SSEG - Successful solar applications in CPT ???

[wetkit]

Hi Guys,

I have a bit of a problem with my solar installation.
I have been trying now for 2 years to get it official, but no solar installer I spoke to said they had a successful aplication in the Bloemhof (CPT) district.
This is now Bellville, Parow, Brackenfell, Kuilsrivier...
Is there anybody here that is official in this area?
I would like to contact you regarding the procedures and companies involved.

Seems like the electrical department wants to come and disable my solar devices till the installation is legal according to them

Thanks

 

[itareanlnotani]

If you feed back into the grid, you need SSEG.

(Doesn't currently make sense to go SSEG in Cape Town for various reasons, mainly the extortionate daily charge, and the no way to make a credit..)

Option 1:
So.. don't feed back into the grid. Use all your generated power locally.
Its legal to generate as long as you don't feed back.

If you're single phase, there are locally sold devices that will block feedback to the grid (or more expensive inverters which can be configured not to, eg Victron Multiplus etc).
eg http://www.sustainable.co.za/microcare-grid-tie-limiter-solar-inverter.html

Or if you're already on a prepay meter, that will block feedback to the grid - you won't be feeding back, as the meter will consider it an attack, and shutdown.

Option 2:
Do the SSEG, despite the financial disadvantages to do so.

PM me for a copy of the SSEG application filled in that you can copy / amend for your needs.

 

[wetkit]

@lsheed_cn ,it was also my understanding that if you do not feed back power to the grid, no need to apply for SSEG.
Thing is, any electrical solar device connected to grid power, even if it is only for own consumption must be registred as SSEG

 

[oober]

@lsheed_cn ,it was also my understanding that if you do not feed back power to the grid, no need to apply for SSEG.
Thing is, any electrical solar device connected to grid power, even if it is only for own consumption must be registred as SSEG

Yes same for us here in Jozi. I'm also to fill in some form that was mailed to me but I've not done it so far. I don't want to be charged extra when I'm not even allowed to feed back.

So technically my installation is also illegal.

 

[itareanlnotani]

Option 3:

Tell them to go f. themselves, and secede from the grid.

 

[itareanlnotani]

Existing legislation requires that anyone generating electricity “not for own use” must obtain a generating license from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA)

As you are using yourself, and not selling to the grid, you do not need an SSEG application.

So says NERSA.

This may or may not change come end of May, as new guidelines / recommendations are being released then.

So, for residents elsewhere, unless there are local bylaws, you should be ok.

City of Cape Town bylaws say otherwise though, as they want an SSEG application regardless.

From here - http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/elect...linesforEmbeddedGeneration-V25-2014-09-29.pdf


You can go SSEG without the SSEG tariff - eg Option #1 (no feedback).

Consumers wanting to connect SSEG to the grid without being compensated for reverse power flow will be required to install reverse power flow blocking protection to prevent reverse power flow onto the electricity grid. The consumers may then, subject to the ruling policies for tariffs and metering, keep their existing meter and remain on the relevant electricity consumption tariff. In other words, for this option the conventional credit or prepayment meter is NOT allowed to run backwards.

 

[SilverNodashi]

So if my panels, in my own yard, generate energy, stored in my own batteries, for my own use, it's not illegal?

How does one prove this though?

 

[Haggers12]

Subscribed.

Wetkit, does this mean the axpert unit is preferred to the infini if that is considered illegal without sseg approval?

 

[Arthur]

There are two distinct issues:

1. Legality of operating your own SSEG.

2. Requirements a grid owner might place on those who wish to connect to their grid.

City of Cape Town have developed their own rules for those who fall under their jurisdiction and who wish to connect to their grid.

Whilst it is perfectly legal in a general sense to install and operate your own SSEG for your own sole use, that right cannot trump the municipality's right to set technical requirements and tariffs, especially if you want to remain connected to their network.

Also, there might well be provisions in property title deeds that can be invoked by the local authority, so check those carefully.

 

[Haggers12]

Wetkit, so what you going to do?

 

[wetkit]

Hi Guys,

Just some feedback....

As my invertor is not on the approved list of invertors for CPT, I could not proceed further with the SSEG application.
It took about 6 weeks and many many mails to get the City of Cape Town to back off.
1st I had to submit a COC that clearly states the included solar installation.
They also required a drawing listing all components.
The main requirment was to have a manual change over switch before the invertor. This means the invertor will never be able to run directly from city power
Anyway, all done now.

I would still like to know if there is guys out there with legal installations inside the City of Cape Town.

 

[mmacleod]

Definitely sounds like its best to not tell them about install to begin with...

 

[Arthur]

Definitely sounds like its best to not tell them about install to begin with...

Not recommended. Big poo when they take down the grid for maintenance and find that your inverter didn't island correctly and is still exporting to the grid. If your power comes from solar pv, they'll knock on your door within an hour, and you could find yourself slapped with a huge fine and your equipment impounded. Aerial photos will show them exactly where the panels are.

 

[itareanlnotani]

I found it easier to secede than to jump through the SSEG hoops, even though my equipment is certified, and wired according to spec.
The additional cost charges where it would cost me *more* to feed back, also was a large helping in that direction.

My solution isn't for everyone though. I could afford to spend on what was needed, and I have a very minimal requirement in power terms.

 

[mmacleod]

Not recommended. Big poo when they take down the grid for maintenance and find that your inverter didn't island correctly and is still exporting to the grid. If your power comes from solar pv, they'll knock on your door within an hour, and you could find yourself slapped with a huge fine and your equipment impounded. Aerial photos will show them exactly where the panels are.

Well what I meant was *don't feed back* and *don't tell them about it* as even if you don't feed back they still hassle you about it seemingly. Sorry if it wasn't clear, I definitely wasn't implying that people should feed back without telling anyone.

In my case what I am doing is converting half my house to DC only and using solar for that, so unless the electricity defies physics it won't be going into the grid. When I can afford it I will then at a later date just go off grid entirely - clearly CoCT isn't interested in helping people go solar because that would eat into their convenient giant profits they make.

(Typing this off my now solar powered computer, network and monitor)

 

[oober]

Well what I meant was *don't feed back* and *don't tell them about it* as even if you don't feed back they still hassle you about it seemingly. Sorry if it wasn't clear, I definitely wasn't implying that people should feed back without telling anyone.

Still waiting on NERSA's revised SSEG paper... But generally it seems for people who don't use large amounts of power that is not worth it to feed back to the grid since the extra fees negates the benefit.

In my example where I currently consume about R300 worth of power. I would have to pay about R500-R600 per month extra just to be able to feed back. Rather just stay on prepaid then and pay my R300.

I pity the municipalities when battery storage reaches or goes below grid parity.

 

[itareanlnotani]

For those in Cape Town, this is the latest SSEG requirement PDF (that I could find)


https://www.capetown.gov.za/en/elec...esforEmbeddedGeneration 6 July-2015 Final.pdf

Again, it doesn't really make sense to go SSEG as:

The base charges are R390 a month for SSEG (R13.03 / day connection charge).
You are not allowed to generate more than you use (over a yearly period).
There are maximum install sizes imposed.


Cape Town effectively discourages solar with their policies. The entire city has 10 whole SSEG installations at last count, although there are likely thousands of solar installs.

This recalcitrance/discouragement is of course due to the risk this poses their income.
Cape Town's using electrical fee's as a silent tax may not work for too much longer though as more and more consumers opt out, much like I have.