Administrative delays in municipal small-scale embedded generation (SSEG) processes are limiting visibility of rooftop solar uptake and complicating grid planning, according to the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA).
Sim Khuluse, Technical and Policy Manager at SAPVIA, says prolonged approval timelines are contributing to a growing number of unregistered installations reducing the accuracy of system-wide data used for demand forecasting and operational planning.
Some SSEG applications, particularly in metros such as the City of Johannesburg, remain unresolved for extended periods with submissions dating back to 2022 still pending.
Khuluse notes that municipal systems and processes have not kept pace with the shift towards distributed, bi-directional electricity flows. Existing by-laws, billing systems and technical requirements are largely designed around a one-directional supply model, limiting the consistent implementation of feed-in mechanisms and compensation structures.
As a result, municipalities and industry lack a consolidated view of installed and pending rooftop solar capacity. This affects the ability to distinguish between reduced demand driven by efficiency measures and that resulting from embedded generation.
The increase in unregistered systems further reduces visibility for system operators, particularly during periods of lower solar output, where accurate demand data is required to manage supply and reserve margins.
While some municipalities have begun to modernise their processes, progress remains uneven. The City of Cape Town has introduced a digital application platform that enables online submissions, automated checks and shorter turnaround times.
SAPVIA indicates that wider adoption of digital registration systems, including real-time application tracking and streamlined approval processes, could reduce backlogs and improve transparency. However, in the absence of a standardised national framework, implementation remains fragmented.
