G98 Solar Notification: What It Is, When You Need It and How to Apply

If you’ve received a quote for solar panels, you’ve probably seen a reference to “G98” somewhere in the paperwork. It sounds technical, but the concept is simple: G98 is the official notification that tells your local electricity network that a small generator — your solar panels — has been connected. In the vast majority of domestic installations, your MCS-certified installer handles every part of this process. Knowing what G98 actually is helps you ask the right questions and confirm everything has been done correctly.

What is G98?

G98 is Engineering Recommendation ER G98, published by the Energy Networks Association (ENA). The full title is Requirements for the Connection of Fully Type Tested Micro-generators. It sets the technical and procedural rules for connecting small generators — including solar PV systems, battery inverters and wind turbines — to the UK’s low-voltage distribution network.

The “G98 notification” is the formal message an installer sends to the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) confirming that a compliant micro-generator has been connected. Because G98-compliant equipment has already passed type-testing, the DNO cannot refuse the connection — they simply need to know it is on their network. The process is free of charge.

G98 vs G99: which applies to your system?

The threshold is 3.68 kW on a single-phase supply (16 A per phase). A typical 4–6 panel rooftop system sits right around that figure, so it is worth confirming with your installer which standard applies to your design.

• G98 — micro-generator notification: applies to systems up to 3.68 kW single-phase or up to 11.04 kW three-phase. The installer installs first, then notifies the DNO within 28 days. No fee, no prior approval required.
• G99 — larger system application: applies to any single-phase system above 3.68 kW, and to most battery storage systems that push export above the threshold. Unlike G98, G99 requires the installer to apply to the DNO before installation begins. Approval takes 4–8 weeks and may involve fees or network reinforcement work, depending on the DNO and system size. A fast-track route (approximately 2 weeks) is available for some G99 cases.

In practice, a 4 kWp system with a battery will often trigger G99 rather than G98. Your installer will advise which applies — if you are adding a battery installation to an existing solar array, ask specifically whether the combined export capacity pushes you into G99 territory.

What does G98 notification involve?

G98 uses a “fit and inform” model. The installer commissions the system, then submits a notification to the DNO — typically via an online portal — within 28 days of connection. The notification includes:

• The property address and connection details.
• Technical information about the inverter and panel specification (make, model, rated output).
• Evidence that the equipment is fully type-tested and G98-compliant.
• A single-line electrical diagram.

The DNO acknowledges receipt (usually within 5–20 working days) and adds the generation unit to their network records. They cannot reject a valid G98 notification — there is no approval to wait for. The 28-day clock starts from the date the system first exports electricity to the network.

Who sends the G98 notification — you or your installer?

Almost always, your installer. The Energy Networks Association framework places responsibility for the G98 notification on the “competent person” connecting the generator — in a domestic context, that is your MCS-certified or NAPIT-registered installer. The process is part of their standard commissioning checklist, and most reputable installers submit the notification before or on the day of commissioning rather than waiting for the 28-day deadline. Many use specialist solar design software that automates G98 and G99 form generation as part of the design workflow.

As a homeowner, you do not need to log in to any portal or complete any forms. What you should do is ask your installer to confirm in writing that the G98 notification has been submitted, and request a copy of the acknowledgement letter or reference number once the DNO responds. Keep that document with your MCS certificate — you will need it if you ever apply for solar grants or Smart Export Guarantee payments, or if you sell the property.

The exception is a DIY install by a qualified electrician who is not part of a competent person scheme — in that case, the homeowner may need to arrange building regulations sign-off and the G98 notification independently. If you are considering a DIY route, seek professional guidance before you begin.

What is a DNO and which one covers your area?

A Distribution Network Operator (DNO) is the licensed company that owns and operates the electricity cables, transformers and substations that bring power to your street. The DNO is not the same as your energy supplier. Your energy supplier bills you for electricity; your DNO manages the physical network infrastructure.

Great Britain is divided into 14 distribution network regions managed by six main DNO groups:

• UK Power Networks — South East England, East of England, London.
• National Grid Electricity Distribution (formerly Western Power Distribution) — Midlands, South West England, Wales.
• Northern Powergrid — North East England, Yorkshire.
• Electricity North West — North West England.
• Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) — South of England, North of Scotland.
• SP Energy Networks (Scottish Power) — Central and Southern Scotland, Merseyside, Cheshire.

You can find your DNO using the Energy Networks Association’s postcode lookup at energynetworks.org. Your installer will already know which DNO to contact for your address.

G98 and plug-in solar panels

BS 7671 Amendment 4, which took effect on 15 April 2026, legalised plug-in solar systems in the UK for the first time under a clear regulatory framework. Compliant systems are capped at 800 W — well below the 3.68 kW G98 threshold — so G98 notification does apply to these systems.

Under the current rules, “plug-in solar” in the UK means a system hardwired by a CPS-registered electrician to a dedicated circuit on the consumer unit (the fully socket-plug version awaits a separate BSI product standard expected around mid-2026). The G98 notification is submitted by the electrician carrying out that wiring work, typically on the day of commissioning.

If you are weighing up a plug-in solar panel system, make sure any installer you approach is familiar with BS 7671 Amendment 4 and can confirm they will handle the G98 notification as part of the job. A compliant, notified installation is a legal installation — and that distinction matters if you ever need to claim on your home insurance.

Does G98 affect your Smart Export Guarantee eligibility?

Yes — G98 (or G99) notification is one of the eligibility conditions for SEG payments. To receive payments under the Smart Export Guarantee, your system must hold a valid MCS certificate and have a confirmed DNO connection notification (G98 or G99). Without a G98 acknowledgement on file, SEG suppliers cannot activate export payments, regardless of how much electricity your panels are generating.

This is another reason to keep a copy of the DNO acknowledgement. If your installer submits G98 and you do not receive a copy, contact your DNO directly with the reference number to request written confirmation.

What if G98 was never submitted for your system?

If your installer did not submit the G98 notification, the system is technically operating outside the terms of the connection agreement — even if the panels are working perfectly. The practical consequences can include:

• SEG payments blocked. Suppliers require DNO registration evidence before activating export payments.
• Home insurance complications. A non-notified system may not be covered under your buildings or contents policy if you need to make a claim related to the installation.
• Property sale delays. A buyer’s solicitor will ask for the DNO notification document during conveyancing. A missing G98 record is a legal issue that can stall or reduce the sale.

If you discover G98 was never filed for an existing system, contact your original installer in the first instance — they should be able to submit a late notification. Alternatively, contact your DNO directly; most operators have a process for retrospective notification, and there is no prescribed penalty for a late submission under G98 provided the equipment itself is compliant.

If you are planning a new installation and want to confirm everything will be handled correctly, get quotes from vetted MCS-certified installers who will manage the G98 process as a standard part of commissioning.