Solar COC & SANS 10142 Requirements

What Is a Solar COC?

A Certificate of Compliance (COC) is a legal document, issued by a registered person such as a qualified electrician, confirming that an electrical installation meets SANS 10142-1. For solar, it certifies that the inverter, wiring, earthing, isolators and connection to your distribution board are safe and code-compliant. It is required whenever the electrical installation is changed, which a solar system always does.

A Certificate of Compliance (COC) is a legal document, issued by a registered person such as a qualified electrician, confirming that an electrical installation meets SANS 10142-1. For solar, it certifies that the inverter, wiring, earthing, isolators and connection to your distribution board are safe and code-compliant. It is required whenever the electrical installation is changed, which a solar system always does.

When Do You Need a COC?

You need a solar COC when:

• You install a grid-tied or hybrid system connected to your DB board
• You add a battery and inverter backup to existing wiring
• You sell your property (a valid COC is legally required for transfer)
• Your insurer requests proof of compliant installation after a claim
• You apply to your municipality for grid-tied or SSEG approval

How SANS 10142 Applies to Solar

Key SANS 10142 points for PV installations:

• Correct cable sizing and colour coding for DC and AC circuits
• DC and AC isolators that can shut the system down safely
• Proper earthing and bonding of the array and inverter
• Surge protection and correctly rated breakers
• Clear labelling so anyone can identify and isolate the solar supply
• Inverter installed and commissioned to the manufacturer spec

Who Can Issue a COC

Only a registered person (a qualified electrician or installation electrician registered with the Department of Employment and Labour) may issue a COC. Solar installers usually include the COC in the install price or partner with a registered electrician. For grid-tied export you may also need a registered PV GreenCard installer and municipal SSEG registration on top of the COC.

Only a registered person (a qualified electrician or installation electrician registered with the Department of Employment and Labour) may issue a COC. Solar installers usually include the COC in the install price or partner with a registered electrician. For grid-tied export you may also need a registered PV GreenCard installer and municipal SSEG registration on top of the COC.

How to Stay Compliant

Protect yourself:

• Confirm your installer provides a COC before you pay
• Keep the COC document, you will need it when you sell
• Ask whether municipal SSEG registration is included for grid-tied systems
• Do not let unqualified handymen wire a system into your DB board
• Tell your insurer once the system is installed and COC issued