How to check a solar installer is registered
Tony Lopes
Short answer: Ask for two numbers: the company's electrical contractor registration, and the registration of the person who will sign your Certificate of Compliance, who must be an Installation Electrician or Master Installation Electrician. Check both with the Electrical Contracting Board or the Department of Employment and Labour. Then check for PV GreenCard training and public liability insurance.
Last updated November 2026.
Anyone can print "solar installer" on a bakkie. Far fewer can legally sign off your system. In South Africa, electrical work, including solar, must be done by a registered electrical contractor, and the Certificate of Compliance (CoC) must be signed by a registered person. The Department of Employment and Labour has warned the public about fake electrical contractors more than once. These are the checks to make before you pay a deposit. They're also the checks behind our CleanVolts Approved installers.
How do I check that a solar installer is properly registered?
| Check | What to ask for | How to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical contractor registration | The company's contractor registration number | Search the Electrical Contracting Board (ECB) register, or contact a Department of Employment and Labour office |
| Registered person | The name, category and registration number of whoever will sign the CoC | Same register. Check the category and the expiry date on their card. |
| PV GreenCard | Whether their installers are PV GreenCard certified | SAPVIA's online PV GreenCard installer directory |
| Public liability insurance | A current certificate of insurance | Check the dates and cover amount, and call the insurer if in doubt |
| Track record | Two or three recent references for similar jobs | Phone them and ask about after-sales service, not just the install day |
Who can sign a solar CoC?
Registered persons come in categories, and not every category can sign off every system:
- Installation Electrician (IE) and Master Installation Electrician (MIE) can install solar systems and issue CoCs for them.
- Electrical Tester for Single Phase (ETSP) holders work on single-phase installations and are limited in what they can sign. Ask an ETSP-led company who exactly will sign your CoC.
The person who signs must have inspected and tested the installation. Be wary of anyone who says they "work under someone else's licence" without that person being involved. Our guide to what a CoC does and doesn't mean explains what you're actually getting.
Does an installer need a PV GreenCard?
Not by law. PV GreenCard is an industry programme run by SAPVIA, the solar industry association, that certifies installers who pass a competency assessment and provides an as-built report for the system. It's a good sign of solar-specific training, but it doesn't replace electrical registration or the CoC. Our guide to what PV GreenCard means for homeowners goes into more detail.
What insurance should an installer have?
At minimum, public liability insurance, which covers damage to your property or injury to others during the work. Larger contractors may also carry contractors' all-risk cover for equipment on site, and professional indemnity if they design systems. Ask for the certificate, not just a verbal yes.
How does CleanVolts vet installers?
Before an installer becomes CleanVolts Approved, we check their contractor registration and the registration of the people who sign CoCs, their insurance, and references from recent customers. We also look at how they handle after-sales and whether they register systems with the municipality or Eskom as part of the job. If something changes, the approval can be withdrawn. You can read more on our CleanVolts Approved page.
For the warning signs to walk away from, see red flags when choosing a solar installer.
Safety First
- An unregistered installation is illegal, can affect your insurance and can hold up the sale of your house.
- If you find out mid-job that the installer isn't registered, stop the work and don't pay the balance until a registered contractor has inspected it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a registered person?
An electrician registered with the Department of Employment and Labour in a specific category, such as Installation Electrician or Master Installation Electrician. Only a registered person can issue a Certificate of Compliance, and only within their category.
Does an installer need a PV GreenCard?
No, it isn't a legal requirement. It's an industry certification that shows solar-specific training and comes with an as-built report. Electrical registration and a CoC are the legal requirements.
What insurance should an installer have?
Public liability insurance at the very least. Ask for the certificate and check that it's current.
Where We Fit In
CleanVolts matches homes, businesses and farms with installers who have already passed these checks. You contract the installer directly and they issue the Certificate of Compliance. Using CleanVolts costs you nothing, and if the installer pays us a referral fee, we tell you up front.
Sources: Department of Employment and Labour warning on fake electrical contractors; EnergyBee on PV GreenCard.
