UK Regulations
G98 DNO Notification for Balcony Solar: Complete UK Guide
Before connecting a balcony solar system to the grid, you should notify your Distribution Network Operator under the G98 standard. Here's exactly how to do it — and a directory of every UK DNO.
The key point upfront
What Is G98?
Engineering Recommendation G98 (the full title is "Requirements for the Connection of Fully Type Tested Micro-generators") is the technical standard published by the Energy Networks Association (ENA) that governs how small generators — including solar panels — connect to the low-voltage electricity distribution network.
G98 applies to generation units up to 3.68kW on a single-phase supply (which covers all domestic balcony solar systems currently on the market). Systems larger than 3.68kW fall under G99, which requires a formal application and engineering assessment rather than a simple notification.
The G98 standard requires that the inverter used in your system is "type tested" — meaning it has been certified to comply with the G98 technical requirements. All major balcony solar inverters (Hoymiles, EcoFlow PowerStream, Anker Solarbank) are G98 type tested, so this condition is met automatically when you buy a reputable system.
The G98 Notification Process: Step by Step
Find your DNO
Your DNO is the company that owns and operates the electricity cables in your area — not your electricity supplier. Use the Energy Networks Association postcode checker at energynetworks.org or check your electricity bill. The DNO is often listed on bill documents as 'network operator' or 'distribution company.'
Download or access the G98 notification form
Most DNOs provide an online portal or a downloadable PDF form. The form asks for: your name and address, the inverter make and model, the installed capacity (in kW), and the approximate installation date. Some DNOs also ask for the meter serial number.
Complete the form
Fill in the details. For the inverter, use the product name exactly as it appears on the device or manual (e.g., 'Hoymiles HM-600', 'EcoFlow PowerStream 800W', 'Anker Solarbank 2 Pro'). For capacity, use the inverter's maximum AC output — not the panel wattage. So a 600W panel system connected to an 800W micro-inverter: the inverter output is 800W, but the actual expected output cap is 600W. Use the lower figure to be conservative.
Submit the form
Submit via the online portal if available, or send the completed PDF by email to your DNO's connections team. Keep a copy for your records.
Receive acknowledgement
Most DNOs will send an acknowledgement email or letter within 1–28 days. Some respond within hours. You do not need to wait for the acknowledgement before installing — you can proceed immediately after submitting the notification. However, it's good practice to have the acknowledgement before commissioning the system if you can wait.
Keep the documentation
Keep your notification submission and the DNO's acknowledgement. If you sell your property, this documentation is useful evidence that the installation was properly notified. As the regulatory framework develops, having clean documentation will become increasingly valuable.
What to put in the form
UK DNO Directory: G98 Contacts
Find your DNO by postcode at energynetworks.org, or identify it from your electricity bill.
National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED)
South West England, East Midlands, West Midlands, East of England
Online portal available. Covers the largest geographic area of any UK DNO.
UK Power Networks (UKPN)
South East England, East of England, London
Covers London and the South East — the most densely populated DNO area and likely the highest proportion of balcony solar installations.
Northern Powergrid
North East England, Yorkshire
Serves approximately 3.9 million customers across the North East and Yorkshire.
Electricity North West (ENW)
North West England (Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Cheshire)
Covers the entire North West of England. Online G98 notification form available.
SP Energy Networks — SP Manweb
North Wales, Merseyside, Cheshire (part)
SP Energy Networks operates two distribution areas: SP Manweb (Wales and Merseyside) and SPD (Scotland South).
SP Energy Networks — SPD (ScottishPower Distribution)
Central and South Scotland
Covers central and southern Scotland including the Central Belt, Ayrshire, and Dumfries and Galloway.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) — SSE North
North of Scotland (Highlands, Islands, Grampian, Tayside, Fife)
Covers the most rural distribution area in the UK, including the Scottish islands. G98 process is the same as mainland networks.
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) — SSE South
South Central England (Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Hampshire, parts of Surrey)
Covers the south central England region — a separate distribution area to the Scottish SSEN network despite sharing a parent company.
NIE Networks
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland operates under a slightly different regulatory framework (NIAUR rather than Ofgem) but the G98 notification process is equivalent.
After You Submit Your G98 Notification
Timescale
G98 is a notification, not an application. Most DNOs aim to acknowledge within 20 working days, though many acknowledge much faster (often within 1–5 days). You don't need to wait for acknowledgement before installing your system.
What if I get no response?
If you don't receive an acknowledgement within 28 days, follow up by email. Some homeowners report never receiving a formal acknowledgement — this is a process failure on the DNO's part rather than a problem with your installation. Keep your submission email as evidence that you notified.
What to keep
Keep: your original notification submission (email or postal), the DNO's acknowledgement (email or letter), and the product data sheet for your inverter confirming it is G98 type tested. Store these with your other property documents.
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