SAPVIA and City Power Forge Collaborative Path for Sustainable Solar Energy in Johannesburg

The South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) and City Power, the power utility of the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), have entered high-level talks to resolve the Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) registration backlog and stabilize Johannesburg’s distributed energy framework.

The meeting, held on 16 February 2026, focused on creating a compliant, financially sustainable, and growing distributed generation environment that benefits residents while ensuring grid stability. Mr. Justin Hendricks, representing the SAPVIA Residential PV Working Group, delivered the opening presentation, outlining the technical and administrative hurdles currently facing the industry.

Resolving the 2022–2025 Registration Backlog

A primary focus of the engagement was the resolution of “legacy” SSEG applications submitted between 2022 and August 2025. SAPVIA advocated for a transitional approach to evaluate these outstanding submissions, emphasizing that administrative consistency is vital for systems installed according to the approval practices of that period.

To reduce regulatory uncertainty and drive higher voluntary compliance, SAPVIA proposed a defined framework to fast-track these older applications. While City Power has noted the proposal, both parties agreed that further engagement is required to finalize an appropriate path forward. Efficiently resolving these legacy matters is seen as a critical step in building public confidence and accelerating formal registration across the city.

Dr. Patrick Narbel, Chair of the SAPVIA Residential PV Working Group, stated that “Regulatory certainty is the fuel for voluntary compliance. By clearing the SSEG registration backlog, we’re removing the roadblocks to a sustainable city and ensuring no solar pioneer is left in administrative limbo.”

Streamlining SSEG Registration

The discussion addressed the shared goal of making SSEG registration faster, more scalable, and less bureaucratic. Both parties acknowledged that manual submission constraints and administrative hurdles currently act as barriers to widespread compliance.

To address this, the organizations discussed benchmarking against successful digital models, such as the City of Cape Town’s online portal, to eliminate friction and improve processing times for new solar installations.

“It’s time to move from manual hurdles to digital solutions. Streamlining the registration process isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about accelerating Johannesburg’s journey to energy independence.” Stated Dr. Narbel.

Addressing Tariff Concerns and Public Sentiment

The meeting directly addressed the recent public outcry regarding the mandatory migration of SSEG users from prepaid to postpaid tariffs. SAPVIA shared industry concerns that the significant cost increase moving from an average of R230 on prepaid to a range of R1070 – R1360 on postpaid serves as a major deterrent to legal registration.

Speaking on the urgency of the situation, Mr. Sim Khuluse, Technical and Policy Manager at SAPVIA recently emphasized in the media the need for a balanced approach:

“We must ensure that the transition to a greener grid does not become a financial burden that punishes early adopters. Our goal is to work with utilities and municipalities to find a middle ground where the grid remains viable, but the consumer is not alienated by sudden, steep tariff hikes.”

SAPVIA was pleased to note that these concerns have been heard. Alternatives are being discussed, including retaining prepaid infrastructure for users who do not export power and implementing specialized, cost-reflective prepaid tariffs.

Collaborative Growth and Next Steps

To ensure long-term success, SAPVIA proposed a dedicated forum for regular technical exchange with the City of Johannesburg. While both parties recognize that a formal structure may take time to implement, they will move forward with a joint communication strategy to reassure the public.

“Our shared objective is to make compliance the easiest and most attractive path for Johannesburg’s energy users,” stated Mr. Hendricks. “By streamlining the registration process and resolving the backlog of legacy applications, we can protect the grid’s integrity while empowering residents to contribute to a sustainable, resilient energy future for the city.”