Met die voortdurende strewe na energie-onafhanklikheid in Suid-Afrika het residensiële sonkrag- en rugsteunkraginstallasies in die Wes-Kaap en Gauteng die hoogte ingeskiet. Maar wanneer jy 'n duur omsetter en litium-ioonbattery by jou huis se elektriese stelsel aansluit, bring dit nuwe brand- en nakomingsrisiko's mee waarna versekeraars noukeurig kyk.
Die aanvullende CoC
Wanneer jy 'n sonkrag-PV-stelsel by jou eiendom voeg, is dit 'n wysiging aan jou bestaande elektriese installasie. Daarom moet jy wetlik 'n aanvullende elektriese nakomingsertifikaat (CoC) kry wat die nuwe bedrading en skakeltuig dek wat die sonkragtoerusting aansluit. Die sertifikaat moet deur 'n geregistreerde elektriese kontrakteur uitgereik word. Sertifikate van ongesertifiseerde installeerders is ongeldig en kan jou brand- en eiendomsdekking in gevaar stel.
Die Wes-Kaap: SSEG-reëls
As jy in die Wes-Kaap woon, veral in die Stad Kaapstad of omliggende munisipaliteite, moet jou sonkraginstallasie waarskynlik onder die kleinskaalse ingebedde opwekking-program (SSEG) geregistreer word as dit parallel met die munisipale netwerk werk. Versekeraars vra toenemend vir bewys van SSEG-registrasie om seker te maak die stelsel voldoen aan die wet.
Wenke vir polishouers
- Werk jou versekerde bedrae by: Sonpanele en batterye word as "vaste" toebehore beskou. Dit val dus onder jou huiseienaars- (geboue-) dekking, nie jou huisinhoud nie. Maak seker jy verhoog jou gebou se versekerde waarde om die vervangingskoste van die stelsel te dek.
- Kyk na jou dak se struktuur: Swaar sonpanele kan ouer dakke benadeel. Maak seker jou installeerder bevestig dat die dak die gewig kan dra, om latere dispute oor stormskade te voorkom.
With the ongoing push toward energy independence in South Africa, residential solar and backup power installations have skyrocketed across the Western Cape and Gauteng. However, plugging an expensive inverter and lithium-ion battery into your home's electrical system introduces new fire and compliance risks that insurers are watching closely.
The supplementary CoC
Whenever you add a solar PV system to your property, it constitutes an alteration to your existing electrical installation. Because of this, you are legally required to obtain a supplementary electrical Certificate of Compliance (CoC) that covers the new wiring and switchgear connecting the solar equipment. The certificate must be issued by a registered electrical contractor; certificates from uncertified installers are invalid and will jeopardise your fire and property cover.
Western Cape specifics: the SSEG rules
If you live in the Western Cape, particularly within the City of Cape Town or surrounding municipalities, your solar installation must likely be registered under the Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) programme if it runs in parallel with the municipal grid. Insurers are increasingly asking for proof of SSEG registration to ensure the system is legally compliant.
Tips for policyholders
- Update your sums insured: Solar panels and batteries are considered "fixed" appliances, meaning they fall under your homeowners (buildings) cover, not your home contents. Make sure you increase your building's insured value to cover the replacement cost of the system.
- Check roof structural integrity: Heavy solar panels can compromise older roofs. Make sure your installer verifies the roof can handle the weight to avoid future storm-damage disputes.
