City of Cape Town Link

Going solar

<h2 class="sectHeading">Solar energy options for the home</h2><p>Switching to a more efficient water heating system will help you save money on your electricity bill.</p><h4>Solar water heaters</h4><p>Solar water heaters are a set of pipes that are placed on the roof of your home. Heat from the sun warms water that can then be used throughout your home for all your hot water needs.</p><h4>Heat pumps</h4><p>Heat pumps use a small amount of electricity to power a pump. The pump acts as an air conditioner in reverse, moving heat from the air into the hot water geyser.</p><p>Heat pumps are a good option for homes and flats that do not get a lot of direct sunshine or do not have enough space or the right construction to support a solar water heater.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">On-site electricity generation</h2><p> <strong>Solar Photo-voltaic (PV): Small Scale-Embedded Generation (SSEG)</strong></p><p>Solar PV technology converts energy from the sun to electricity, which can be used in buildings of all sizes. Investing in solar PV can help reduce the amount of electricity that is bought from the City.</p><p>Solar PV is one form of Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG). SSEG refers to systems generating less than 1MVA that are connected to the City's electricity grid.</p><p>Solar PV is suitable for any place where there is a good solar resource and electricity is already used including residential, commercial and industrial areas. </p><p>All solar PV systems installed within the City of Cape Town electricity supply area must be registered for authorisation.</p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Choosing a solar PV system</h2></span> <p>There are two types of solar PV systems to choose from.</p><h4>Grid-tied SSEG systems</h4><p>These are connected to the City's electricity grid either directly or through your property's internal wiring. There are two types of grid-tied systems.</p><ul><li> <strong>Grid-tied feed-in </strong> <strong>system </strong>(also known as an SSEG with export option): the electricity generated by the PV system is used on the property. Excess electricity generated from the system is fed back into the electricity grid - you may receive credit from the City.</li><li> <strong>Grid-</strong><strong>tied non-feed-in PV </strong>(also known as an SSEG without export option, with reverse power flow blocking): the electricity generated by the PV system is used on the property only when there is a demand for it. Excess electricity generated is blocked from feeding back into the grid.</li></ul><h4>Off-grid or standalone SSEG systems</h4><p>These systems have no connection to the grid. They are physically separated and electrically isolated from the grid. An example would be connecting a pool pump directly to a solar PV system instead of connecting it to the building's wiring. </p><p>Off-grid systems must also be registered with the City to ensure they are not mistaken for grid-tied systems. See the <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/CCT-Energy-PV-Brochure.pdf" target="_blank">Rooftop PV Guidelines for Safe and Legal installation in Cape Town</a> for more information about different kinds of PV systems.</p> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">Register your solar PV system</h2></span> <p>All solar PV systems installed within the City's electricity supply area must be authorised by us.</p><p>See our useful guideline documents below:</p><ul><li> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Requiremenst%20for%20Samll-Scale%20Embedded%20Generation.pdf" target="_blank">Requirements for Small-scale Embedded Generation</a></li><li> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/CCT-Energy-PV-Brochure.pdf" target="_blank">Guidelines for Safe and Legal PV installation in Cape Town</a></li></ul><p>Registration is legally required in terms of the <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Electricity%20Supply%20By-law.pdf" target="_blank">City of Cape Town Electricity Supply By-Law, 2010 </a>and ensures the safety of anyone who comes into contact with the PV system or the grid itself.</p><p>Registration also makes sure that all those who are using electricity from the grid pay for their usage accordingly. Running your meter backwards or avoiding paying your share of the grid upkeep is illegal and puts greater strain on the rest of the city.</p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading white-copy yellow bg-darker-grey"><div class="graphic"> <i class="info citycard"></i></div><div class="desc"><h4>City Connect</h4><p> <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/Electricity/apply-for-authorisation-to-install-a-small-scale-embedded-generation-system">Apply for authorisation to install a small-scale embedded generation system</a></p></div></div></span> <p> <strong>An unauthorised PV system can:</strong></p><ul><li>Increase the risk of fire and other hazards</li><li>Result in injury or death, especially if it is still feeding onto the grid during a power outage. The property owner will be at risk of legal recourse under Occupational Health and Safety laws.</li><li>Cause quality and sustainability problems with the electricity grid, specifically from unknown capacity and schedules of all generation on the network. This information is needed in order to maintain the balance of load and electricity quality. </li></ul> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">How do I sell my excess energy back to the City?</h2></span> <p>Most of the electricity generated by a grid-tied feed-in system is consumed onsite. Sometimes, more electricity is generated than consumed. In this case, a limited amount of power is allowed to flow back onto the electricity grid and your electricity account is credited at the <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Financial%20documents/Electricity%20Consumptive%20Tariffs.pdf" target="_blank">SSEG tariff</a>. Over a 12-month period, all properties with SSEG systems must be 'net consumers' which means that they consume more power than they generate.</p>

Improve overall energy efficiency in your home through solar energy such as water heaters, solar geysers and rooftop panels.

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Qualifying residents can register on the City's Housing Needs Register (previously known as the Housing Database) to be considered for a variety of housing opportunities.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Register/Housing-and-property/Register-on-the-housing-database"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">Register-on-the-housing-database</a>

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Arrange a payment plan

We offer payment plans for property owners and tenants who have outstanding payments on their municipal accounts.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Pay/Municipal-accounts/Electricity/arrange-a-payment-plan-for-debt-collection"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">arrange-a-payment-plan-for-debt-collection</a>

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Submit your water meter readings online

You can submit your water meter reading online through e-Services.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-water-and-sanitation-services/water-meter-readings"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">water-meter-readings</a>

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Find your councillor, ward or subcouncil

You can find your councillor, ward or subcouncil using our easy look-up tool.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/search?k=find%20your%20councillor"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">search</a>

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District plans

The District Plans are medium term (10 year) plans that aim to guide spatial development processes and land use management within the district and are approved by the Council of City of Cape Town as policy.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/planning-portal/Spatial-Plans-and-Frameworks/district-plans"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">district-plans</a>

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Informal trading

Informal trade is a very important part of Cape Town's economy and benefits both traders and locals.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/doing-business-in-the-city/business-support-and-guidance/informal-trading"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">informal-trading</a>

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The Business Hub

The Business Hub provides information on starting and growing your business.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/doing-business-in-the-city/business-support-and-guidance/the-business-hub"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">the-business-hub</a>

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Cape Town Future Energy Festival

The Cape Town Future Energy Festival is a showcase of innovation and sustainable living.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Have-your-say/surveys-and-submissions/cape-town-future-energy-festival"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">cape-town-future-energy-festival</a>

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Pay your rates and services accounts

You can pay your rates and services account in a number of different ways.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Pay/Municipal-accounts/Electricity/pay-your-rates-and-services-account"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">pay-your-rates-and-services-account</a>

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Prevent illegal dumping

We are calling on all our residents to stop and report illegal dumping … Illegal dumping costs us money It costs the City R350 million every year to clean up illegal dumping …

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Safety-in-the-home/Environmental-health-in-the-home/prevent-illegal-dumping"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">prevent-illegal-dumping</a>

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Upgrade to a new prepaid electricity meter

Find out if your suburb has been selected for a compulsory electricity meter upgrade

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/Electricity/apply-for-an-upgrade-to-a-new-prepaid-electricity-meter"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">apply-for-an-upgrade-to-a-new-prepaid-electricity-meter</a>

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Submit a building plan

If you are planning any building work on a property, you may need to submit a building plan for approval.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Planning-building-and-development/Building-plan-applications/Apply-for-a-building-plan"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">Apply-for-a-building-plan</a>

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City jobs and opportunities

The City offers a range of employment and career development opportunities to suitably qualified applicants from a range of social and educational backgrounds.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/jobs-and-skills-development/work-for-the-city-of-cape-town/city-jobs-and-opportunities"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">city-jobs-and-opportunities</a>

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Coronavirus

The coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new disease that was recently declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO)

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/personal-health/contagious-and-chronic-diseases/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>

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Coronavirus updates

We are operating with reduced services and communication channels as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and national lockdown.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/general/coronavirus-updates">coronavirus-updates</a>

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The cost of electricity

We bill you based on a three-tier tariff system comprising of the Lifeline tariff, the Domestic tariff and the Home User tariff.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-electricity-services/the-cost-of-electricity"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">the-cost-of-electricity</a>

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Submit your electricity meter readings online

You can submit your own electricity meter reading or let the City read your meter for you.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-electricity-services/electricity-meter-readings"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">electricity-meter-readings</a>

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Load-shedding

Load-shedding power outages generally last for about 2 hours and 30 minutes with stage 1 being the least serious, and stage 8 being the most serious.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-electricity-services/load-shedding-and-outages">load-shedding-and-outages</a>

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Water restrictions explained

Water restrictions are necessary during and after droughts in order to conserve our precious water resources and allow dam levels to recover.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/greener-living/water-wise-in-the-home/water-restrictions-explained"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">water-restrictions-explained</a>

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Apply for replacement wheelie bin

The City will replace or repair a damaged or stolen wheelie bin free of charge.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Municipal-services/solid-waste/Apply-for-replacement-wheelie-bin" target="_blank">Apply-for-replacement-wheelie-bin</a>

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Pay and renew your vehicle licence

There are a number of different options you can use when paying for and renewing your vehicle licence renewal.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Pay/Driving-and-vehicles/Vehicle-licences/Pay-your-vehicle-licence" target="_blank">Pay-your-vehicle-licence</a>

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Dam levels

The dam levels are critical for Cape Town’s water supply and are a key contributor to the Day Zero water dashboard

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/residential-utility-services/residential-water-and-sanitation-services/this-weeks-dam-levels">this-weeks-dam-levels</a>

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Apply for new or replacement driver's licence

Find out how to get a new or replacement driver’s licence.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Apply/Licences-and-permits/Driving-and-vehicles/Apply-for-new-or-replacement-drivers-licence">Apply-for-new-or-replacement-drivers-licence</a>

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District Six local neighbourhood plan

We are developing a local neighbourhood plan, also known as a Local Spatial Development Framework (LSDF), for District Six to help re-establish the area.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/work%20and%20business/planning-portal/Spatial-Plans-and-Frameworks/district-six-neighbourhood-plan"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">district-six-neighbourhood-plan</a>

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