement in the design documentation and may require a network impact study depending on size and location.

Can I add a battery to an existing approved Tshwane SSEG system? Yes, but you must notify Tshwane and submit an amended SSEG application before adding the battery. Battery storage changes the operating profile of the system and requires updated commissioning documentation. Adding storage without notifying Tshwane is a breach of the SSEG connection agreement.

View the South Africa compliance overview, the Eskom SSEG guide, and the NRS 097-2-1 standard guide. Use solar design software for Tshwane SSEG documentation.