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The Technical Stuff

Do I need planning permission ?

Solar PV panels are known as a "permitted development". This means that for most domestic properties, planning permission is not required.

 

However, there are some conditions that your solar PV system has to comply with:

  • The system should be installed in such a way that the effect on the external appearance of the building and the amenity of the area is minimal.

  • When no longer needed, equipment should be removed as soon as reasonably practicable.

  • The system cannot be higher than the highest part of the roof (excluding any chimney).

  • The system cannot protrude more than 0.2 meters beyond the plane of the roof slope.
     

Instances where domestic solar PV systems do not comply with these limitations are very rare.

There are a few instances where you will need planning permission. these include:

• If you have a flat roof

• If it's a listed building

• If the building is in a conservation area

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If you have any doubts as to whether your property will need planning permission please get in touch and we are happy to advise you.

MSC (Microgeneration Certification Scheme)

What is MCS?

MCS, or rather the Microgeneration Certification Scheme is an organisation that help to create and maintain standards relating to low-carbon products, installers and their installations. As MCS installers are fully qualified and work to the highest industry stands it means that having an MCS accreditation is a sign of excellence across the industry.

 

What is an MCS certificate and is it a legal requirement?

An MCS certificate is a document that is provided to the customer upon completion of the qualifying works, this needs to be supplied within 10 days of the work being complete.

 

This document will show that the system has been designed, installed and commissioned inline with the MCS requirements, to the highest standards using MCS approved equipment.

 

Unlike other approved registers (like Gas Safe), there is no legal requirement to use MCS accredited installers. However, consumers need to be aware that should they wish to apply for financial funding through incentive schemes they may need to use MCS approved installers.

 

This would include the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which replaces the older Feed In Tariff (FiT) for renewable systems.

 

So unless your system is installed and registered by an approved MCS contractor you wouldn’t be able to receive payments for exporting your excess generation and unless you are using 100% of the power that you are generating this excess could be helping to reduce your ongoing electricity bills, rather than back to the grid for free.

DNO Notification & Permission

Who is the DNO?

The Distribution Network Operator, or DNO are the organisations that have been licensed to distribute electricity form the National Grind to peoples homes and businesses. 

 

Currently the national grid has been divided into 14 different DNO regions who are owed by the below 6 groups:

 

  1. Electricity North West Limited (ENWL)

  2. Northern Powergrid

  3. Scottish and Southern Energy (SEE)

  4. Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN)

  5. UK Power Networks (UKPN)

  6. Western Power Distribution (WPD)

DNO Map

If you’re unsure of the DNO for your area you can check this on the Energy Networks Association website by entering your postcode.

Is DNO permission avoidable?

Unfortunately you cannot avoid getting DNO permission if you are installing solar panels and battery systems (along with other forms of renewables) unless you happen to be installing an off-grid system. This requirement is needed to ensure that the installation is compliant with the grid requirements and regulations within your area as your system will make a direct connection to the local grind.

 

Will I need a DNO certificate?

Similarly to having an MCS certificate, you will need a DNO certificate to ensure that you are able to get SEG payments from the power that you export to the national grid. Without this certificate you will not be able to receive these payments.

 

Are all DNO applications the same?

No! The type of application that needs to be made is dependant on the size  of the solar pv system that you are looking to install. Its also important to remember that the size of the PV system is based upon the AC inverter rating, rather than that of the combined total of the panels that are attached to it.

 

The two main types of notification are G98 (Connect & Notify) and G99 (Apply & Connect)

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G98

G98 Applications (Connect & Notify)

For a system to fall within the requirements of G98, the system size must be 16A per phase of less, which is the equivalent of 3.68kWp for a single-phase supply and 11.04kWp for a 3 phase system.

 

Once the existing electrical system has been checked to confirm that it is suitable for the addition of the proposed solar installation.  Once this has be satisfactorily completed, we are then able to install your solar PV system without the need for prior permission from the DNO.

 

However, there is a requirement to inform them of the installation within 28 days of it being completed and commissioned for use.

G99

G99 Applications (Apply & Connect)

For customers that are looking to install large scale solar systems, that would be greater than 16A per phase, there will be the need to apply for DNO approval prior to the installation.

 

This requirement enables the DNO to carry out the required checks on the local network to make sure that the proposed installation and possible export onto the grid will remain safe and within their set limits. This process isn’t always particularly quick and can often take 8 to 12 weeks before you get a response.

G100

G100 Applications

Depending on your local network and the size of the system you apply for you may find that your application is returned stating your systems export needs to be limited. In this instance there will be the need for a G100 application.

 

There is generally a cost of around £275 to £800 for the application along with an increased lead time when waiting on the application to be returned. Along with the increased wait and cost of the application there is additional equipment that needs to be installed to enable the export limiting to be done to the required standards of the DNO which will increase the costs of the work.

What happens next?

Once the DNO have reviewed your application and providing there are no issues they will be sent confirmation of this and given a connect offer.

 

This will state the details of the connection that has been approved and give details on the outcome, of which there are often only 3,

 

  1. The application you submitted has been accepted and your DNO is approved the size of the system that has been requested. You may now proceed with the installation.

  2. The proposed system needs to be limited at a specific kWp rating, and have the export limited. There is sometimes a small fee for a witness test to satisfy the DNO that the correct limitation has been put in place.

  3. Your incoming supply from the grid needs to be upgraded, possibly from a single phase supply to a three phase supply. This is often a much more expensive route to go down, however for the larger installations its often well worth it to get the system installed that has been proposed.

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