What export kW cap do South African metros set for home solar?

Answer first: Find your supply size / NMD, phase, and the metro’s SSEG category. Ask the installer what export limit will be programmed and whether zero-export is the interim mode — export limit · NMD · zero-export · SSEG · metro tariffs.

Why caps differ

Programming vs paperwork

A soft export limit in the inverter that does not match the SSEG approval is an inspection and enforcement risk. Keep screenshots of the setpoint with the CoC pack — inspection fails · CT clamps · NRS list.

Self-use when export is tiny

If the cap is low, design for daytime loads (geyser timer, pool, EV) instead of chasing feed-in cents — export vs self-use · smart geyser · pool pump · EV from solar.

Metro deep-dives on this desk

Start with Cape Town, Joburg, Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, eThekwini, Homeflex.

SA desk notes that keep quotes honest

Ask every partner for Incl. VAT line items, NRS-listed SKUs where relevant, and who owns metro paperwork after deposit. Compare at least two written scopes before you pay — read a quote · choose installer · NRS list · SSEG.

Worked homeowner checklist

1. Photograph the DB, roof and meter before the survey.
2. Export twelve months of kWh or summer+winter bills.
3. Write Stage priorities (fridge, routers, lights) before shopping kWh.
4. File CoC, warranties and SSEG refs in one folder after handover.

Related hubs: load shedding · metro tariffs · costs & savings · check a quote.

Tariff and fixed-charge reminder

Self-use savings sit on top of fixed charges that do not disappear. Model both before you celebrate a payback slide — fixed charges · monthly savings · export vs self-use · tariffs 2026.

Safety and paperwork close

• No DIY on dual-supply boards or MC4 strings.
• Keep dual-supply labels readable for inspectors.
• Register warranties before the deadline printed on the pack.

More: CoC · inspector tips · warranties · DIY risks · red flags.

Monitoring and aftercare

Watch daily kWh, backup SoC before forecast Stages, and any new earth-leakage or isolation alarms. Export CSVs monthly so cloud portal changes do not erase your history — monitoring numbers · Wi-Fi dongle · SoC settings.

When to call vs when to wait

Call for burning smells, repeated RCD trips, zero production in full sun with isolators on, or firmware prompts you do not understand. Wait-and-log for single Stage-restore blips that do not repeat — fault codes · nuisance trips · MC4.

Sources homeowners should open themselves

Open the live metro SSEG page, the OEM manual PDF for your exact inverter SKU, and the tariff code on your latest bill before you argue with a salesperson. Screenshots age; primary pages change. Cross-check any rand band on this desk against those primaries the week you buy — metro tariffs · tariffs 2026 · NRS list · SSEG · SSEG cost.

Quote comparison grid

Use how to read a quote and check a quote before deposit. Pair with red flags · PV GreenCard · choose installer · install timeline.

Stage-season operating rules

• Know which breakers are essentials before the app says Stage 4.
• Pre-charge only as far as your written SoC policy — not 100% forever.
• After restore, glance at earth-leakage and isolation alarms before heavy loads.
• Keep a paper copy of dual-supply labels and OEM contacts in the kitchen drawer.

Deeper: Stage strategy · Stage 4 · Stage 6 · SoC settings · load shedding hub · essentials · earth leakage.

Aftercare calendar

1. Month 1: confirm monitoring app + CSV export works.
2. Month 3: visual roof/MC4 glance from the ground after storms.
3. Month 6: reconcile bills vs production; check fixed charges.
4. Month 12: warranty registrations, cleaning, SoC policy review.

Related: yearly maintenance · monitoring · cleaning · MC4 · warranties · fixed charges.

Bottom line for SA homeowners

Treat this as a decision aid with named trade-offs, not a brochure. Demand Incl. VAT scopes, NRS-listed hardware where it applies, written SSEG ownership, and a backup board that matches how your household actually survives Stage. If a partner cannot explain those four items without slogans, keep shopping — get quotes · check a quote · read a quote · is solar worth it · payback · monthly savings.

Keep primary PDFs (metro, OEM, warranty) beside this article. When figures disagree, the live primary wins. Update your own notes after tariff changes each year — tariffs 2026 · metro tariffs · VAT on solar · bond finance · lease vs buy · selling with solar.

Worked NMD conversation

If your breaker or notified demand is 60 A single-phase, do not design a quote that assumes unrestricted export of a 10 kW hybrid. Ask the metro which figure binds: breaker, NMD certificate, or programme category — then program the inverter to match — NMD · NMD upgrade cost · export limit · max SSEG kW.

Zero-export interim honesty

Many homes self-use for weeks while SSEG and meter swaps crawl. That is fine if the settings and paperwork say so — it is not fine if sales promised feed-in cents from day one — zero-export · SSEG timeline · bi-directional meter · prepaid tokens.

Local follow-ups worth booking

Print your metro SSEG PDF the week you apply. Highlight the export/NMD clauses and attach them to the installer scope — Cape Town · Joburg · Tshwane · Ekurhuleni · metro tariffs.

Desk close — what to do this week

Photograph your DB and roof, export twelve months of kWh (or summer plus winter bills), write Stage priorities on one page, and request two Incl. VAT quotes that name SKUs, export mode, meter plan and who lodges SSEG. File CoC, warranties and insurer acknowledgement in one folder after handover. That pack beats any brochure PDF — get quotes · check a quote · read a quote · SSEG · CoC · declare insurance · warranties · choose installer · red flags · is solar worth it · payback · monthly savings · metro tariffs · load shedding · fixed charges.

Related reading on this desk

Continue with solar during load shedding, do I need a battery, battery for Stage 4, bi-directional meters, net metering vs net billing, export vs self-use, hybrid vs string, LiFePO4 vs NMC, usable kWh, NRS-approved inverters, hybrid brands, and home solar guide. For EV neighbours of this topic see EV charging guide · home charger cost · charge EV from solar.

Homeowner checklist before you spend

• Write the decision on one page: what problem this solves under Stage, what it costs in rand bands, and who signs the CoC.
• Ask the installer for the primary PDF (OEM, metro tariff, SSEG form) that backs any number on the quote.
• Photograph serials, labels and the DB before and after work — claims and warranty desks start there.
• Keep guest monitoring logins with the invoice so a future buyer or insurer can verify the plant.

Cross-check with choose installer · red flags · CoC · check a quote · get quotes.

Stage-weekend reality check

Model the worst Stage window you actually live through, not a brochure day. Essentials first, then comfort loads. If the plant cannot cover fridge, lights, fibre and one work laptop through that window, resize before you chase export credits — essentials · Stage strategy · Stage 4 battery · SoC settings · Stage table.

Documents to keep for five years

Invoice PDF, CoC number, dual-supply photos, export-limit screenshot, CT polarity photo, firmware version, and the guest portal login. When a fault or sale appears later, that pack beats a WhatsApp thread — labels · export limit · CT clamps · firmware · selling with solar.

Quick questions

Is there one NERSA number for every home?

Use your metro/Eskom SSEG rules and NMD — not a viral WhatsApp figure.

Can I raise the cap later?

Sometimes via NMD/phase upgrades and a new SSEG pack — budget time and fees.

What if I only want zero-export?

Still confirm whether registration and settings are required in your metro.

Sources & related

• Solar News 24 — export limit settings
• Solar News 24 — NMD
• Solar News 24 — zero-export
• Solar News 24 — SSEG registration