The ongoing energy crisis has led some residents to opt for alternative energy sources. This document (SEE DOWNLOADABLE GRAPHICS OF EASE OF USE) sheds light on the process to apply for and install a small-scale embedded generation system. This document serves as a guide on how to be compliant with municipal regulations and focuses on:

• Application for installation
• Solar installation from a construction perspective
• Making sure you are compliant if you have gone solar already
• Why compliance is important
• Link to important documents to reference

APPLICATION FOR INSTALLATION

1. Obtain and complete the necessary application form/s. (Available on municipal website or from Jessie America at 044 606 6076 or jamerica@mosselbay.gov.za)
2. Obtain approval from Building Control if photovoltaic solar panels are being installed. (Contact Larné Thorpe at 044 606 5248 or lthorpe@mosselbay.gov.za).  
3. Submit completed form/s and necessary attachments (including approval from Building Control, if applicable) to the Mossel Bay Infrastructure Services Department (Jesse America at jamerica@mosselbay.gov.za).
4. Upon receipt of formal approval letter from the Infrastructure Service Department, the SSEG equipment can be procured, installed, tested and commissioned by the customer.
5. Submit commissioning documentation to Mossel Bay Infrastructure Services Department. Commissioning report must be signed-off by an Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) registered engineer or technologist.
6. Electrical Services Department inspects the SSEG installation, if necessary. This is applicable only to large installations.
7.  The meter installation must be changed to comply with SSEG regulations. The customer must obtain a quotation from an accredited meter installer. This is applicable to customers who apply to feed back into the grid.
8. The process above, must be repeated for any system modifications or expansions.

SOLAR INSTALLATION FROM A CONSTRUCTION PERSPECTIVE 

When installing a solar system as part of a renewable energy source (maximum 6m² roof area / 12m² other than the roof), the following is required pertaining to Mossel bay Municipality’s Building Control Department:

• An application form for minor building works must be obtained.
• 2 hardcopy sets of at least a site plan must be provided, indicating in red the proposed installation, and including the following:

1.Title block (description of works, property description, registered owner details, and signature),
2. Erf boundaries and prescribed building lines,
3. Existing structure(s),
4.Position and extent of solar panels to be indicated on roof or plan layout,
5. Section or elevation required (solar panels affixed to the roof of a building may not at any point be more than 1,5 meters above the roof surface, measured perpendicularly from that surface), and
6. Technical description (type of system and specifications) and position of associated equipment (inverter, battery bank, distribution board, etc.).

·  An approval of the solar system application by the Electrical Department must accompany the application.

·  It is advisable that property owners confirm that the structure (e.g. roof) will be able to support the weight of the solar panels, as well as other associated equipment. Therefore, the municipality may request a certificate of confirmation issued by an engineer when assessing the building plan application.

 GONE SOLAR already? MAKE SURE YOU ARE COMPLIANT

Due to safety implications, alternative power installations, whether solar panels, inverters or even wind power generation, must be regulated. Regulations have been in place by the Mossel Bay Municipality since January 2016. As some residents may not have been aware of this, the municipality is offering a six-month amnesty period, which commenced on 1 July 2023, during which residents are offered the opportunity to properly register, without facing non-compliance consequences.

In this regard, the following documents must be submitted to the Infrastructure Services Department (Jesse America - jamerica@mosselbay.gov.za) and the Building Control Department (Larné Thorpe - lthorpe@mosselbay.gov.za).

• An application form (template available on the municipal website or from jamerica@mosselbay.gov.za)
• Building plans for minor building work. These do not need to be drawn up by a draftsman or architect, but must indicate the position of e.g., the solar panels on the roof and/or inverter and roof structure.
• A certificate of compliance from both a structural engineer (who must indicate the installation plan) as well as the electrician who did the installations.

WHY IS COMPLIANCE IMPORTANT?

The municipal directives are contained in the so-called Small Scale Embedded Generation policy of 2016 (amended in 2020), which aims to ensure safety.

Installations must be registered and approved by the municipality to ensure that they meet the minimum standards as contained in the SANS of 2020.

Properties are connected to the municipal power grid via electricity kiosks and mini-substations. Power installations at individual properties therefore affect the municipal grid. Faulty installations at individual homes or businesses, can threaten the lives of municipal staff working on the network and can also directly affect the power supply to neighbouring residences or properties.

The additional load of solar installations on residential roofs can lead to structural damage if the roof structure cannot bear the additional load of solar panels. Should a roof give way or inverters cause a fire at homes, the residents themselves and/or neighbours could suffer serious damage including loss of life.

Mossel Bay is known for strong, even gale-force winds which also have a direct impact on installations. Appropriate engineers must therefore inspect and sign off on installations in terms of national standards.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS TO REFERENCE

(As part of this article)

• MOSSEL BAY MUNICIPALITY POLICY FOR EMBEDDED GENERATION
• LIST OF APPROVED INVERTERS
• TARIFFS 2022-2023
• EXAMPLE OF SSEG APPLICATION
•  MOSSEL BAY SSEG COMMISSIONING REPORT
• MOSSEL BAY SSEG APPLICATION FORM
• MOSSEL BAY SSEG SUPPLEMENTAL CONTRACT

Need further assistance? Contact the Building Control Department (Larné Thorpe - 044 606 5248) and the Infrastructure Services Department (Jesse America - 044 606 6076) for more information.