Safe and Legal Installations of

Rooftop Photovoltaic Systems

Andrew Janisch

Commercial EE Forum

2016/03/16

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Why an information brochure?

• Concern for the safety of households and businesses

• Concern for the safety of staff working on the reticulation network

• Concern for the power quality of the electricity network

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Why an information brochure?

Easy to understand starting point for the process of installing PV in Cape Town –

CCT’s detailed full Requirements document the next step

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Why an information brochure?

• Enables you to make an informed decision about the PV configuration you are allowed to install in Cape Town

• Helps you to select the right service provider

• Assists you to ensure that you have met all key requirements before, during and after your PV installation

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Is it legal to install a PV system in SA?

YES

• SANS 10142 – the national wiring code

accommodates for DC installations up to 1500V –

most PV installations are below this level

• Electricians, licensed by the Dept of Labour to issue

Certificates of Compliance (CoCs) can sign off on

these installations

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But there are some problems….

• Electricians typically not are used to DC wiring and

PV installations

• There is currently no national PV installation

standard

• There is currently no nationally accredited PV

installation training course for electricians

So you need to make sure that your service provider is

competent

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Is it legal to install a grid tied PV system in Cape Town?

There are some requirements….

• Connecting to the grid legally requires an application in writing to the distributer

• The distributer has to assess whether they can accommodate the proposed installation on the grid. If so, confirmation in writing is provided to the applicant

• CCT requires signoff from a Professional Engineer in the absence of national installation standards and PV installer accreditation. Only then is connection to the grid allowed

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City of Cape Town and Eskom distribution areas

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CCT area - Yes Eskom area - No

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CCT area - Yes Eskom area - No

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CCT area - Yes Eskom area - Yes

Ensuring a quality installation service

• Check prior business performance

– References

– CoC’s / PrEng sign offs

• Is there a qualified electrician to issue a CoC?

• Additionally, for grid tied systems is there a

professional electrical engineer or technologist to

sign off the system?

• Though not compulsory, registration with SAPVIA

and the Electrical Contactors Board is an indication

of commitment to keeping abreast of industry best

practice

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Before approving the design and purchasing a system

• Become more electricity efficient

• Obtain written approval from the City

• Obtain a structural assessment of your roof

• Generally you are not required to submit building plans unless

– PV system 600mm above roof height

– Raised 1.5m above any point on the roof

– If ground mounted, higher than 2.1m

• Buy a city approved inverter

• Ensure PV panels meet IEC standards

• If using batteries, store them safely according to OHSACT

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During installation

• Ensure electrician who issues CoC carries out or

supervises the work

• Don’t connect to the grid without written permission

from the City

• Allow for adequate access on roof for cleaning,

and also the fire department

• Ensure specialised DC circuit breakers are being

used

• Ensure workers have working at height training

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Post installation

• Request CoC – if not you are liable!

• Check for roof leaks

• Ensure you have warrantees, manuals and

maintenance requirements in hand

• If unsatisfied, request an assessment of the work by

an accredited inspection authority

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Way forward

• Brochure, like SSEG requirements, a living document

– will be updated as the landscape changes

• Expected changes in next few years

– Relaxing of Pr Eng requirements once national

standards and installer qualifications in place

– Bi-directional prepayment meters

– NERSA regulatory framework adjustments

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Info on the Electricity website

On this webpage:

www.capetown.gov.za/ElecServiceForms the following inter alia can be found:

• The Safe and Legal PV installation brochure

• The Requirements for Embedded Generation

• Boundaries of the City’s three electricity distribution areas and licensed area

of supply

• A list of inverters approved by the City

• Application forms for Embedded generation and for New or Modified Service

Connections

• The Supplemental Contract for Embedded generation

• Electricity tariffs