South Africa’s power utility Eskom has announced a simplified registration process for photovoltaic (PV) systems operating under the Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) scheme.

According to Eskom, the key change—finalised last month and effective from 1 October 2025—allows residential customers to have their systems certified by a Department of Labour (DoL)–registered person (excluding single-phase testers). An Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA)-registered professional is no longer required for sign-off.

“This update follows a review of compliance and safety requirements, as well as a stringent due diligence process, in anticipation of forthcoming changes from the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS),” the company said in a statement.

By registering their SSEG systems, customers not only comply with regulatory obligations but can also sell surplus power to Eskom through net billing, store excess energy within the utility framework, and lower their electricity bills through self-generation.

Eskom emphasized the importance of compliance: “We encourage customers to come forward and register their systems to meet NERSA’s legal requirements. Registration ensures compliance and safety while positioning customers to benefit from future programs that reward clean energy generation.”

The utility began urging South Africans to register their Small-Scale Embedded Generators earlier this year and has reminded residential customers with unregistered systems of up to 50 kW—typically between 5 kW and 10 kW for households—that they can qualify for an exemption from registration-related fees until March 2026.

Eskom also clarified that off-grid generators operating independently of its network do not need to register, but must provide proof of complete disconnection from the utility’s supply.