NIE Networks G98 Plug-In Solar Notification (NI 2026)

The Short Answer

If you install an 800W plug-in solar kit in Northern Ireland, you must notify NIE Networks within 30 days of commissioning. The process is called G98/NI, it is free, and it does not require an installer’s signature.

You can fit the system first and notify afterwards. No inspection, no pre-approval, no fee. The only thing you need to get right is using an inverter that is already on the ENA Type Test Register, because if it isn’t, NIE Networks will reject the notification and you cannot legally feed the grid.

For most homeowners, the notification takes around ten minutes. This guide walks through the process step by step, names the inverters already approved, and covers the common mistakes that cause rejections.

What Is G98/NI?

G98 is an Engineering Recommendation published by the Energy Networks Association (ENA). It sets out the technical and procedural rules for connecting small generators (up to 16A per phase, roughly 3.68 kW on single-phase) to the UK distribution network. G99 is the equivalent for larger systems.

G98/NI is Northern Ireland’s implementation of G98. It differs from the Great Britain version in a few ways:

• It references NIE Networks as the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) instead of the 14 GB DNOs
• It has its own Type Test Register entries (inverters must be specifically approved for NI)
• NIE Networks operates a “Fit and Inform” process: you install first, you notify after
• There is no fee, whereas some GB DNOs charge small admin fees

For plug-in solar at 800W AC, the system sits very comfortably inside the G98/NI envelope. An 800W kit uses about 3.5A on a UK socket, well below the 16A threshold.

Who Needs to Notify

Anyone in Northern Ireland who installs grid-connected generation equipment. That includes:

• Plug-in solar kits (EcoFlow, Anker, Zendure, Hoymiles-based)
• Balcony solar systems
• Small solar PV installed DIY without an MCS installer
• Battery storage systems paired with plug-in solar
• Any micro-CHP, micro-wind, or small hydro generator

If a professional installer fits your system (for example a full roof-mounted MCS installation), the installer handles the notification for you. For plug-in solar bought from EcoFlow, Amazon, or a supermarket and installed by the homeowner, the homeowner is responsible for the notification.

Power Limits Under G98/NI

The relevant thresholds are simpler than they look:

Phase type	Limit	What fits
Single-phase (most NI homes)	3.68 kW (16A)	800W plug-in × 4 systems, or a typical 3.5 kW roof install
Three-phase (some rural or commercial)	11.04 kW (48A)	Larger roof installs, multiple plug-in systems, small commercial

If you exceed 3.68 kW on single-phase, you leave G98/NI and enter G99/NI, which is a full application with NIE Networks engineering review. For plug-in solar, this is almost impossible to trigger unless you chain multiple kits.

Note: the limit is cumulative per property. A 4 kW roof PV system plus an 800W plug-in kit at the same address already exceeds the G98/NI threshold and triggers G99/NI.

The Notification Process, Step by Step

Step 1. Buy an approved inverter

Before anything else, confirm your inverter is on the ENA Type Test Register with a valid G98 certificate for Northern Ireland. Currently approved and commonly used in NI plug-in solar kits:

Inverter	Brand	Register status
PowerStream (EFWN511 / EFWN511B)	EcoFlow	G98 approved, listed October 2023
STREAM Microinverter	EcoFlow	G98 approved
HMS-800W-2T	Hoymiles	G98 approved, widely used in EU plug-in kits
Anker SOLIX Solarbank	Anker	G98 approved
Zendure SolarFlow	Zendure	G98 approved

Supermarket kits (Lidl, future Aldi, Iceland) are expected to use EcoFlow STREAM or Hoymiles HMS-800W-2T. The register is searchable at ena-eng.org if you are buying from a less well-known brand.

Step 2. Install the system

Fit the panels, connect them to the micro-inverter, and plug the inverter into the mains (following the manufacturer’s installation instructions). The commissioning date is the first day the system actively exports or self-consumes electricity. From that date, you have 30 days to notify.

Step 3. Gather the documents

Before you open the form, have these to hand:

• MPRN (Meter Point Reference Number). Found on your electricity bill, usually 10 digits.
• Your postcode and address exactly as shown on the bill
• Inverter make, model, and rated AC output (e.g. EcoFlow PowerStream, 800W)
• Panel make, model, and wattage (e.g. 2 x EcoFlow 400W rigid)
• Commissioning date (when you first switched on)
• Inverter serial number (usually on a sticker on the unit)

Step 4. Submit the G98/NI notification

Go to the NIE Networks connections portal at nienetworks.co.uk/connections. Use the “Help to Decide” tool, select “Connect a generator”, and choose “G98/NI”. You’ll be taken to the online notification form.

Fill in the fields, upload a photo of the inverter nameplate if requested, and submit. You should receive an acknowledgement email within a few working days.

Step 5. Keep the confirmation

NIE Networks will email a confirmation when the notification is logged. Keep it. If you ever sell the house, change supplier, or claim export payments through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), you may need to prove the system is registered.

Common Mistakes That Cause Rejections

1. Inverter not on the register. Budget supermarket kits sometimes ship with unapproved inverters. If it isn’t on the ENA Type Test Register, the notification is rejected.
2. Wrong phase assumption. Some rural NI properties have three-phase supplies. If you declare single-phase and the property is three-phase, NIE Networks flags it.
3. MPRN mismatch. Use the MPRN from your electricity bill, not your gas bill (which is different in NI).
4. Exceeding 3.68 kW cumulative. If you already have roof-mounted PV and you add an 800W plug-in kit, you may cross the G98/NI threshold. Check the total AC output across all generators at your property.
5. Plug-in system with a non-compliant socket circuit. A standard 13A socket on a ring main may not meet the BS 7671 Amendment 4 requirements for plug-in solar. We cover this in our plug-in solar legality guide.

What If I Don’t Notify?

Operating an unregistered grid-connected generator is a breach of the Distribution Code and of your Electricity Supply Licence conditions. In practice, the consequences in order of likelihood are:

• Nothing for a while. NIE Networks doesn’t actively detect unregistered generators, and an 800W kit is invisible at the substation level.
• Problems when selling or remortgaging. A solicitor’s searches can flag unregistered generation equipment, which can delay or reduce the sale price.
• Lost export payments. No SEG supplier will pay for exported electricity without a valid G98/NI or G99/NI reference.
• Liability if something goes wrong. If your micro-inverter fails anti-islanding protection (keeps feeding the grid when the mains is down) and injures a maintenance worker, the absence of a G98/NI notification could expose you personally.
• Disconnection. In the extreme case of a repeated or dangerous unregistered system, NIE Networks can disconnect the property entirely.

The notification is free, takes ten minutes, and removes all of this risk. There is no practical reason to skip it.

Plug-In Solar vs Roof-Mounted: What Changes

Item	Plug-in solar (DIY)	Roof PV (MCS installer)
Who notifies NIE Networks	Homeowner	Installer
Who signs the commissioning certificate	Homeowner (self-declaration)	MCS-certified installer
MCS certificate issued	No	Yes
Eligible for SEG export payments	Harder; depends on supplier	Easier, most SEG tariffs require MCS
Notification fee	£0	£0
Timing	Within 30 days of switch-on	Before switch-on (typical)

The biggest practical difference is the MCS certificate. An MCS-certified system qualifies for the Smart Export Guarantee automatically. A self-installed plug-in system does not, and some suppliers will not pay for exported electricity without MCS even if your G98/NI is in order.

For plug-in solar, this matters less than it sounds. Most of the value from an 800W system comes from self-consumption (using the electricity as it’s generated to offset what you’d otherwise buy at 24-39p per kWh), not export (paid at 4-6p per kWh). See our EcoFlow review for the economics in NI.

Battery Storage and EV Chargers

If you add a battery to your plug-in solar system, it must be declared on the same G98/NI notification. NIE Networks treats battery storage as a form of embedded generator because it can feed the grid.

Practical examples:

• EcoFlow PowerStream + Delta 2 battery: declare both on one G98/NI
• Anker SOLIX plug-in solar with integrated battery: one G98/NI, declare both
• Plug-in solar + Tesla Powerwall: the Powerwall is likely G99/NI (not G98) because of its higher AC rating
• Plug-in solar + home EV charger: EV chargers are declared separately under EV Smart Charging regulations, not G98/NI

If you are combining generation, storage, and an EV charger, NIE Networks has a separate Integrated Micro Generation and Storage Application process that bundles them all into one submission. For most plug-in solar buyers, the basic G98/NI notification is the right route.

NI vs GB: Why the Process Differs

NIE Networks operates the only distribution network in Northern Ireland, so the G98/NI process is a single front door. In Great Britain there are 14 DNOs, each with slightly different portals, forms, and sometimes fees. That makes NI’s process comparatively simple.

However, NI has fewer approved inverters on the register than GB. Some EU or US products that are fine for GB may not yet be on the NI version of the ENA list. Always check the register before buying a non-mainstream kit.

Summary

• Plug-in solar in NI needs G98/NI notification within 30 days of switch-on
• It’s free and takes around ten minutes online
• The homeowner notifies if there’s no installer involved
• Only use inverters on the ENA Type Test Register (PowerStream, STREAM, HMS-800W-2T, SOLIX, SolarFlow all approved)
• Keep the confirmation email for future house sale or SEG application

If you’re still deciding which plug-in solar kit to buy, start with our brand comparison guide or read our EcoFlow review for the most widely approved UK system. If the legal position itself still confuses you, we break down BS 7671 Amendment 4 in our plug-in solar legality guide.

For larger rooftop installations, you’ll want an MCS-certified installer to handle the G98/NI notification on your behalf. Compare free quotes from NI installers to find one in your area.