Pre-paid electricity can be purchased at the following vending outlets in the Langeberg Municipality:
Consumers are requested to report vendors at the municipality, which imposes a prerequisite for their products to be purchased before consumers can buy electricity.
The electricity tariffs for the 2023-2024 Financial Year is available here.
Disconnection and reconnection of electricity:
The service provider, Spectrum Utility Management (SUM), is appointed by Langeberg Municipality to assist with the disconnection and reconnection of electricity supply to users who have not paid their bills in accordance with the Credit Control & Debt Collection Policy of the municipality.
The service provider operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist with potential after-hours reconnections of restrictions.
Residents can identify the service provider by the company identification card carried by SUM officials, as well as the municipal letter on the official letterhead authorizing them to perform the disconnection or reconnection.
To be reconnected, account holders must pay the amount specified on the notice and any other debt, including the reconnection fee, or make a suitable payment arrangement.
If residents have any questions or need to confirm the identity of the service provider, they can contact the municipal call centre. The call centre will assist or refer the questions to the relevant municipal official in the debt collection and credit control unit or to the service provider.
Langeberg Municipality encourage the installation of private Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) systems, particularly Rooftop Photovoltaic (PV) systems.
Solar PV technology converts energy from the sun to electricity, which can be used in buildings of all sizes. Investment in installing a PV system reduce electricity costs and contribute to a more secure and sustainable future.
Connecting Alternative Energy Generating systems without approval, is illegal and dangerous.
Illegally connected systems could compromise the safety of your family, municipal staff and the electricity grid. All new and existing PV Systems must be authorised by Langeberg Municipality. Poorly installed roof top PV systems and illegal grid connections are a safety concern for the following reasons:
- The household may be exposed to the risk of electrical fires and electric shock.
- The safety and the power qualityof the electricity grid may be compromised by connections that use the wrong equipment or by adding unplanned generation capacity to apart of the network not designed to carry it.
- The safety of electricity staff working on the reticulation network could be compromised by the electricity feeding into the grid from illegally connected PV installations.
Before approving the design and purchasing of a system, there are key points to follow:
Before installing a PV system, it makes economic sense to first become more electricity-efficient. By doing so, you will reduce the size and cost of the PV system you need. Consider installing an efficient water heater (solar water heater or heat pump),installing efficient lighting and switching to gas for cooking and heating. For tips go to www.savingelectricity.org.za.
Obtain authorisation from Langeberg Municipality
If you are planning to install a grid tied system, you need to obtain written authorisation from Langeberg Municipality. You will find all the necessary documentation at www.langeberg.gov.za/SolarPV Do not proceed with installation until written authorisation has been granted. Stand alone systems must be registered with the Municipality, but are not required to go through the full authorisation process. Backup generators must also be registered with the Municipality.
View the REQUIREMENTS FOR ALTERNATIVE ELECTRICAL GENERATION (BELOW 1 MVA (1 000 kVA CAPACITY) here. This includes solar photovoltaic systems (including Solar photovoltaic Geysers), Uninterrupted power supplies, Alternative power supplies, Peak shaving or any additional power source equipment and LV standby generators in the Municipality’s Licensed area of supply.
Before approving the design and purchasing of a system, there are key points to follow:
- Obtain a structural assessment: Generally, roofs can with stand the weight and wind load of PV panels.However, it is advisable to obtain a structural assessment of the roof, to determine whether it can withstand these loads. Structural engineers can provide this service.
- No need to submit building plans: There is no need to submit building plans to the Langeberg Municipalityfor PV systems - unless the panels protrude more than 600 mm above the highest point of the roof, or they are raised more than 1.5 m above any point on the roof, or if ground mounted, the panels in their installed position project more than 2,1 metres above the natural/finished ground level.
- Buy the correct inverter: If you are planning to install a grid tied system, be sure to use an approved inverter. Langeberg Municipality uses the same guidelines as of the City of Cape Town. You can find the list of approved inverters at www.capetown.gov.za/SolarPV under’Reference Documents’.
- Check PV panel standards: At the very least, ensure that the PV panels you will use have a Certificate of Compliance for the IEC standard: EC 61215 − Crystalline silicon terrestrial PV modules. IEC standards are the international version of the SABS, and are a good indication of panel quality. Ask your service provider for proof.
- Store batteries safely: If you are installing batteries, make sure that they are stored in a properly racked, well ventilated, dry room and in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, Act 85 of 1993. While there are compulsory wiring standards for general electrical installations, there is no dedicated national standard for PV installations as of yet. This does not mean that you are not allowed to install a PV system, but without these quality reference points, you do need to ensure safe installations and the use of good, quality products that complies with our laws.
Download the APPLICATION FOR THE REGISTRATION / CONNECTION OF ALTERNATIVE ELECTRICAL GENERATION EQUIPMENT here.
For quality installations, make use of an installer accredited by SAPVIA who can issue a Green Card for your installation. See www.pvgreencard.co.za
For more information about Rooftop Photovoltaic Systems please contact Mr C Opperman at 023 626 8266 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
