Senior writer
It’s not well advertised, but any reputable solar system installer will tell you you’ll need a compliance certificate, and this is BEFORE a solar system can even be switched on. However, the interesting part of this is that the CoC can only be issued if there is already an existing CoC for the entire property’s electrical system. And, when purchasing a property for which a general electrical CoC is required, it must cover an existing solar system, regardless of how recently it was installed.
CoC regulations serve to protect buyers, that we know, but it remains common practice that regardless of what systems CoC’s cover, be that water, gas, insect infestations, or electrical, they are still being issued by parties that are not registered contractors with the Department of Labour and other various boards that govern the sectors, such as the Bargaining Council for the Electrical Industry.
In the case of solar installers, unless they are registered electrical contractors, meaning they require a registered person to be in full-time employment and who must be onsite during every step of an installation, no CoC – which must also be accompanied by a test report – issued by the installer can be considered valid. Should this happen there are serious implications which could jeopardise any insurance policies attached to the property and even a bond application.
According to Solar Electric Africa, there is also some misconception that the PV GreenCard accredited installer is permitted to install and issue a CoC. The PV GreenCard Programme is an industry-led quality assurance, skills development, and small business support initiative that ensures quality standards and compliance with solar system installations in line with local and international best practices.
The website says that while the PV GreenCard accredited installer may install the solar system and issue the CoC, that person must be a “qualified registered electrician (wireman license) and registered as an electrical contractor with the Department of Labour”. The website also clarifies that “a PV GreenCard installer who is not a registered electrician may only install the solar system provided he does so under the “general control” of a registered electrician.”
While this appears simple, there is some confusion about the level of expertise of an electrician. Many sellers think that merely being an electrician (albeit authentic) qualifies them to undertake an electrical installation, solar or otherwise, but this is just not true.
DVH Law defines the three types of electricians in the country: single-phase electricians (ETSp), installation electricians (IE), and Master Installation Electricians (MIE). This distinction must be understood, for only the IEs and MIEs can issue the solar compliance certificates. While the ETSP may undertake the solar installation, and only per the applicable electrical and SAN standards, they need to be supervised by an IE or MIE, who will then issue the CoC.
What is covered by the CoC?
Understand up front that any equipment designed to operate any alternative energy source, such as solar, that runs in parallel to the main grid (also known as grid-tied) is regarded as a fixed appliance. Such fixed equipment is not included in the CoC. What is, is the wiring and switchgear that connects the equipment to the electrical installation. There are also different requirements for the different connection types, but overall, general safety regulations must be applied to both the positioning and selection of equipment.
Validity
Like any other CoC, the solar CoC is only valid for two years, and even then, only if no modifications have been made to the installation since the CoC was issued. A supplementary CoC is required if a solar installation is undertaken after a property purchase and within two years from the original electrical CoC being issued.
It must also be noted that a solar CoC is a separate certificate from that of the electrical CoC which must also be presented to the conveyancers before a property registration can take place.
Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr law firm made this comment last year: “While not currently dealt with separately, as a system apart from the rest of a property’s electrical system, solar installations will undoubtedly start to feature more prominently on the mandatory immovable property condition report required in terms of section 67 of the Property Practitioners Act 22 of 2019, in respect of both the sale and lease of immovable property, (and) in the near future.”
