G98 & DNO Notification Guide

What is G98?

G98 is the Engineering Recommendation published by the Energy Networks Association that governs how small-scale electricity generators, including plug-in solar systems, connect to the UK grid. Its official title is Engineering Recommendation G98: Requirements for the Connection of Fully Type Tested Micro-generators (up to and including 16A per phase) in Parallel with a Public Low Voltage Distribution Network.

In practice, for a standard 800W plug-in solar kit, G98 means two things: your equipment must meet the technical standard, and you must notify your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) that you have connected a generator to their network. Since 27 August 2026, under SI 2026 No. 848 and the amended G98 that Ofgem approved on 11 August 2026, a kit listed as Compliant on the ENA G98 Type Test Register may be plugged into an ordinary 13A socket and self-notified afterwards. A kit that is not on the register still needs a CPS-registered electrician and a hardwired connection to your consumer unit.

The rule is "connect and notify", not "seek permission." You connect, then notify. The DNO does not need to approve your installation before you switch on.

Who needs to notify?

Any grid-connected inverter system needs G98 notification. For plug-in solar, this means:

• Any system up to 3.68kW (16A per phase) on a single-phase supply, which covers all domestic plug-in kits
• Systems connected to the public low-voltage distribution network (i.e., any standard UK domestic property)

Systems with a total AC output of 800W or less that are installed in line with BS 7671:2018 + Amendment 4:2026 fall squarely within G98. If you plugged in a register-listed kit yourself, you submit the notification yourself, which is what the amended G98 calls consumer self-notification. If a CPS-registered electrician handled the connection, they will typically complete or assist with the notification as part of their service. Confirm that with them before work begins.

When to notify

You must notify your DNO within 28 days of connecting the system to the grid. The 28-day clock starts when the system first exports electricity to the network. If you plugged the kit in yourself, day 1 is the day you switched it on. If a CPS-registered electrician completed the connection, day 1 is the day they finished the installation.

There is no penalty structure currently prescribed for late notification in most areas, but failing to notify could affect your insurance position, any future feed-in tariff claims, or your ability to access the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), though most current plug-in kits do not yet qualify for SEG due to MCS certification requirements.

Finding your DNO

The UK has six major electricity distribution companies, each covering a geographic area. Your DNO depends on your postcode, not your electricity supplier. The quickest way to find yours is to enter your postcode at energynetworks.org/electricity/whose-network.

What to include in your notification

G98 notifications for micro-generators are short. You will typically need:

• Your address and MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number, on your electricity bill, sometimes called your supply number)
• Who installed it. If you plugged in a register-listed kit yourself, say so. If an electrician hardwired it, give their name and CPS registration number.
• Equipment details, inverter make, model, rated AC output in watts, and the reference the kit carries on the ENA G98 Type Test Register. The manufacturer's documentation should quote it, and you can check it against the register yourself.
• Connection date, the date the system was first connected

Some DNOs ask for a single-line diagram. For a basic plug-in system, this is a very simple schematic: panels, then microinverter, then socket. For a hardwired install, your CPS electrician can provide it.

What happens after you notify

For a standard G98 system under 3.68kW, the DNO registers your installation on their network records. You don't receive a formal approval document, just confirmation that the notification has been received. Some DNOs send a reference number; keep this for your records.

Occasionally, a DNO may make additional enquiries for systems in areas with high concentrations of solar generators on a particular network segment. This is rare for single 800W plug-in systems and does not mean your installation is refused, just that they need to check local network capacity.

If you move home and reinstall your system, you must re-notify the new property's DNO within 28 days of reconnection.

Does G98 notification qualify me for SEG?

No, not by itself. The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays you for electricity you export to the grid, but requires your system to be certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or equivalent. Most current plug-in kits are not yet MCS-certified. G98 is a separate, simpler notification that covers the grid connection requirement only.

Separately, most plug-in solar systems currently consume almost all of their generated electricity in the home rather than exporting, so SEG income would be small regardless. The main financial benefit is avoided import cost.

Frequently asked questions

• Does my CPS electrician handle G98 for me?
  If you are using an electrician at all, usually yes, and confirm it before they start. Most CPS-registered electricians who work on plug-in solar are familiar with G98 notification and include it, or assist with it, as part of their service. Ask explicitly: "Will you complete the G98 DNO notification as part of this job?" Bear in mind that a kit listed as Compliant on the ENA G98 Type Test Register does not need an electrician at all. You plug it in and self-notify.
• What if my equipment doesn't have a G98 certificate?
  The authoritative check is the ENA G98 Type Test Register, not the marketing on the box. Look up the exact model and variant. If it shows as Compliant, you may plug it in and self-notify. If it is not listed, and many well-known brands are not, including EcoFlow, then it is not a plug-in kit in the UK and it needs a CPS-registered electrician and a hardwired connection. Do not connect equipment to the grid without checking.
• Do I need to notify the DNO if I'm off-grid?
  No. G98 only applies to grid-connected systems. A system that doesn't connect to the electricity network (using batteries only, with no grid export) doesn't require G98 notification. However, all current EcoFlow STREAM kits are grid-connected, so they require notification.
• Is there a fee for G98 notification?
  For systems under 3.68kW (G98 threshold), there is no charge for the notification itself. Some DNOs previously charged for G99 applications (above 3.68kW), but G98 micro-generator notifications have always been free for the installer or homeowner to submit.
• Can I submit the G98 notification myself?
  Yes. The amended G98 that Ofgem approved on 11 August 2026, effective 27 August, introduced consumer self-notification, and for a register-listed plug-in kit that is the normal route. The DNO online form is public-facing and you need the kit's details and your MPAN. If an electrician did a hardwired install instead, they will usually submit it, so confirm the arrangement before work starts.

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