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.

Application for the Connection of Small-Scale Embedded Generation (GEN/EMB)	405285	GP0\|#f0b069a9-84bd-4629-943b-3e3dfa0685a7;L0\|#0f0b069a9-84bd-4629-943b-3e3dfa0685a7\|Application form;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#3a03f9b9-d2e9-49b1-92e1-37b654747f82;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2018-01-31T22:00:00Z
Approved Photovoltaic (PV) Inverter List	534312	GP0\|#af8a3963-d9e4-485f-ac84-7f8e7d3eff34;L0\|#0af8a3963-d9e4-485f-ac84-7f8e7d3eff34\|List;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#3a03f9b9-d2e9-49b1-92e1-37b654747f82;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2020-07-05T22:00:00Z
Electricity Distribution Licence and Area Boundaries Map	2247071	GP0\|#816346e9-401b-4120-ab33-f8b010e35cd1;L0\|#0816346e9-401b-4120-ab33-f8b010e35cd1\|Map;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#2ee73080-1b32-4320-889d-034e60d31b3a;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2016-11-13T22:00:00Z
PV Registration letter to customers	310287	GP0\|#c3444de2-1204-414d-a436-593b4be81c13;L0\|#0c3444de2-1204-414d-a436-593b4be81c13\|Notice;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#3a03f9b9-d2e9-49b1-92e1-37b654747f82;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2018-07-09T22:00:00Z
Requirements for Small-scale Embedded Generation	886927	GP0\|#63522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33;L0\|#063522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33\|Guideline;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2017-08-20T22:00:00Z
Rooftop PV Safe and Legal Installations Guidelines Pamphlet	1996875	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e;GP0\|#63522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33;L0\|#063522a5c-a6fd-40ae-a313-2b363ab1ec33\|Guideline;GPP\|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3	2018-06-08T22:00:00Z

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. Find out how this works for residential and commercial properties.

<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>

Normal

The City's Draft Budget 2020-2021

The City of Cape Town's budget reflects its key policy decisions and priorities, determines rates increases and indicates where money will be spent on programmes and services.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Meet-the-City/the-city-budget/the-citys-budget-2020-2021"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">the-citys-budget-2020-2021</a>

Normal

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>

Normal

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>

Normal

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>

Normal

Pay your traffic fine

The City has a number of different options for paying traffic fines. If you would like to pay your fine.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Pay/Driving-and-vehicles/Fines/Pay-your-traffic-fine"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">Pay-your-traffic-fine</a>

Normal

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>

Normal

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>

Normal

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>

Normal

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>

Normal

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>

Normal

2020/21 Tariffs

Find out about the latest tariffs that affect you

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/local%20and%20communities/meet-the-city/the-city-budget/city-wide-tariffs"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">city-wide-tariffs</a>

Normal

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>

Normal

View the Council Meeting Calendar

Access the Council meeting calendar and agendas for upcoming meetings.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/Meet-the-City/city-council/meeting-calendar"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">meeting-calendar</a>

Normal

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>

Normal

Load-shedding

Load-shedding stages are announced by Eskom and depend on the extent of the shortage of generation capacity

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

Normal

Libraries

Loan out books, get access to electronic resources or take part in community programmes and events at any of our libraries

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Explore%20and%20enjoy/See-all-city-facilities/our-service-facilities/Libraries"><img alt="" src="/_layouts/15/IMAGES/icgen.gif">Libraries</a>

Normal

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>

Normal

Reduce rates for NPOs and PBOs

Some PBOs and NPOs which were previously excluded from the list due to legislative changes will now be able to benefit from reduced rates.

<a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/City-Connect/Claim-or-dispute/Contest-a-property-valuation/change-your-property-rating-category">change-your-property-rating-category</a>

Normal

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>

Normal

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>

Normal

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>

Normal

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>

Normal