Ensuring Safe and Efficient Solar PV Systems with City’s List of Approved Inverters

The demand for safe and efficient solar systems is increasing as renewable energy gains traction. To address this need, the City has compiled a list of approved inverters that undergo thorough safety and legality checks. This article discusses the importance of approved inverters and how the City is expediting the application process for customers and installers.

The Significance of Approved Inverters

City Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, Councillor Beverley van Reenen, stresses that legal and safe small-scale embedded power systems reduce sub-standard, wrongly wired solar PV inverters, batteries, and meters on the grid. These unsafe systems can lead to extended power outages in neighborhoods when the power resumes after load-shedding. Moreover, they can increase the risk of fires or electrocution for building occupants and electrical grid teams.

Councillor van Reenen further explains that City-approved inverters allow quicker turnaround time for applications. Starting October 2023, all systems will necessitate a City-approved inverter and professional sign-off.

National Legislation and Regulations

It is crucial to note that national legislation and regulations require the authorization of all power-generating systems linked to the electricity supply. Adherence to these authorization requirements is essential, and the City continues to refine processes for the benefit of customers.

The City has authorized over 5,700 grid- and off-grid systems to date, with a significant surge in solar PV applications due to the worsening Eskom load-shedding situation.

City’s Efforts to Expedite the Application Process

To simplify the application process for solar PV systems, the City has introduced new measures:

1. Starting October 2023, all Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) systems must have a City-approved inverter and professional sign-off. Currently, many systems with non-approved inverters are not wired correctly, posing safety and network integrity risks. Streamlining the wiring configurations speeds up the process. It’s important to note that this rule applies to solar PV and battery systems connected to the building’s wiring, not backup inverters that snap into wall sockets as those are considered electrical appliances.

2. Grid-tied installations will take priority as these submissions are faster to approve.

3. The City is developing an online application process to enhance customer experience further. Customers can refer to a checklist to guide them through the process.

For the list of approved inverters, refer to the link provided.

The City’s measures to ensure safe and legal solar PV systems, along with the list of approved inverters, promote renewable energy sources while safeguarding communities’ safety. These measures also simplify the application process, enabling customers and installers to adopt solar energy solutions more easily.