Frequently Asked Questions

A Certificate of Compliance (CoC) is issued by a registered electrical contractor / installation electrician. It confirms the electrical installation work complies with the applicable wiring standards for that installation.

Professional Engineer (Pr Eng) sign-off for PV / SSEG is a separate professional engineering responsibility: reviewing and signing off the design and documentation required by the utility or municipality for embedded generation registration and grid connection.

Many registrations need both. A CoC alone does not replace utility / municipal Pr Eng requirements where those apply.

Insurers and underwriters increasingly expect grid-tied and hybrid PV systems to be properly registered with the supply authority and supported by the required compliance documentation.

If a system is not registered, or key professional sign-offs are missing, a claim after fire, damage, or liability events can be delayed, reduced, or disputed. Requirements vary by policy and insurer — check your policy wording.

Completing registration and professional sign-off reduces a common compliance gap homeowners and installers face.

Permission to Install (PTI) — sometimes called provisional approval or permission to construct — is typically the early authority decision allowing the system to be installed subject to the conditions and documents listed by that municipality or Eskom.

Final approval (commissioning / connection approval) is the later step after installation and inspection requirements are met, confirming the system may operate connected under the utility’s rules.

Installing or energising before the authority’s required stage can create compliance and insurance problems. Exact names and steps differ by municipality and Eskom process.

Timelines depend on the authority (municipality vs Eskom), how complete your documents are, system size, and whether revisions are requested.

As a planning guide only (not a guarantee):

• Straightforward residential municipal applications often move over several weeks once a complete pack is submitted.
• More complex commercial or Eskom cases can take longer, especially where inspections, revisions, or larger plant are involved.

We will give you a realistic range for your specific authority and file completeness when you get in touch.

We are based in Cape Town and support PV registration and professional engineering sign-off work with Eskom and municipalities across South Africa. Coverage depends on the project and authority requirements — ask us about your location when you enquire.