PAIA Access Manual

This PAIA manual explains which records Solar Panel Energy holds and how to request access to them. It serves homeowners, businesses, farms, solar installers and developers who need quotes, invoices, delivery notes or warranty documents. Section 51 of the PAIA Act 2 of 2000 requires private companies to publish this manual. Our postal and physical address is 204 Louis Trichardt Blvd, S. E. 1, Vanderbijlpark, 1911.

PAIA stands for the Promotion of Access to Information Act, which lets you request records held by companies.

Company and Information Officer Details

• Company: Solar Panel Energy (Pty) Ltd, registration number 2019/066312/07.
• Business: supplier and installer of inverters, lithium batteries and solar panels since 2013.
• Stock: 7 warehouses across South Africa, with nationwide delivery in 2 to 5 working days.
• Information Officer: Eileen Oosthuizen, who handles all records requests.
• Email: info@solarpanelenergy.co.za for records requests, or sales@solarpanelenergy.co.za for general queries.
• Phone: +27 81 841 7188, Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 17:00.

How to Request a Record

Use the official PAIA Form 2 request form from the Information Regulator. Form 2 replaced the older Form C under the 2021 regulations.

• Complete: fill in the PAIA request form and describe the record as clearly as possible.
• Send: email your PAIA submission to info@solarpanelenergy.co.za or post it to the address above.
• Pay: a prescribed request fee may apply, except when you ask for your own personal information.
• Wait: a decision follows within 30 days, extendable once by another 30 days.

Access fees for copies are set by government regulations and are confirmed before records are released. Fees can be paid by EFT, card, cash or PayFast. Requests for your own quotes, orders or delivery details can also follow our POPIA privacy notice.

Records Solar Panel Energy Holds

Records are grouped into the categories below. Businesses and developers often request buyer records for audits, insurance claims or project files.

• Statutory records: registration documents, director details and company registers.
• Financial and tax records: invoices, VAT returns, bank records and accounting records.
• Buyer records: quotes, orders, delivery notes, warranty documents and installation records.
• Supplier records: purchase orders, supplier invoices and import documents.
• Employee records: employment contracts, payroll and leave records.
• Website records: online orders, quote forms and cookie data.

How these records are processed is set out in our website privacy policy.

Legislation That Requires Our Records

Some records are kept because South African law requires them.

• Companies Act 71 of 2008: company registers and annual records.
• Tax Administration Act 28 of 2011: tax invoices and accounting records.
• Value-Added Tax Act 89 of 1991: VAT invoices and returns.
• Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997: payroll and working-time records.
• Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008: sales, returns and warranty records.
• Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013: records of personal data processing.

When Access May Be Refused

Refusal is allowed only on grounds listed in the Act.

• Privacy: the record holds personal information about another person.
• Commercial secrets: the record holds trade secrets or confidential supplier information.
• Safety: disclosure could endanger a person’s safety or the security of property.
• Legal privilege: the record is protected by legal professional privilege.

A refusal must give written reasons and explain your right to challenge it.

Your Options After a Refusal

You may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator or apply to court within 180 days. No internal appeal applies, because Solar Panel Energy is a private body.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the meaning of PAIA?

The Promotion of Access to Information Act lets anyone request company records. The record must be needed to exercise or protect a right.

What is the PAIA request form?

Form 2 from the Information Regulator is the official request form for records held by private companies.

How long does a PAIA request take?

A decision is due within 30 days, with one extension of up to 30 more days allowed.

How does PAIA differ from POPIA?

Access to company records falls under PAIA, while POPIA governs how personal information is collected and protected.

Questions About This PAIA Manual

Eileen Oosthuizen, our Information Officer, handles every request made under this PAIA manual. Email info@solarpanelenergy.co.za or call +27 81 841 7188 on weekdays from 08:00 to 17:00.

Use our contact us page to confirm the form for an audit or claim under this PAIA manual.

Last Updated: October 2026