How to get a solar system – legally!

If you’re investing in solar a solar system, one question matters more than almost any other: is your system legally installed? So here are some answers to that. (Spoiler alert: it’s tricky.)

Number 1: You need a CoC.

A Certificate of Compliance (CoC) is the legal document that proves an electrical installation meets South Africa’s safety standards. For solar, it comes with a test report that records the inspections and tests carried out on site.

Any addition or alteration to an electrical installation – like adding a PV system – requires a supplementary CoC, and this can only be issued if the property already has a valid CoC.

Why does this matter to you as a property owner? A valid CoC is essential not only for day-to-day compliance, but also for insurance claims, property sales, and even bond approvals. Without it, your system might look impressive, but it won’t protect you financially.

Who is authorised to issue a CoC?

In South Africa, only a registered Installation Electrician (IE) or a Master Installation Electrician (MIE) is authorised to issue a CoC for a solar system – whether single-phase or three-phase, new build or retrofit. Both categories are formally qualified, registered with the Department of Employment and Labour, and legally empowered to certify that your system meets the Electrical Installation Regulations.

Single Phase Testers (SPTs) may also issue CoCs for single-phase installations. However, their exact power of signature is often considered a grey area in the industry. To be on the safe side and to ensure your system is fully recognised by insurers, banks, and regulators, it is best to work with an IE or MIE.

Bottom line: if someone who is not an IE or MIE (or in certain cases an SPT), issues the CoC for your solar system, that certificate is invalid, and so is your installation in the eyes of insurers, banks, and regulators.

Be aware of legal risks of non-compliance

Using an unauthorised installer or accepting an invalid CoC carries serious risks:

• Voided insurance claims in case of fire, damage, or injury.
• Bond and resale complications, as banks and buyers require a valid CoC for property transactions.
• Unsafe systems that may never deliver the long-term savings solar promises.

It’s also important to know that a CoC has a two-year validity period for property transfers. If you add solar within that time, a supplementary CoC must be issued to prove the new work complies. Skipping this step leaves you exposed to the risks above.

Does a CoC solve all problems?

You can tell that this is a trick question. Just because someone signed off on a piece of paper it doesn’t mean you’re getting a flawless PV system. The CoC covers what the law demands in terms of electrical safety. Clever design, matching components, a long-lasting installation and other technical foundations are not being checked. And just like in the IT industry where a programmer has probably no clue about networks and vice versa, you also get experts for the different trades in the electrical and solar industry. 

Why high-quality installations pay off

A solar PV system is a long-term investment. With good design and quality components, systems can last 20 years or more, delivering substantial savings as electricity prices rise year after year. But those savings only materialise if the system is planned and installed correctly from the start. 

Cutting costs upfront with unqualified labour or substandard parts often results in higher repair bills, lower efficiency, and lost revenue down the line. In short, putting in the work now pays off over the lifetime of your system.

The PV GreenCard: Filling gaps and providing quality assurance

We recommend choosing a solar company that participates in the SAPVIA PV GreenCard programme, an industry-led quality assurance programme that gives PV system owners confidence in their solar investment.

The PV GreenCard is not a licence, and it does not replace the CoC. It is a checklist and installation report, documenting that your system has been installed according to recognised safety and performance standards, and the CoC forms part of that documentation. It voluntarily adds onto the minimum legal requirements.

Engaging a PV GreenCard Certified company is one of the strongest steps you can take to protect your investment because:

• It ensures your installer has undergone certified training and is committed to best practice.

• It gives you a transparent record of the components used and the design parameters of your system, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
• It offers peace of mind that your system is safe, insurable, and built to deliver savings for decades.

Build knowledge to avoid being scammed

If you are planning an investment, why not start with a short course. Instead of spending hours online, spend a day with an expert who can give you all the relevant facts and personal tips, enough to make an investment decision. The course is called Solar Compass. 

Solar Compass offers clear, practical insight into PV technology, financing models, and compliance requirements so that you gain the tools to ask the right questions, evaluate proposals with confidence, and protect your investment.

The course is geared towards property developers, facility managers, sustainability officers, and entrepreneurs with a business interest in solar.

Next course date: 1 December 2025, Johannesburg

Registration: https://solar-training.org/events/81-solar-compass/region-ZA/

For Solar Companies: top up knowledge now

If you choose quality, GREEN Solar Academy is your partner to train your entire team. We help you to get your PV GreenCard qualification and train your electricians, engineers and sales team.

The following overview shows an excerpt of our training calendar:

Book online https://solar-training.org or contact Tsakani on info@solar-training.org or +27 (0) 10 312 6724.

GREEN Solar Academy has been training solar professionals in South Africa since 2012 and is the 2025 recipient of the SAPVIA Empowerment Through Skills Development Award.