South African solar imports surged 438% between 2022 and 2024 as Eskom load-shedding drove residential and C&I adoption. Chinese modules dominate at ~95% share.
SA solar imports 2024
5.6 GW
97% China
TOPCon 585W CIF Durban
$0.121/W
May 2026
Import duty (HS 8541.43)
0%
ITAC exempt
VAT
15%
on landed value
NRCS approval workflow
Modules require NRCS LOA (Letter of Authority) under VC 8055. Test report from an ILAC-recognised lab, plus factory audit. Turnaround 8–12 weeks for a new SKU; most tier-1 Chinese brands hold current LOAs.
Frequently asked questions
QDo inverters need SANS 62109 certification?
Yes — grid-tied and hybrid inverters need SANS 62109-1/2 and NRS 097-2-1 for connection to distribution networks. Confirm with the specific municipality.
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