Energy Security Game Changer launches provincial Solar PV tariff map

The Western Cape Government Energy Security Game Changer recently launched a Solar PV municipal tariff map for the entire Western Cape.

The easy-to-use map shows the different solar PV tariffs applicable for installation of Solar PV across 18 municipalities in the province for various uses. This includes residential, commercial, large-scale power use or agricultural.

With load shedding being rolled out nationally, the Energy Security Game Changer in the province is steadfast in its aim to see a 10% reduction in current provincial demand from Eskom by 2020, generated through alternative low-carbon supply and energy-efficiency measures.

A big part of the Game Changer is to encourage the increased uptake of Rooftop Solar PV. We have set the ambitious target of increasing the contribution of Solar PV to the province’s electricity supply to 135 MW by 2020.

As the Western Cape Government, we are committed to leading by example and have reduced electricity consumption in metered buildings by 24% since 2015, almost half the monthly usage of the private sector, and water consumption is down 20% over the same period.

The Western Cape has become the leading province in the roll-out of a supportive regulatory environment for Solar PV across municipalities and is continuing an extensive communications drive to encourage businesses to install Solar PV. The Western Cape Government is in the process of installing Solar PV on government buildings.

The launch of the municipal tariff map is part of the campaign and Premier Zille will be sending a letter to Solar PV installers thanking them for their contribution to a greener Western Cape and calling for ongoing partnerships through the Energy Security Game Changer.

Premier Zille also reminds Solar PV installers:

“I would like to remind installers that all SSEG installations need to be approved and registered with the relevant Municipality. Going through the legal application process ensures the installations conform with municipal grid requirements and protect the safety of residents and municipal officials. The consequences of unregistered installations are very serious and – once detected – can result in fines and the disconnection not only of the PV system, but of the electrical connection to the entire property as well.

“I would therefore like to call on you to ensure that each of your installations have been approved by the relevant Municipality.”

Background Information:

The Western Cape Government launched an Energy Security Game Changer in 2015 with the aim of driving energy efficiency and increasing the installed capacity of rooftop PV. Since then, approximately 70 MW of Solar PV has been installed in the province.

It is now legal in 22 municipalities to connect rooftop Solar PV to the electricity grid with 18 of the 22 municipalities having nationally approved tariffs in place, meaning users can be compensated for feeding their surplus power back into the municipal electricity grid.

The Western Cape Department of Public Works and Transport has committed R43 million for 14 Solar PV installations, which will have a projected annual saving of just over R4 million per annum once completed.

Households, businesses and governments can be contributors through low carbon supply and energy sufficiency measures – including the investment in energy efficiency, solar water heaters, and rooftop Solar PV.

For more information on the Energy Security Game Changer, visit: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/energy-security-game-changer/

The Solar PV feed-in tariff map can be accessed here: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/energy-security-game-changer/small-scale-embedded-generation-sseg-feed-tariff-map