Homeowner Blog

When installing a solar PV and battery storage system, securing permission from the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) is a crucial step. If you’ve been restricted by the DNO in terms of generation or export capacity, you might be wondering whether you can reapply for more capacity in the future. The short answer? Yes, and in many cases, it may be worth doing so. Here’s what you need to know.

Key Headline Details

• Local Solar Specialists: Offer bespoke system design, deep technical expertise, and personalised aftercare.
• National Installers: Provide competitive pricing, faster installations, and established brand recognition.
• Key Considerations: Solar is a 25 year investment, with significant potential returns. Compare reputation, design flexibility, installation quality, cost, and aftercare.
  

If your buy-to-let flat were empty, it would be your absolute priority to get a tenant in – because once it’s occupied, it’s effortless passive income. Your roof is the same, it has the potential to be turned into an energy-generating business. Every day that it’s not got solar on, you’re losing money on expensive electricity bills, and you’re missing out on making additional money from selling your solar generation back to the grid.  

Why do we have to apply for permission to connect to the grid?

When you install a solar/battery system larger than 3.68kW per phase, you must submit an application, usually G99, for permission to connect the system from your local Distribution Network Operator (DNO). Most solar installers will do this application on your behalf, usually after you’ve settled on a final system design. 

Everyone knows that you can’t put solar panels on a north facing roof…. or can you?

With electricity prices rising, north facing solar panels are now often worth the money.

When you install a solar system, you are effectively buying your own power station on your roof. That business is using your land (and the sun that falls on it), to produce an income stream.  That income stream is the value of the business that you have created. Those income streams will come in over the course of 25+ years. So how do we put a Net Present Value (NPV) on them today? In an example below, Mr. C discovered that his investment of £8,900 would be worth over £25,000 on the day that it is installed. A return of over 270%.