The Renewable Energy Company

Solar Questions!

WHAT IS A DNO APPLICATION?

Are you questioning what a DNO utility is? Or what does DNO stand for? Then you are in the proper place!

WHAT IS A DNO APPLICATION?

When you are searching to installation photo voltaic panels or any shape of strength system that is going to be linked to the National Grid, you have to inform your nearby DNO. Whether it is for your domestic or business, your DNO has to be notified in order to precisely calculate and display the quantity of electrical energy needed. This is finished by means of sincerely filling out a DNO utility and sending it to your applicable distribution community operator.

The measurement of your device will decide the kind of DNO software you will have to entire and if you will have to observe earlier than or after installation. The rule of thumb is the large the system, the extra documentation that is required.

If this sounds daunting, worry not. Any DNO functions are managed at The Renewable Energy Company by way of our in-house inexperienced team.

WHAT DOES DNO STAND FOR?

DNO stands for Distribution Network Operator. Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) are licensed businesses accountable for distributing electrical energy from the National Grid to your domestic or business. There are 14 distinctive district networks or DNO areas right here in the UK, owned by means of 6 groups:

WHO IS THE DNO FOR MY AREA?

The best way to discover out who your Distribution Network Operator is to go to the Electricity Network Association’s (ENA) internet site and enter your postcode. As a Nationwide photo voltaic panel set up enterprise we have journey with all 14!

WHEN DO YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR A DNO APPLICTATION?

When you’re making any full-size modifications to your connection, you need to notify your nearby DNO provider. A massive alternate consists of putting in one of the following inexperienced electricity devices:

CAN YOU AVOID DNO PERMISSION?

Unless you are putting in an off-grid system, unfortunately, you can’t keep away from getting DNO permission. As you are making a direct connection to the grid, the set up wishes to be compliant with the grid rules in your area. This is due to the fact as we push closer to a Net Zero UK, electric-powered units or electricity property such as electric powered cars and warmness pumps will be on the rise. It is vital to notify your neighborhood DNO so that the greater load and stress on the National Grid can be managed effectively. This is integral for lowering nearby back-outs, and making sure that provide in your region is efficient.

WHY DO YOU NEED A DNO CERTIFICATE FOR SOLAR PANELS?

If you deploy a photo voltaic panel device besides a DNO certificates you will be unable to get hold of SEG repayments from the National Grid, as phase of the incentive of being grid connected.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF DNO APPLICATIONS FOR SOLAR PANELS

The measurement of your photo voltaic PV device will decide the kind of DNO software you will have to observe for. It is really worth noting that the measurement of your PV gadget is primarily based on the AC inverter rating, alternatively than the height DC ranking of the panels. The predominant two kinds of DNO purposes are “connect and notify” or “apply to connect”.

To installation small-scale Distributed Generation (DG) gear at your domestic or business, you will want to contact a licensed photo voltaic PV installer, such as The Renewable Energy Company to proceed with your installation. To matter as a small-scale system, the machine dimension should be underneath 16A per phase, which is the equal of 3.68kWp for a single-phase furnish or 11.04kWp for a three-phase supply. If you are undecided about the dimension of your system, it is satisfactory to contact your photo voltaic panel installer.

Your chosen installer will take a look at to see if your current electrical energy grant is enough for the extra load by means of finishing an Adequacy of Supply (AoS) check. If the electrical energy provide is adequate, your chosen installer can set up your photo voltaic panels besides any prior permission from the DNO. However, your DNO need to be notified inside 28 days of commissioning the photo voltaic system. This is due to the fact such a small-scale gadget is not likely to motive any load troubles on your modern neighborhood grid infrastructure. If your modern provide is no longer suitable, your installer can also want to improve your electrical energy provide in order to go in advance with the photo voltaic panel installation.

If you are putting in a large-scale photo voltaic system, higher than 16A per phase, you will want to practice for DNO approval prior to installation. This is due to the fact the grid wishes to decide whether or not your nearby distributor can manage the more load. The manner of the DNO reviewing your software can take between eight to 12 weeks. If you are putting in Distributed Generation gear rated at 50kW or higher, you will want to whole a Standard Application Form (SAF).

If your G99 software comes again and your system’s export wishes to be limited, a G100 software is required. At The Renewable Energy Company round 10% of our DNOs for photo voltaic panels receives limited. Applying for a G100 DNO will value an extra £300-£700 for the application, and additionally extend your lead and set up time, as an greater gadget will want to be established alongside with your system.

THE OUTCOMES OF A DNO APPLICATION

After your DNO software has been assessed, you will generally be despatched a join offer. This consists of the most specification of the connection and if there are any connection charges. There are typically three consequences of a DNO application.

Your software is accepted, and your DNO is completely satisfied with the dimension of the gadget you have requested to install. This capability you can proceed with your installation, with no greater prices or amendments.
The machine measurement is capped at a given kWp AC rating, and an export predicament is required. Sometimes a small price is charged for a witness test, the place your company ensures a issue has been put in place.
Your grant dimension desires to be upgraded from a single-phase to a three-phase gadget in order to go in advance with your photo voltaic panel installation. This extra cost can be steeply-priced relying on the site.

If the DNO declines your utility to connect, it may want to be indispensable to deploy an export strength administration gadget to restriction the electrical energy from the PV device to the grid.

HOW MUCH DOES A DNO APPLICATION COST?

The G98 DNO software for “connect and notify” is a free application, however, administrative charges from your photo voltaic panel installers are normally charged in order to method the application. As for the G99 and G100 applications, they can fee somewhere between £300 – £750 each, with Scottish Power regularly being the most expensive.

HOW LONG DOES A DNO APPLICATION TAKE?

Due to the current demand for homegrown energy, ready intervals for DNOs have increased. A G98 utility for photo voltaic panels, commonly takes three months, and while a G99 is noted to take round 8-12 weeks latest responses have taken somewhere between 4-6 months due to demand.

EXPERT SOLAR PANEL INSTALLERS

DNO functions are no longer complicated, when you pick out a group such as The Renewable Energy Company who are specialists in DNOs for photo voltaic panels. If you are a UK domestic or enterprise owner, searching to installation photo voltaic panels, photo voltaic batteries or EV chargers, contact our experienced crew nowadays at 01268 944 142 for award-winning service. All DNO functions are protected in our photo voltaic packages, and are section of our Nationwide service, so do no longer hesitate to get in touch.