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Cape Town, renowned for its stunning landscapes and commitment to sustainable practices, is stepping up its game in renewable energy. With a surge in solar photovoltaic (PV) installations across the city, local authorities have introduced a cutting-edge online portal aimed at expediting the authorisation process. The new online solar PV authorisation portal, accessible through the City’s eServices platform, is poised to revolutionize the way residents and service providers navigate the approval journey. Designed to significantly reduce turnaround times, the portal comes as a response to the burgeoning demand for solar PV systems in Cape Town. Acknowledging the solar PV boom, officials stress the importance of proper authorisation to uphold safety standards. Unauthorised PV systems not only pose risks of fires and power outages but also endanger the lives of frontline electrical workers tasked with maintaining the city’s electrical grid. “We are proud of the swift action taken to address the challenges posed by the rapid adoption of solar PV,” remarked a city official. “The online portal, developed with utmost dedication by our teams, ensures a seamless and efficient service for our customers and their service providers.” Importantly, applicants with pending submissions need not reapply through the online portal. The City will ensure the seamless transition of existing applications into the new system. Since its launch, the online portal has facilitated the authorisation of over 5,000 solar PV systems, totalling an impressive 126 MVA. The surge in applications, tripling between 2021 and 2023, underscores the growing appetite for sustainable energy solutions in Cape Town. Councillor Beverley van Reenen, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Energy, emphasized the portal’s role in automating the issuance of Permission to Install Letters for specific applications. This automation promises significant reductions in processing times, particularly for small residential solar PV and battery systems. For residents keen on authorising their solar PV systems online, the process is streamlined and user-friendly. By registering on the eServices platform and activating the “Energy Services” tile, applicants gain access to the Energy Service Applications. Once registered, applicants can seamlessly navigate the online portal to initiate the authorisation process. With Cape Town’s commitment to sustainable energy solutions at the forefront, the launch of the online solar PV authorisation portal marks a significant leap towards a greener and more resilient future for the city and its residents. |
