Quick answer
Choose a solar installer who designs the system around your actual electricity use, gives an itemised written quote with named equipment brands and warranties, and uses a registered electrician who will issue an electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for the installation. The installer should also help you register the system with your municipality or Eskom as embedded generation.
Rules on registering solar and battery systems differ between municipalities and change over time, so confirm the current requirements with your municipality or Eskom before you sign.
Step-by-step guidance
- Gather recent electricity bills or meter readings and list the appliances you want to keep running during load shedding or outages.
- Ask two or three installers for a site visit and an itemised written quote showing panels, inverter, batteries and mounting.
- Check the installer's experience and accreditation, such as the PV GreenCard programme, and ask for references from recent installs.
- Confirm that a registered electrician will issue a CoC and that the installer will handle embedded generation registration with your municipality or Eskom.
- Before final payment, get the CoC, warranty documents, system manuals and a walkthrough of the monitoring app.
What to check
- Whether the inverter is on your municipality's approved list if you plan to connect to the grid
- Product and workmanship warranties, and who handles claims
- Roof condition and whether mounting will affect roof guarantees
- Whether the quote includes the CoC and registration paperwork
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a system size without checking your real usage
- Skipping municipal registration, which can cause problems later
- Accepting a quote that does not name equipment brands and models
- Not getting the Certificate of Compliance before paying in full
Related nearby services
NearMe lists 131 solar installers across South Africa, with the most in Gauteng (60), Western Cape (15) and Eastern Cape (8). 97% include a phone number, so you can check before you go.
Find solar installers near you
This guide gives general information only. Rules, fees and requirements can change, so confirm details with the provider or the relevant authority. NearMe is an independent directory, not the provider.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Certificate of Compliance for solar?
Yes. The electrical work should be certified by a registered electrician, who issues a CoC for the installation.
Do I need to register my solar system?
Most municipalities and Eskom require grid-connected or grid-tied systems to be registered as embedded generation. Confirm the rules with your municipality or Eskom.
How many quotes should I get for solar?
Two or three itemised written quotes let you compare equipment, warranties and system design, not just the total.