The City of Cape Town launched a new online system to make it easier to get approval for installing solar panels.
The platform was launched by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis on Wednesday, 13 March. As per the City, more than 5 000 solar PV systems have been authorised to date, totalling 126MVW.
Also read: Cape Town introduces Cash for Power to earn money from solar energy
‘We pledged to remove obstacles to solar power investment and to make more of our services digitally available, and that’s exactly what we’ve done,’ Hill-Lewis said.
‘Capetonians can now get a much faster turnaround on permission to install a solar PV system. With the City’s new online Energy Services Applications platform you can apply, track your status, and get approval in a shorter timeframe.’
‘Incentivising widespread take-up of safe, grid-tied solar PV is a key part of Cape Town’s plans to lessen Eskom reliance and end load-shedding over time.’
‘The City is looking to buy as much excess solar power as residents and businesses are willing to sell via the Cash for Power programme, under which Capetonians can earn municipal bill credits and cash.’
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According to the City, approving solar PV systems is essential for safety, as unauthorised systems can cause fires and power outages, posing risks to residents and workers maintaining the city’s electrical grid.
‘The City has already halved the wait for Permission-to-Install letters by only accepting grid-tied SSEG systems using City-approved inverters, for the safety of our customers, our City teams, private installers and our grid itself,’ Hill-Lewis added.
‘We have also streamlined the process to get inverters onto our City-approved list, making the verification of applications easier and faster.’
‘Now, the new Energy Services Application portal will automate the issuing of Permission to Install Letters for certain types of applications, such as small residential solar PV and battery systems, vastly reducing turnaround times.’
‘The portal is integrated with our extensive City databases to seamlessly link property information and electrical supply data for the vetted service providers signing off the installation.’
If you are an installer, a property owner or a service provider involved in solar PV installations, it’s advised that you register on e-Services and activate ‘Energy Services’ in order to access Energy Service Applications.
Register for e-services here: eservices.capetown.gov.za
You can then apply to authorise your solar PV system via the easy-to-use online portal.
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Also read:
City unveils first solar-fitted homes for Vlakkeland housing project
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