Regulations

How to Notify Your DNO About Plug-In Solar (G98 Guide)

May 2026 8 min read Updated regularly
28 days
Window to notify your DNO after installation
Free
No cost to submit a G98 notification
20 min
Total time to gather details and submit
6 DNOs
Distribution operators covering Great Britain
Quick Answer

You must notify your local DNO within 28 days of installing plug-in solar. G98 is the notification process — you install first, then tell your DNO after the fact. The DNO cannot refuse.

  • Your inverter must be G98 type-tested — check the ENA register before you submit
  • If not, you can do it yourself online in about 20 minutes
  • Missing the window can cause complications with insurance, smart meters, or property sale

Download the G98 Compliance Checklist (PDF)

Step-by-step checklist for installing and registering your kit. Includes DNO table and email template.

We'll email you the download link. No spam.

What is G98 and why do I need to do it?

G98 is the Engineering Recommendation from the Energy Networks Association that governs how small generators — including plug-in solar kits — connect to the UK grid. Any generator under 3.68 kW single-phase falls under G98. All 800 W plug-in solar kits qualify.

The notification works like this: you install first, then tell your DNO (Distribution Network Operator) that a small generator is now on their network. You are not asking for permission. You are informing them after the fact.

DNOs manage grid stability. Knowing how many small generators are operating in an area helps them plan for power flows in both directions. G98 notification is a legal requirement — not an optional extra.

The takeaway: G98 notification is free, takes 20 minutes, and is legally required within 28 days of installation. Install first, notify after.

The full process at a glance

Total time: about 20 minutes once you have your details gathered.

Process summary G98 NOTIFICATION — 4 STEPS · ~20 MINUTES · FREE
Step 1
Gather your details
MPAN, inverter info, commissioning date
Step 2
Fill in the form
Use our template or your DNO's portal
Step 3
Email your DNO
Attach form, use template below
Step 4
Save confirmation
Reference number within 5–10 working days
All four steps must be completed within 28 days of commissioning — the date you first switched the kit on.
Save your confirmation email and reference number. You may need it for insurance, property sale, or smart meter installation.

What you'll need before you start

Most DNO portals take about 20 minutes if you have everything to hand. Gather these six things before you start.

Reference card HAVE THESE READY BEFORE YOU START

Your MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number)

13-digit number on your electricity bill — see the "How to find your MPAN" section below.

Inverter make, model, and serial number

e.g. Hoymiles HM-800. All three fields are on the label on the inverter body.

Inverter's ENA Type Test reference number

Found on the ENA device database at connect-direct.energynetworks.org — see Section 6 below for how to look it up.

Your DNO's contact details and portal URL

See the DNO table in Section 7 below. Six operators cover Great Britain — one covers your area.

Commissioning date

The exact date you first switched the kit on. Note it down on installation day — your 28-day window starts here.

Energy source code (R/11 for solar)

The G98 form asks you to classify the generation type. For standard plug-in solar: R/11. See the codes table in Section 8 if you have a battery.

Download the G98 Compliance Checklist PDF to keep this list handy on installation day.

How to find your MPAN

Your MPAN is a 13-digit number that uniquely identifies your electricity supply point. It's on your electricity bill — look for "Supply Number" or the large "S" grid symbol. It's also in your energy supplier's app under account or meter details.

Diagram WHERE YOUR MPAN APPEARS ON YOUR BILL
Your electricity bill — supply details
Account number A-12345678
Tariff Standard Variable
Meter serial number M00123456
Supply Number (MPAN) — 13 digits
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2

Your MPAN will be different — this is an example only. The number has exactly 13 digits.

Can't find it? Call your energy supplier and ask for your MPAN — they must provide it. It's also in your online account under "Meter details".
The MPAN is sometimes called "Supply Number" or printed near a grid/lightning bolt symbol on your bill.

How to check your inverter is G98 type tested

Before you can submit a G98 notification, your inverter must appear on the ENA's Type Test register. This confirms the device has been safety-tested for UK grid connection. Here's how to check:

1

Go to the ENA device database

Visit connect-direct.energynetworks.org/device-databases/search-gen — this is the official register of all G98-approved generators.

2

Search by manufacturer name

Type the manufacturer name — e.g. Hoymiles, EcoFlow, Deye, Anker, APsystems. The search is partial-match so you don't need the full name.

3

Find your exact model

Match the model number exactly as it appears on your inverter label. Different wattages (HM-600 vs HM-800) are separate entries.

4

Copy the registered capacity and system reference number

Note the registered AC capacity (e.g. 0.8 kW) and the system reference number. You'll enter both on your G98 form — use the registered capacity, not your panel's DC rating.

If your inverter isn't listed, G98 is not available to you. You would need the G99 route — a significantly heavier prior-approval process. This is why checking the register before buying matters. Return the inverter and buy a type-tested one.

Which DNO covers my area?

Six DNOs cover Great Britain. Find yours below, or use the ENA postcode lookup at energynetworks.org for a definitive result.

DNO table SIX DISTRIBUTION NETWORK OPERATORS
DNO Covers Notification portal
UK Power Networks London, South East, East of England ukpowernetworks.co.uk
National Grid Electricity Distribution Midlands, South West, Wales nationalgrid.com/electricity-distribution
Northern Powergrid North East England, Yorkshire northernpowergrid.com
SP Energy Networks Central Scotland; Merseyside, Cheshire & North Wales spenergynetworks.co.uk
Electricity North West Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester enwl.co.uk
SSEN (SSE Networks) North of Scotland; Hampshire & Isle of Wight ssen.co.uk
National Grid Electricity Distribution was formerly called Western Power Distribution — you may see both names on older documents.
The takeaway: Six DNOs, each with their own online portal. Use the ENA postcode lookup if you are unsure which one covers your area.

How do I fill in the G98 form?

Download a blank G98 form from your DNO's website, or use our template below. Most fields are straightforward — name, address, MPAN, inverter details. Two fields trip people up:

Energy source and technology codes

The form asks you to classify your generation type using a code. Use the table below:

Reference table ENERGY SOURCE AND TECHNOLOGY CODES
Your setup Code Meaning
Panels + inverter (no battery) R/11 Solar / Photovoltaic
Panels + inverter + battery R/11 + 38 Solar + Li-ion storage
Battery only (no panels) S/38 Stored energy / Li-ion
If in doubt, R/11 is correct for the vast majority of plug-in solar kits sold in the UK.

Getting your phase capacity right

This is your total generation on that phase, not per-inverter. Most UK homes are single-phase — everything goes on Phase 1.

Phase capacity examples
  • One 800 W inverter = 0.8 kW
  • Two 800 W inverters = 1.6 kW
  • One 800 W + one 600 W = 1.4 kW
📄
Download: Blank G98 Form Template (Word)
Pre-formatted with all required fields. Fill in your details and send to your DNO.
Download .docx

How do I send my G98 notification to my DNO?

Once your form is filled in, email it to your DNO. Keep it short — they process hundreds of these. Copy the template below, replace the bracketed fields, and attach your completed G98 form.

Attach your completed G98 form as a PDF or Word document. Most DNOs also accept submissions through their online portal — check the links in the DNO table above. You should receive an acknowledgement within 5–10 working days. Save that confirmation email and its reference number.

Frequently asked questions

Is G98 notification the same as getting permission?
No. You do not need permission to install plug-in solar. G98 notification is exactly that — notification, not an application. You install first, then inform your DNO within 28 days. The DNO cannot refuse a compliant installation.
What is the difference between G98 and G99?
G98 covers generators under 3.68 kW single-phase — which includes all 800 W plug-in solar kits. G99 covers larger systems above that threshold and requires prior written approval from the DNO before installation. Every domestic plug-in solar kit falls under G98, not G99.
Do I need to notify if I am a renter?
Yes. The G98 notification is linked to the metering point, not to property ownership. As the person who installed the kit, you are responsible for notifying the DNO. Your landlord's consent for the installation is a separate matter — see our renters' guide for that.
What happens if I do not notify within 28 days?
Your kit runs unregistered. Nothing usually happens immediately. But when you get a smart meter installed, have a grid fault investigated, make an insurance claim, or sell your home, the absence of a G98 record can cause delays and questions. It is a 20-minute task. There is no reason to skip it.
What if my inverter isn't on the ENA Type Test Register?
Then G98 isn't available to you. You'd need the G99 route, which is a much heavier approval process requiring DNO sign-off before installation. This is exactly why buying a type-tested inverter matters — check the ENA database before you buy. If you've already purchased a non-type-tested unit, return it and buy one that is registered.
Do I need to include a wiring diagram?
G98 doesn't require one, but some DNOs appreciate it. If you want to include one, a simple sketch showing panels → inverter → socket → consumer unit is sufficient. It's more likely to be requested if your setup is unusual — e.g. multiple inverters or a battery system.
📋
G98 Checklist PDF

Step-by-step installation and notification checklist with DNO table.

📄
G98 Form Template

Blank form pre-formatted with all required fields. Fill in and send.

📧
DNO Email Template

Copy-paste email for submitting your notification to your DNO.

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