“Were they possessed?”: SA reacts as Eskom backs down on R30K fines for unregistered solar panel

South African homeowners with solar installations can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Eskom has confirmed it will no longer pursue R30,000 fines or electricity disconnections for those who do not register their residential solar systems before the September 2026 deadline.

The utility's retreat follows an intense back-and-forth between Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena and energy analyst Chris Yelland. The reversal was confirmed by Yelland after he challenged the legal basis for the utility’s heavy-handed registration demands.

Legal Basis Questioned

The core of the dispute rested on whether Eskom had any actual power to enforce such penalties. Yelland, acting as an advisor for OUTA, argued that there is no law allowing a distributor to cut off a customer’s power simply because they have solar panels.

While Eskom initially pointed to the Electricity Regulation Act as justification, experts pointed out that the act does not apply to systems that are not connected to the municipal grid. For small-scale setups under 100kW, there is currently no legal requirement to register with a local authority or regulator.

Safety and Data Claims Dismissed

Eskom had previously claimed that registration was essential for grid safety and data tracking. However, Yelland slammed these reasons as "disingenuous" and one-sided, noting that safety is already managed through existing Certificates of Compliance.

The utility also claimed it needed to know how many panels were installed to manage the grid. Critics were quick to point out that Eskom already publishes solar generation data on its website and could easily use satellite images for more accurate monitoring.

What Happens Next

For now, the threat of losing power or facing a massive bill for having solar panels has vanished. The climbdown signals a major win for consumers who have invested in alternative energy to escape the national grid's instability.

Homeowners are still encouraged to ensure their systems are installed by qualified professionals to maintain safety standards. However, the mandatory registration and the fear of a R30,000 fine are no longer on the table.