G98 Notification: How to Tell Your DNO About Your Plug-in Solar

Once you install a plug-in solar system, you need to tell your electricity network operator. This is called G98 notification. It's quick, free, and essential. This guide walks you through it.

What Is G98?

G98 is a form used to notify your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) that you've connected a small solar system (or other small generator) to your home.

G98 stands for "Generating and Supplying Equipment — Connection to Low Voltage Distribution Networks." It's a standard form used across the UK for exactly this purpose. It's simple: your name, address, system details, connection date. Most of it is automated once you enter your postcode.

The form is free and submitted online. It takes about 5 minutes. Your DNO reviews it, confirms receipt, and updates their network records. That's it.

Why Do You Need to Notify?

Your DNO needs to know what's connected to their network for several practical reasons:

Safety: If they know you have a solar system, they'll ensure any work they do on the network (maintenance, upgrades, repairs) accounts for your system. If engineers don't know about your solar, they might accidentally expose themselves to power from your inverter (anti-islanding protects against this, but notification is an extra safety layer).

Grid management: The DNO balances supply and demand on the network. If millions of homes have solar, that's significant generation they need to account for when planning network maintenance and upgrades.

Compliance: BS 7671 (wiring regulations) and the G98 procedure are legal requirements. Notifying your DNO is part of being compliant.

Data: The DNO maintains records of distributed generation in their area for regulatory and planning purposes.

None of this is onerous for you. It's genuinely a 5-minute process that removes ambiguity.

What's Your DNO?

Your Distribution Network Operator is the company that manages the power lines in your area. There are six main DNOs in the UK:

• UK Power Networks (UKPN) covers South East England, East England, and London
• SEEL (South Eastern Electricity Limited) covers South West England
• WMID (Western Power Distribution – Midlands) covers the West Midlands
• EMID (Eastern Midlands Electricity) covers the East Midlands
• Northern Power Distribution covers the North East and North West
• SP Energy Networks covers Scotland

You can find your DNO by:

1. Going to the Energy Networks Association website
2. Entering your postcode
3. It will tell you immediately which DNO serves you

You can also check your electricity bill — the DNO name is often listed.

When Do You Notify?

The rule is simple: "connect and notify." You connect first (plug it in), then notify within 28 days.

You don't need to ask permission. You don't need approval beforehand. You just notify after connection. The DNO receives the notification, checks it's valid, and updates their records. In practice, they don't refuse (and they can't easily refuse — the network is open to small generators under the regulations).

Important: You must notify within 28 days. If you don't, you're technically breaching regulations, though enforcement is light. It's better to notify promptly.

Finding and Submitting G98

The exact submission process varies slightly by DNO, but all operate online portals. Here's the general approach:

1. Go to your DNO's website. Search "G98 [your DNO name]" and you'll find their online portal.

2. Log in or create an account. You'll need to provide basic details (name, address, email). This takes a minute.

3. Start a new notification. The portal will guide you through a form. Most of it is straightforward:

• Your name and address
• Your phone number and email
• Type of installation (small PV system)
• System details (panel size, inverter model, maximum output in kW)
• Date of connection
• Type of connection (single-phase domestic, typically)

4. Check and confirm. Review your details. Double-check postcode and system size (these are the critical bits).

5. Submit. Click submit. You should get a confirmation immediately, and an email receipt.

6. Keep the confirmation number. Save the email and confirmation number for your records.

Most DNOs process these automatically. You'll get a confirmation email within a few hours or days saying "notification acknowledged" and your system is now on their records.

System Details You'll Need

Have these ready before you submit:

• Panel size: Typically 400W for plug-in solar
• Inverter model and make: Check your inverter's label (e.g., "EcoFlow SPF 600W" or similar)
• Inverter maximum power output: This is usually printed on the inverter and in the manual. Often 600W or 800W (the actual maximum the inverter can handle, which is usually higher than the panel size)
• Connection date: The date you plugged it in
• Connection point: Usually just "wall socket circuit" (you don't need exact circuit details for plug-in solar)

If you don't have all these to hand, you can:

• Check the product manual (often available online if you've lost the physical one)
• Check the packaging (specs are usually listed)
• Contact the manufacturer

What Happens After You Submit?

Within hours or days: Your DNO receives the notification, checks it's valid (postcode matches, system size is reasonable), and sends confirmation. Your system is now on their records.

You receive: A confirmation email, sometimes with a reference number or notification number. Keep this. It proves you notified.

What doesn't happen: The DNO doesn't inspect your system, doesn't demand installation certificates (though keep yours), and doesn't come round. It's just a notification update.

If You've Already Connected (Without Notifying)

If you installed before submitting G98, just submit now. You're slightly late (should have been within 28 days), but it's not a problem. Submit immediately and you're compliant going forward.

The DNO won't fine you for being a few weeks late on notification. They might send a gentle reminder if they audit and notice a gap, but practical enforcement is minimal.

Common Mistakes

Not submitting at all. The most common mistake. Some people think "the DNO doesn't need to know." They do, for the reasons above. It's also a building regulations requirement.

Submitting wrong details. Double-check postcode, system size, and connection date. These are the critical fields. If you submit with a wrong postcode, the DNO might reject it and you'll have to resubmit.

Thinking you need approval. You don't. G98 is notification, not permission. You've already installed; you're just telling them.

Worrying about costs. Notification is free. Your DNO can't charge you for notifying.

What If You Don't Notify?

Legal position: You're breaching building regulations (BS 7671 requires it, and G98 is the standard method). Your system is non-compliant.

Practical position: Enforcement is minimal. Local authorities aren't proactively checking. The DNO isn't calling round. But:

• If something goes wrong (an accident, a fire), investigations will reveal you didn't notify. Your insurance might not cover it.
• If you sell the house, a surveyor might ask about solar systems and get concerned if you haven't notified.
• If local authorities catch on, they could technically require you to remove it (rare, but possible).

It's not worth the risk for a 5-minute process.

G98 and Landlord Permission

If you're renting, you need landlord permission before installing (not shown on G98). Once you've got permission and installed, you submit G98 yourself. The system is at your address, regardless of who owns the building.

If your landlord ever requires proof of legal compliance, your G98 notification is evidence you've followed the rules.

G98 and SEG (Export Tariffs)

Some electricity suppliers offer SEG (Smart Export Guarantee) — they pay you for electricity you export back to the grid. To join an SEG scheme, your system needs to be on the DNO's records, which G98 achieves. But SEG eligibility has specific requirements (your inverter must have export metering capability, for example), so check with your supplier separately.

Don't count on SEG income. It's a bonus, not the plan.

What to Do Next

Before connecting (summer 2026 when UKCA-marked kits arrive):

1. Check you have the right system details ready
2. Confirm your DNO using the Energy Networks Association website

After connecting:

1. Note your connection date
2. Go to your DNO's website and find the G98 portal
3. Submit within 28 days
4. Save your confirmation email

It's genuinely simple. The most time-consuming part is usually finding the right portal on your DNO's website (they don't all advertise it prominently). But once you're there, the form is straightforward.

More Information

• Find your DNO: Energy Networks Association (energynetworks.org.uk)
• Building regulations and legal position: See our complete legal guide
• Wider installation guide: See our installation guide — coming soon

G98 isn't bureaucratic obstruction — it's a sensible, necessary, and genuinely quick way to keep everyone informed and the grid safe. Do it.