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DNO Notification for Plug-In Solar: UK G98 Form Guide 2026
G98 notification is the process by which UK homeowners and renters inform their Distribution Network Operator (DNO) that they have installed a small grid-connected electricity generator — including plug-in solar panels — on their property. For systems under 3.68kW (which covers every balcony solar kit), this is a straightforward online form that most DNOs process within a few working days.
June 2026 update: The BSI consultation on the UK plug-in solar product standard closes 30 June 2026. Under the regulations being finalised, fully BSI-certified sub-800W kits may qualify for a simplified notification route that removes the G98 requirement entirely — meaning no form, no DNO contact needed for certified kits. This is not yet confirmed. Until a certified kit with an exemption exists, G98 notification remains required. We will update this guide immediately when the position is confirmed.
Use our free DNO / G98 checker — enter your inverter output and get an instant answer on whether you need a simple G98 notification or a full G99 application.
Quick Facts - What it is: A formal notification to your local electricity network operator that you've installed a small solar generator - Who must do it: Anyone connecting a plug-in solar system to the UK grid — including 800W balcony kits - When to do it: Within 28 days of installation (post-connection, not pre-approval) - How long it takes: 10–20 minutes to complete the form; DNO processes it within 1–5 working days - Cost: Free - What happens if you don't: Your installation is technically non-compliant; your household insurer may not cover damage related to the system
What Is a DNO and Why Do They Need to Know?
Your DNO is the company that physically delivers electricity to your home — separate from your energy supplier. They need to know about your solar installation for grid safety and stability reasons, but this is a notification, not an approval: you do not need their permission to install an 800W plug-in system.
Your Distribution Network Operator is the company that owns and maintains the cables, substations, and local electricity infrastructure that delivers power to your home. They are separate from your energy supplier (the company you pay your bills to) — your supplier sells you electricity; your DNO physically delivers it.
The UK has 14 DNO licensed areas, each managed by one of six companies: UK Power Networks, Western Power Distribution (now National Grid Electricity Distribution), SP Energy Networks, Northern Powergrid, Elia UK (formerly Electricity North West), and Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution.
The DNO needs to know about your solar installation because:
- Grid stability: A large number of small generators feeding electricity into a local network can affect voltage levels. DNOs need to monitor this at scale, even if a single 800W system has negligible individual impact.
- Engineer safety: If an engineer works on cables near your property believing them to be de-energised, an unnotified solar system feeding electricity into those cables could cause injury or death. Anti-islanding protection in compliant microinverters prevents this technically, but notification ensures the network record is accurate.
- Future grid management: The government's smart energy transition requires accurate data on distributed generation across the network.
Critically: G98 notification is a notification, not an approval process. You do not need permission from your DNO to connect an 800W plug-in solar system. You notify them after installation, within 28 days.
G98 vs G99: Which Applies to You?
For a standard balcony solar kit under 800W, G98 applies — a simple post-installation notification form, not an application or approval process. G99 is for larger systems and does not apply here.
The UK grid connection standards for small generators are:
G98: For systems up to 3.68kW (single-phase). This covers all standard balcony solar kits (typically 800W). G98 is a simple notification — you fill in a form and submit it. No application, no fee, no approval needed.
G99: For systems over 3.68kW or with specific technical requirements. This requires a formal application process, engineering review, and potentially several months of waiting. Not relevant for plug-in balcony solar.
G100: A newer standard that may apply to systems with smart energy management features or batteries that actively manage import/export. As of April 2026, the application of G100 to domestic plug-in solar is still being clarified. For a standard 800W system without battery, G98 applies. If you have a Solarbank 2 or Zendure with active grid optimisation, check with your DNO whether G98 or G100 applies.
How to Find Your DNO
You do not choose your DNO — it is determined by your property's location. Every postcode in England, Scotland, and Wales is assigned to one of the 14 licensed distribution areas.
Three ways to find your DNO:
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Energy Networks Association postcode lookup: Visit www.energynetworks.org/customers/find-my-network-operator and enter your postcode. Returns your DNO name and contact details in seconds.
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Your electricity bill: Your DNO is sometimes printed on your bill (not to be confused with your supplier). Look for "network operator" or "distribution company."
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Call 105: The free UK power cut helpline connects you to your local DNO from any phone. Explain that you want to identify your DNO for a solar notification — they can confirm and direct you to the right notification portal.
UK DNOs by Region
| Region | DNO | Notification Portal |
|---|---|---|
| London, South East, East England | UK Power Networks (EPN/SPN/LPN) | ukpowernetworks.co.uk/notification |
| South West, South Wales, Midlands, East Midlands | National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) | nationalgrid.com/electricity-distribution |
| North West England | Electricity North West | electricitynorthwest.co.uk |
| Yorkshire | Northern Powergrid | northernpowergrid.com |
| North East England | Northern Powergrid | northernpowergrid.com |
| Merseyside, Cheshire | SP Energy Networks (SPD) | spenergynetworks.co.uk |
| Scotland (Central, Southern) | SP Energy Networks (SPD) | spenergynetworks.co.uk |
| Scotland (North, Highlands, Islands) | Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution (SHEPD) | ssen.co.uk |
What You Need Before You Start the Form
Most DNO G98 forms ask for the same information. Gather the following before opening the form:
About your property: - Full address and postcode - MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) — the 13-digit number on your electricity bill, or contact your supplier if you can't find it
About your system: - Manufacturer and model of the microinverter (e.g., "Hoymiles HMS-800-2T" or "EcoFlow STREAM Microinverter") - Rated AC output in watts (e.g., 800W) - Number of panels - Whether the system includes battery storage and its capacity - Installation date
Documentation (you may need to attach): - A copy of the microinverter's technical datasheet or declaration of conformity confirming G98/EN 50549-1 compliance - A simple wiring schematic — most kit manufacturers provide a standard diagram
All reputable microinverter brands (Hoymiles, APsystems, EcoFlow, Anker SOLIX) provide downloadable documentation on their websites. Download this before you buy, as some sellers don't include paper copies.
Step-by-Step G98 Notification Process
The process varies slightly by DNO, but the general steps are consistent across all 14 areas:
Step 1: Install your system
Connect your panels, mount the microinverter, plug in the connection cable. You do not need to notify before you start using the system — the 28-day window begins on installation.
Step 2: Find your DNO
Use the Energy Networks Association postcode lookup at energynetworks.org. Write down your DNO's name and note the notification portal URL.
Step 3: Locate your MPAN
Your MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) is the 13-digit reference number for your electricity supply point. It is printed on your electricity bill — look for a box labelled "supply number" or "MPAN." If you can't find it, call your energy supplier; they'll give it to you immediately.
Step 4: Download your inverter's technical datasheet
Go to the manufacturer's website and download the datasheet for your specific inverter model. This is the document the DNO may ask you to attach to confirm the system meets G98 requirements. For Hoymiles: hoymiles.com → Products → Datasheet. For EcoFlow: ecoflow.com/uk → STREAM → Technical Specs. For APsystems: emea.apsystems.com → Products → DS3 → Downloads.
Step 5: Complete the G98 notification form
Navigate to your DNO's notification portal. Most have a dedicated online form for small generation registrations (sometimes called "micro-generation registration" or "small distributed generation notification").
The form typically takes 10–20 minutes to complete. You'll enter: - Property address and MPAN - System type (plug-in solar) - Microinverter manufacturer, model, and rated output - Installation date - Whether battery storage is included
Some DNOs still accept paper forms by post. Check their website if the online form is unavailable.
Step 6: Submit and save your reference number
After submission, you'll receive a reference number (by email or on-screen). Save this. You may need it if your insurer asks for proof of notification, or if the DNO has a query.
Step 7: Wait for DNO acknowledgement
For G98 systems under 3.68kW, most DNOs process notifications within 1–5 working days and send a confirmation email. You do not need to wait for this confirmation before using your system — you notified them, and the obligation is met at the point of submission.
What Happens If You Don't Notify Your DNO?
Skipping G98 notification does not immediately result in a fine or enforcement action — DNOs do not actively monitor new installations. However:
Insurance: Most home insurers require notification of any modifications to your electrical installation. A solar system connected without proper notification gives an insurer grounds to reduce or reject a claim related to the system (or to home electrical damage generally). This is the most practical risk.
Grid liability: If your system causes a fault on the local network — unlikely but not impossible — and the DNO investigates, an un-notified installation complicates the liability position. A notified installation that caused a fault due to equipment failure points to the manufacturer; an un-notified installation raises questions about the owner's compliance.
Compliance when selling the property: A future buyer's solicitor may ask about modifications to the electrical installation. A solar system without a G98 notification on record could delay or complicate a property sale.
Practical risk level: Low in the short term; a genuine risk if you ever need to make an insurance claim or sell the property.
The form takes 15 minutes. Submit it.
What's Changing: The Simplified Registration Pathway (June 2026)
This section has been updated to reflect the latest position as of June 2026. The current G98 notification process was designed for professional installers, not for consumers plugging in a kitchen appliance. It involves technical terminology, MPAN numbers, and inverter datasheets — reasonable for a solar installer, unnecessarily complex for a renter with a single 800W kit.
The UK government has acknowledged this. As part of the March 2026 plug-in solar announcement, Ofgem and the Energy Networks Association were asked to develop a simplified consumer registration pathway for plug-in solar devices.
What this is likely to look like: a single national online form (possibly through a gov.uk service), asking only for postcode, product name, and installation date — with automatic routing to the correct DNO. This would replace the current fragmented 14-DNO process.
As of June 2026, the BSI consultation period closes 30 June. There are two possible outcomes:
- G98 stays, but simplified: A single national form (likely through gov.uk), asking only for postcode, product name, and installation date — replacing the current 14-DNO fragmented process.
- G98 removed entirely for certified kits: Under the regulations being finalised, BSI-certified sub-800W systems may qualify for an exemption — meaning buy, mount, plug in, and you're done. No form required.
Until either pathway is confirmed and a certified kit exists, use the DNO-specific portal as described above. We will update this page the moment the position is confirmed — likely within weeks of the consultation closing.
Is Balcony Solar Legal in the UK?
G98 Notification for Renters
If you're a renter, the G98 notification process is identical to the homeowner process. You are the person installing the system; you are the one who submits the notification.
However, you should also be aware that notifying the DNO does not substitute for getting your landlord's permission to install the system. These are separate requirements. Landlord permission is about your tenancy agreement and lease conditions; DNO notification is about the electricity network. You need both.
If you're writing to your landlord for permission and want to reference regulatory compliance, you can mention that the system will be G98-notified with the DNO — this may reassure a hesitant landlord that the installation is being handled in an officially recognised way.
FAQs
Q: Do I need to notify my DNO before or after installing balcony solar? A: After. G98 is a post-installation notification, not a pre-approval. You have 28 days from the date of installation to submit the form. You can use your system immediately after installing it.
Q: My DNO's online form won't let me complete it — it asks for information I don't have. What should I do? A: Call your DNO directly. Most have a dedicated small generation or microgeneration team. If you explain you have an 800W plug-in solar kit, they can guide you through the process or take the notification over the phone. For some DNOs, emailing a simple notification letter with your address, MPAN, and inverter details is also accepted.
Q: Is a G98 notification the same as planning permission? A: No. G98 is an electrical network notification to your DNO. Planning permission is a separate matter controlled by your local planning authority. For most balcony solar installations, permitted development rights mean planning permission is not required — but this is a separate question from G98 compliance. Is Balcony Solar Legal in the UK?
Q: How long does the DNO take to process a G98 notification? A: Typically 1–5 working days for an acknowledgement. For G98 systems (under 3.68kW), there is no engineering review — the DNO simply records your installation on their network database. You do not need to wait for their acknowledgement before using your system.
Q: If I move house, do I need to submit a new G98 notification? A: Yes. The G98 notification is tied to the property address and MPAN. If you take your plug-in solar system to a new address, you submit a new notification for that address within 28 days of reinstalling.
Q: Does adding a battery to an existing notified system require a new G98? A: Potentially. If you add a battery with active grid management features (like the Anker Solarbank 2 or Zendure Hyper 2000), you may need to update your DNO registration. Adding a passive battery (that simply stores solar energy without actively managing grid import/export) generally doesn't require a new notification. If in doubt, contact your DNO — they can advise without penalty.
Q: Is G98 notification required in Northern Ireland? A: Northern Ireland has a separate electricity network (operated by NIE Networks) and different regulatory framework from Great Britain. The G98 standard does not apply in Northern Ireland, which uses its own network connection procedures. Contact NIE Networks directly for guidance on connecting small generators.