PAIA Access Manual

Solar Panel Energy is committed to transparency and compliance with the Promotion of Access to Information Act, 2000 (PAIA). This manual explains how you can request access to records held by our company, the types of records we maintain, and the procedures we follow when processing access requests.

Purpose of This Manual

PAIA gives effect to the constitutional right of access to information held by public and private bodies. This manual is prepared in terms of Section 51 of PAIA and sets out the procedures, categories of records, and contact details for anyone wishing to exercise their right to access information held by Solar Panel Energy.

Company Particulars and Information Officer

Registered company name: Solar Panel Energy
Registration number: 2019/066312/07
Business type: Pty Ltd
VAT number: 4600287983

Information Officer: Eileen Oosthuizen
Contact person: Patrick Terblanche (Sales Manager)
Email: sales@solarpanelenergy.co.za
Telephone: +27 81 841 7188

Physical address:
204 Louis Trichardt Blvd
S. E. 1, Vanderbijlpark
1911, South Africa

Postal address:
204 Louis Trichardt Blvd
S. E. 1, Vanderbijlpark
1911, South Africa

You can view our location on Google Maps.

How to Request Access to a Record

Any person wishing to access a record held by Solar Panel Energy must complete the prescribed Form C as set out in Annexure B of the PAIA Regulations. The request must:

Be made in writing on the official PAIA request form
Provide sufficient detail to enable us to identify the record
Specify the form in which access is required (inspection, copy, transcript, etc.)
State the postal or email address of the requester
Identify the right the requester seeks to exercise or protect, and explain why the record is required
Be accompanied by payment of the prescribed request fee (if applicable)

Submit your completed request form to our Information Officer at sales@solarpanelenergy.co.za or by post to the address above. We will respond within 30 days of receiving a valid request, as required by PAIA.

Categories of Records Held by Solar Panel Energy

We hold records relating to our operations as a supplier and installer of solar energy systems across South Africa. The main categories include:

Customer and Sales Records

Customer contact details and correspondence
Quotations, invoices, and proof of payment
Delivery notes and consignment records
Warranty claims and service records
Installation reports and site visit documentation

Financial and Accounting Records

Banking details and transaction records
Tax records, VAT returns, and SARS correspondence
Supplier invoices and purchase orders
Annual financial statements

Operational and Product Records

Stock and inventory records for inverters, batteries, solar panels, and accessories
Product specifications, technical data sheets, and compliance certificates
Supplier agreements and brand authorisations
Installation guidelines and system design documentation

Human Resources and Employment Records

Employee contracts, payroll, and leave records
Training and certification records for installation teams
Health and safety documentation

Statutory and Compliance Records

Company registration documents (CIPC)
POPIA compliance documentation and privacy notices
Insurance policies and claims
Licensing and regulatory correspondence

For more information on how we handle personal data, please refer to our POPIA Notice and Privacy Policy.

Records Available Under Other Legislation

Certain records held by Solar Panel Energy may be accessed in terms of other South African legislation, including:

Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA) – data subject access requests
Companies Act, 2008 – company registration and financial records
Value-Added Tax Act, 1991 – VAT records and invoices
Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 1997 – employment records
Consumer Protection Act, 2008 – consumer complaints and warranty claims

Where applicable legislation provides a specific mechanism for accessing records, that process should be followed instead of a PAIA request.

Grounds for Refusal of Access

Solar Panel Energy may refuse access to a record on the grounds set out in Chapter 4 of PAIA, including but not limited to:

Mandatory protection of privacy of a third party (Section 63)
Mandatory protection of commercial information of a third party (Section 64)
Protection of confidential information of third parties (Section 65)
Protection of the commercial information of the company (Section 68)
Protection of research information (Section 69)
Requests that are manifestly frivolous, vexatious, or would require unreasonable diversion of resources (Section 45)

If your request is refused, we will provide written reasons for the refusal in accordance with PAIA.

Remedies Available if Access Is Refused

If your request for access is refused, you have the right to:

Apply to a court with appropriate jurisdiction for relief within 180 days of notification of the decision
Lodge an internal appeal (if applicable)
Lodge a complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC)

The SAHRC can be contacted at:
Telephone: +27 11 877 3600
Email: PAIA@sahrc.org.za
Website: www.sahrc.org.za

Fees

PAIA prescribes fees for requesting and accessing records. A request fee is payable when the request is lodged (currently R50.00 for non-personal requests), and an access fee is payable if the request is granted, calculated according to the prescribed tariffs in the PAIA Regulations. Payment details will be provided when your request is acknowledged.

Contact Us for Queries

If you have any questions about this manual or need assistance completing a PAIA request, please contact us:

Information Officer: Eileen Oosthuizen
Email: sales@solarpanelenergy.co.za
Telephone: +27 81 841 7188
WhatsApp: +27 74 305 2967

Solar Panel Energy is a leading South African supplier and installer of solar inverters, lithium batteries, and solar panels. We stock trusted brands including Deye, Luxpower, Dyness, Gotion, Hinaess Powergem, JA Solar, Jinko Solar, and Longi. Our team designs and installs hybrid, off-grid, and grid-tied solar systems across Gauteng and the Vaal Triangle, including Vanderbijlpark, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Vereeniging, Sasolburg, and Meyerton, with off-grid solutions for farms and smallholdings. We offer free quotes, system sizing, site visits, and nationwide delivery in 2–5 working days from our warehouses in Vanderbijlpark, Midrand, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, and Nelspruit. Learn more about us or view our terms and conditions.

Legal Disclaimer

This PAIA manual is provided as a starting template to assist requesters in understanding their rights and our procedures. It should be reviewed by a qualified legal professional before being relied upon for compliance purposes. Solar Panel Energy reserves the right to update this manual from time to time in line with legislative changes and operational requirements.

Last updated: 14 July 2026