A cheaper meter to sell power back to the City has been unveiled. According to the City, the new meter, for single-phase power users, is roughly 40% cheaper than the three-phase option. It costs R6 043 including VAT, compared to R10 508 for the old meter.

The unveiling of the much cheaper electricity meter for residents, who want to sell their excess solar power back to the City under the ‘Cash for Power’ programme took place this week.

Cheaper meter to sell power

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says residents can now order the meters. They can also sign up for the Cash for Power programme and in doing so, earn cash back for the excess power they sell to the City.

Hill-Lewis says, “The City will buy as much solar power as households and businesses can sell to us under the Cash for Power programme.”

He says this forms part of the City’s broader goal to end load-shedding in the Mother City, over time.

First metro in South Africa

The Mother City has become the first metro in South Africa, to buy excess solar PV power from small-scale generators. This is in exchange for municipal bill credits and cash.

He added, “Not only are we adding crucial kilowatts to our grid, we are also putting money back in the pockets of Capetonians.”

The Mayor says his team has successfully been able to procure, test and now launch this single-phase AMI meter for customers.

City: How do customers get the new meter?

The process to apply for a new single-phase AMI meter is automated if you have an SSEG application underway. If not, you can follow the Service Connection process to ask for a new meter. To submit an SSEG application, visit the City’s web page titled Apply for SSEG.

Cheaper meter to sell power

City: Important considerations

The single-phase AMI meter is not applicable to three-phase customers

Customers are required to provide the necessary metering accommodations

In some cases, customers may need to adjust their electrical supply installation.

Once the meter is installed, customers will be able to export their excess energy back to the grid and participate in the “Cash for Power” Initiative where they can obtain a municipal credit offset on their monthly bill.

READ MORE: Electrical Contractor Guidelines

Customers with authorised grid-tied SSEG systems will automatically earn credits on their electricity and rates accounts by selling power back to the City.

How to apply to get Cash for Power

If customers are interested in going above and beyond this to earn actual cash once their total municipal bill is credited down to zero, they can submit an application which will be assessed during the next window, with dates to be announced in due course.

MORE ABOUT: Cash For Power

Once a customer is registered, any remaining credit will accumulate until it reaches a certain amount and then the City will pay you out in cash.