Who can issue a Certificate of Compliance for solar systems

Legal Framework & Definitions

The duty to keep electrical installations safe sits in the Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993. Practically, that means solar becomes part of the home’s electrical installation and must follow the same rules: use a properly registered contractor and ensure a CoC (plus any supplementary CoC after changes) is issued and kept on file.

Electrician Classifications in South Africa
South Africa recognizes three registered categories of electricians, each with distinct scopes of practice:

Who is authorised to issue a CoC?

In South Africa, only a registered Installation Electrician (IE) or Master Installation Electrician (MIE) is authorised to issue a Certificate of Compliance (CoC) for a solar PV system. This applies whether the installation is single-phase or three-phase, and whether it is part of a new build or an addition to an existing electrical installation. Both IEs and MIEs have the legal standing, qualifications, and registration with the Department of Employment and Labour to certify that the system meets the requirements of the Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009.

An Electrical Tester for Single Phase (ETSP) can play a role in the installation process, but their authority is more limited. They may install solar systems under the general control of an IE or MIE. They can only issue a CoC if:

• They have passed the prescribed trade test for single-phase work, and
• They have completed the relevant unit standard training recognised by the Department of Employment and Labour.

Even then, an ETSP may issue a CoC only for single-phase AC systems. They cannot certify three-phase installations, DC work in PV systems, or any electrical work outside their registered scope.

This distinction matters because issuing a CoC without the correct registration and scope is not just a regulatory breach—it can invalidate insurance claims, create liability for the installer, and leave the property owner with an unsafe or non-compliant system.

Legal risks of non-compliance

Cutting corners on who installs your solar system—or who issues the CoC—can have serious consequences. If the work is done by an unauthorised person or the CoC is issued outside the electrician’s registered scope, the installation is illegal under the Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009. This can lead to:

• Voided insurance claims if the system is damaged, causes damage, or is linked to a fire or injury.
• Bond complications, as many banks require a valid CoC before approving finance or finalising property transfers.
• Resale obstacles, since the absence of a valid CoC can stall or cancel a property sale.

It’s also important to understand that a CoC has a two-year validity period for transfer purposes. If any changes or additions – such as installing a solar PV system – are made within that time, a supplementary CoC must be issued. This supplementary certificate confirms that the new work complies with safety standards and integrates correctly with the existing installation. Failing to obtain it leaves the system non-compliant and can trigger all the risks above.

PV GreenCard as a valuable addition

Legally, a solar PV system can only be installed and certified by a trained, officially registered electrician who holds a wireman’s licence and the necessary unit standards for their scope of work. This is not just paperwork; it proves the person understands and can apply the Electrical Installation Regulations, SANS standards, and the correct testing and inspection procedures. Without this, the installation is not compliant, no matter how neatly it’s done.

The PV GreenCard is a great voluntary addition to any solar installation. While not currently mandatory, it is an industry-developed quality assurance programme that provides system owners with confidence that their system has been installed to recognised standards. The PV GreenCard takes the form of a detailed checklist and installation report, documenting the components, design parameters, and compliance of your system.

It’s important to note that the PV GreenCard itself is not a licence. It only carries legal weight if the installation is signed off by a registered electrician authorised to issue a CoC. On its own, the PV GreenCard does not replace the CoC—but when used together, the two documents provide both the legal proof and the quality assurance that your system is safe, compliant, and built to deliver long-term performance.

Certified solar training, such as courses aligned with the PV GreenCard or recognised by professional bodies, ensures electricians are familiar with:

• SANS standards relevant to PV and electrical installations.
• Regulatory requirements under the OHS Act and Electrical Installation Regulations.
• Test protocols for verifying system safety and performance.
• Inspection procedures to ensure every element of the installation is compliant before sign-off.

This combination of formal registration, legally recognised qualifications, and PV-specific training is what keeps installations safe, insurable, and future-proof.

Step by Step: From training to CoC Issuance

The road to issuing a Certificate of Compliance for a solar PV system begins long before the panels are mounted. First, an aspiring electrician must complete their formal trade training, pass the required trade test, and obtain the wireman’s licence that allows them to register with the Department of Employment and Labour as an Installation Electrician (IE) or Master Installation Electrician (MIE). This registration is the legal key—without it, no electrician may certify an installation.

Once qualified, the electrician designs and installs the PV system in accordance with SANS standards, municipal requirements, and the Electrical Installation Regulations, ensuring every detail from protection devices and earthing, to labelling and cable routing is compliant. The system is then subjected to a full round of inspections and tests, with results recorded in the official test report. Only after confirming compliance in every respect can the registered IE or MIE sign the report and issue the CoC, creating the formal record that the installation is safe and legal.

This is where professional solar training, like GREEN’s Compliance for PV Systems or PV Mounter courses, adds real value. While these short courses don’t replace the years of training needed to qualify as an electrician, they bridge the gap between general electrical skills and the specialised knowledge needed for solar PV, covering the regulations, standards, and best practices that ensure a system not only works, but passes inspection the first time.

Not a registered electrician – can you still play a role?

We spoke to our lead trainer Marius Geldenhuys, who runs his own successful solar installation business. His answer, “Absolutely, yes!”

“While the rules around the issuing of a CoC and installation of PV systems under the control and supervision of an electrical contractor may be clear, it does not mean that there is not a role for other skills or that only registered electricians can play a role in the design and construction of a PV system,” he explains.

A well-designed PV system often requires a multitude of skills:

• Data analysis skills: Proper needs analysis and load-profiling to ensure the system meets the client’s specific requirements
• Energy management skills: Load optimisation by using energy saving devices, load shifting etc. can lead to much more cost-effective and efficient systems
• System design skills: Proper understanding and analysis of PV, site specific climate conditions and client needs
• Structural analysis: Ensuring the roof structure can handle additional weight and wind/snow loads
• Financial analysis and system modelling skills: Often a requirement for commercial systems to build a business case using sophisticated software
• System integration skills: Smart systems require skills to integrate PV systems with home automation, EV chargers, load shedding schedules etc.

“While electricians specialise in electrical safety and proper testing of systems, properly trained technicians, engineers, technologists, and others can play an important role in the PV system implementation,” says Marius. “This is where specialised PV training courses like those offered by GREEN can play an important role to upskill staff to ensure system success.”