South Africa NRS 097-2-1: A Microinverter SSEG Document Pack

Selling a microinverter into South Africa requires more than a generic IEC certificate. Small-scale embedded generation approval is handled through the relevant distributor or municipality, with product evidence and installation documents matched to the specific site.

Eskom's SSEG guidance identifies a Certificate of Compliance, NRS 097-2-1 type-test certificate and embedded-generation installation report among the core documents. Municipal processes and approved-equipment lists can add their own controls.

Identify the electricity distributor first

Record whether the site is supplied by Eskom or a municipality, the service voltage, phase arrangement, existing generation/storage, proposed capacity and export behavior. Obtain the current application route directly from that authority.

Do not use one city's approved-inverter list as national approval. The City of Cape Town publishes its own list and states that listing does not guarantee suitability for a particular installation.

Make the type-test evidence traceable

The NRS 097-2-1 certificate/report package should identify exact manufacturer, model, rating and tested configuration. Confirm the edition accepted by the local authority and whether firmware or hardware conditions apply.

Supplier document	Review point
Type-test certificate	Exact model and current standard edition
Test report reference	Laboratory and configuration traceability
Datasheet/nameplate	Ratings match certificate
Installation manual	South African wiring/profile instructions
Grid profile	Protected, approved parameter set
Declaration/change log	Hardware and firmware control

Anti-islanding is part of the grid-interface evidence but should not be used as shorthand for the whole type test. See the anti-islanding evidence guide.

Provide project documents, not only product documents

The installer typically needs a single-line diagram, inverter schedule, module allocation, protection details, earthing arrangement, meter information and export-control design where applicable. The registered professional and authority define the required sign-off.

Confirm phase allocation for multiple single-phase units. The grid voltage and phase guide helps prevent a collection of single-phase products being misrepresented as a native three-phase inverter.

Verify list status before shipment

Search the responsible authority's current approved-equipment list for the exact model and suffix. Save the entry and date checked. If the model is absent, clarify the submission and review process before promising delivery or approval dates.

A list entry can be updated or removed, and project approval can still depend on site conditions. Make the quotation conditional on the current authority response.

Control installation and commissioning records

Provide a controlled country-profile procedure, connector/BOM list and commissioning checklist. Record serial numbers, firmware, settings, protection tests and any export-management function. Keep the issued Certificate of Compliance and EGI documentation with the owner handover.

Eskom announced simplified compliance measures in late 2025, but customers should use the current official route for their supply area rather than assuming every project follows the same process.

Send the supply authority, site single-line, model quantity and export requirement through TMG Contact. TMG can prepare the product evidence matrix while the registered installer and electricity distributor complete site approval.