Guidance

How to register energy devices in homes or small businesses: guidance for device owners and installation contractors

Published 31 March 2021

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

This guidance should be followed once a customer has decided on which energy device they wish to install.

Simple steps for registering your energy device

1. Installer should be appropriately registered.

2. Determine if you needy to notify the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) before or after installation.

3. Install energy device. Some energy efficiency schemes require application before installation of energy device.

4. Ensure installation is notified with the appropriate bodies.

5. Customer should receive relevant documentation.

6. Apply for relevant energy efficiency schemes.

If you are planning to install an energy device in your home or small business, you are required to register your energy device with your Distribution Network Operator (DNO), the company that is responsible for bringing electricity to the property where you are installing the device.

To determine your relevant DNO, please visit the Electricity Network Association’s (ENA) website and enter the postcode of the installation site.

Why it is important to register your energy asset

As we work to meet our climate change targets, we’ll be using more large electricity-powered devices (also known as energy assets) in our homes, such as electric vehicles and electric heat pumps. In order to effectively manage the extra demand on the system, network companies will need to know how many of these energy assets sit on their networks, and where. They won’t have this information unless the asset is registered with them, which is often best done at the point of installation.

Registering your energy asset is critical to reducing the risk of local blackouts, which can result from too many unknown assets turning on or off at the same time.

Which energy devices need to be registered?

You must notify your local DNO if you make any significant change to your connection, such as installing one of the following energy devices:

• solar photovoltaic (PV)
• heat pump
• electric vehicle (EV) charge point
• battery storage

Complying with building regulations

In England and Wales, if you are an installation contractor carrying out any work to which building regulations apply, you have a responsibility to ensure that the work complies. The energy device owner may also have a responsibility for ensuring compliance with the building regulations and could be served with an enforcement notice in cases of non-compliance.

In Scotland, all building regulation compliance matters are handled by the local authority building standards services. Installation contractors should always consult them to confirm whether there is a need for a building warrant.

Find the details of your local authority in:

• England
• Wales
• Scotland

Register your solar PV and/or battery storage

Step 1: Installer should be appropriately registered

Energy device owners should commission an installation contractor, discuss the proposed installation and purchase the energy device.

Competent installation contractors can be found through certification schemes that signal quality of installation contractor and support them throughout registration.

Installation contractors can:

• register with a competent persons scheme. In most circumstances, this allows installation contractors to self-certify that your work complies with building regulations. If not registered, installation contractors must go directly to the Local Authority Building Control and pay to submit a building notice before the commencement of the installation work. In Scotland, installation contractors must go to the Local Authority Building Standards service and check if a building warrant is for the installation before starting the work
• become certified through a certification body that signals quality of installation contractor and supports you throughout registration

Step 2: Determine if you need to notify the DNO before or after installation

Installation contractors must examine the energy device and required connection to determine whether the Distribution Network Operator needs to be informed before or after installation. ENA have produced Distributed Generation and Storage Connection Guides, which includes a flowchart to help establish which forms should be completed and whether they should be submitted before or after installation.

Once the installation contractor has determined whether the connection is ‘connect and notify’ or ‘apply to connect’, they must follow the relevant instructions:

If the connection is ‘connect and notify’

Installers can proceed to install the device and submit the relevant Engineering Recommendation (EREC) G98 application form to the DNO within 28 days of installation. The DNO will assess the notification and be in touch if submitted incorrectly.

If energy device is ‘apply to connect’

Installers must submit the relevant Engineering Recommendation (EREC) G99 application form (or G100 if export is limited) to the DNO before installing the device to ensure safe and effective operation of the electricity network. The DNO will be in touch within 45 days for low voltage energy devices and 65 days for high voltage energy devices to approve installation or make further contact about appropriate amendments needed.

If battery storage is being implemented with a generation device and falls under ‘apply to connect’

Installers can utilise a fast track application process. This involves submitting the G99 Form A1-2 application form for connection of Fully Type Tested Integrated Microgeneration and Storage installations. This must be submitted before installation but reduces the connection time to 10 days or less.

Note: when completing the form, ENA’s Type Test register may provide useful information on the energy device model being registered. If the energy device is not type tested, the DNO may require additional documentation to demonstrate that it complies with EREC G98/G99.

Step 3: Install device

Some energy efficiency schemes may require application before installation.

Step 4: Ensure installation is notified with the appropriate bodies

If registered with a Competent Person Scheme, the installation contractor must register the installation with them to evidence compliance with the building regulations.

If registered with a certification scheme, the installation contractor may have to register the installation with it. Please see the certification scheme’s website for more details.

Energy device owners must ensure that your installation contractor has notified the DNO of your installation. It is the energy device owner’s responsibility to ensure that the DNO has received this notification and, in the case when the energy device is classified as ‘apply to connect’, granted authorisation before the work is carried out.

Step 5: Energy device owner should receive relevant documentation

Documentation to be provided from installation contractor to energy device owner:

• a Building Regulations Completion Certificate from the installation contractor for notifiable work. This certificate should be provided upon selling the property. Read more information on the use of a Building Regulations Completion Certificate
  • installation contractors registered with a Competent Person Scheme may be able to self-certify that their work complies with all of the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations. In this situation, they must provide the energy device owner with a certificate from the competent persons scheme operator
  • installation contractors who are not registered with a Competent Person Scheme must submit a building notice to the relevant local authority to notify them of the work before it commences, in order to confirm compliance. It is the energy device owner’s responsibility to ensure that work on their property complies with Building Regulations by obtaining this certificate, which will provided within 30 days of completion
• a certificate of installation from the installation contractor’s certification scheme, if applicable

Step 6: Apply for relevant energy efficiency schemes

You can apply for the Smart Export Guarantee. Visit Ofgem’s website to find out more information.

Register your heat pump

Step 1: Installer should be appropriately registered

Energy device owners should commission an installation contractor, discuss the proposed installation and purchase the energy device.

Competent installation contractors can be found through certification schemes that signal quality of installation contractor and support them throughout registration. Some energy efficiency schemes may require installation contractors to be certified.

Certification schemes

Competent Persons Scheme

In most circumstances, registering with the Competent Persons Scheme allows installation contractors to self-certify that the work complies with building regulations. If not registered, installation contractors must go directly to the Local Authority Building Control and pay to submit a building notice before the commencement of the installation work.

In Scotland, installation contractors must go to the Local Authority Building Standards service and check if a building warrant is for the installation before starting the work.

Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)

To qualify for government incentive schemes such as the Renewable Heat Incentive or Green Homes Grant, installation contractors must be certified by MCS and install MCS certified products.

TrustMark

To qualify for government incentive schemes such as the Green Homes Grant, currently installation contractors must be TrustMark registered.

Step 2: Determine if you need to notify the DNO before or after installation

Installers must examine energy device and required connection to determine whether the Distribution Network Operator needs to be informed before or after installation. Follow the ENA process flowchart when assessing the proposed connection.

The process mentioned in the previous step will tell the installation contractor whether the connection is ‘connect and notify’ or ‘apply to connect’. The ENA EV/HP application form should be filled in as per this process.

If the installer intends to send a batch of applications to the DNO, then this can be completed using the ENA’s Multi-install Application Form.

If the connection is ‘connect and notify’

Proceed to install the device and submit EV/HP application form to the DNO within 28 days of installation. The DNO will assess the notification and be in touch if submitted incorrectly.

If energy device is ‘apply to connect’

Submit the ENA EV/HP application form to the DNO before installing the device to ensure safe and effective operation of the electricity network. The DNO will be in touch within the time frames specified on the process flowchart to approve installation or make further contact about appropriate amendments needed before installation can proceed.

Part of the application form includes reference to the customer’s make and model of heat pump, together with an ENA Heat Pump Database register number. If the customer’s heat pump model is not listed in the ENA heat pump database, the final sections of the form should be completed; this may require assistance from the heat pump manufacturer. Further information can be found on the ENA website.

Step 3: Install device

Some energy efficiency schemes may require application before installation.

Step 4: Ensure installation is notified with the appropriate bodies

If registered with a Competent Person Scheme, the installation contractor must register the installation with them to evidence compliance with the building regulations.

If MCS certified, the installation contractor must register the energy device with MCS’s Microgeneration Installation Database (MID) within 10 days of installation.

If TrustMark registered, and work is funded by certain energy efficiency schemes, the installation contractor must register the installation in the TrustMark Data Warehouse.

Energy device owners must ensure that the installation contractor has notified the DNO of the installation. It is the energy device owner’s responsibility to ensure that the DNO has received this notification and, in the case when the energy device is classified as ‘apply to connect’, granted authorisation before the work is carried out.

Step 5: Energy device owner should receive relevant documentation

Installers should provide the following documentation to the energy device owner:

• Building Regulations Completion Certificate from the installation contractor for notifiable work. This certificate should be provided upon selling the property. Read more information on the use of a Building Regulations Completion Certificate
  • installation contractors registered with a Competent Person Scheme may be able to self-certify that their work complies with all of the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations. In this situation, they must provide the energy device owner with a certificate from the competent persons scheme operator
  • installation contractors who are not registered with a Competent Person Scheme must submit a building notice to the relevant local authority to notify them of the work before it commences, in order to confirm compliance. It is the energy device owner’s responsibility to ensure that work on their property complies with Building Regulations by obtaining this certificate, which will provided within 30 days of completion
• MCS Certificate and Heat Pump Handover Pack if the installation contractor is MCS certified
• TrustMark certificate of lodgement if the installation contractor is TrustMark registered and accessing certain energy efficiency schemes
• if the installation contractor is certified to any certification scheme, the required documentation for that scheme

Step 6: Apply for relevant energy efficiency schemes

The following energy efficiency schemes are available for heat pumps:

• Green Homes Grant: apply before installation. You must have applied by 31 March 2021
• Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive: apply after installation
• Non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive: apply after installation

Register your electric vehicle charge point

Step 1: Installer should be appropriately registered

Energy device owners should commission an installation contractor, discuss the proposed installation and purchase the energy device.

Competent installation contractors can be found through certification schemes that signal quality of installation contractor and support them throughout registration. Some energy efficiency schemes may require installation contractors to be certified.

Installation contractors can:

• register with a competent persons scheme. In most circumstances, this allows installation contractors to self-certify that your work complies with building regulations. If not registered, installation contractors must go directly to the Local Authority Building Control and pay to submit a building notice before the commencement of the installation work. In Scotland, installation contractors must go to the Local Authority Building Standards service and check if a building warrant is for the installation before starting the work
• become certified through a certification body that signals quality of installation contractor and supports you throughout registration
• register as an OZEV authorised installation contractor. You must be registered with a Competent Persons Scheme. This authorisation allows you to claim the EVHS or WCS Grant

Step 2: Determine if you need to notify the DNO before or after installation

Installation contractor must examine energy device and visit the property of the required connection to determine whether the Distribution Network Operator needs to be informed before or after installation. ENA have produced a process flowchart which should be followed when assessing the proposed connection.

The process mentioned in the previous step will tell the installation contractor whether the connection is ‘connect and notify’ or ‘apply to connect’. The ENA EV/HP application form should be filled in as per this process.

If the installer intends to send a batch of applications to the DNO, then this can be completed using the ENA’s Multi-install Application Form.

If the connection is ‘connect and notify’

Proceed to install the device and submit the EV/HP application form to the DNO within 28 days of installation. The DNO will assess the notification and be in touch if submitted incorrectly.

If energy device is ‘apply to connect’

Submit the ENA EV/HP application form to the DNO before installing the device to ensure safe and effective operation of the electricity network. The DNO will be in touch within the time frames specified on the process flowchart to approve installation or make further contact about appropriate amendments needed before installation can proceed.

Part of the application form includes reference to the customer’s make and model of Electric Vehicle Charge Point, together with an ENA EVCP Database register number. If the customer’s heat pump model is not listed in the ENA EVCP database, please attach the Datasheet and Power Quality Documentation for the EVCP.

Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) enabled EV chargepoint

A Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) enabled EV chargepoint is able to draw power to charge the vehicle and export the electricity from the car battery back to the home or the grid. This requires a bi-directional chargepoint and for the car to be V2G compatible. If a V2G chargepoint is being installed, it needs to be installed and commissioned in accordance with ENA’s EREC G98 or G99 depending on the capacity.

Note: when completing the EV/HP application form or G98/99 documentation for V2G, ENA’s Type Test register is an important resource for the energy device model being registered. If the energy device is not type tested, the DNO may require additional documentation to demonstrate that it complies with EREC G98/G99.

Step 3: Install device

Some energy efficiency schemes may require application before installation.

Step 4: Ensure installation is notified with the appropriate bodies

If registered with a Competent Person Scheme, the installation contractor must register the installation with them to evidence compliance with building regulations.

Energy device owners must ensure that the installation contractor has notified the DNO of the installation. It is the energy device owner’s responsibility to ensure that the DNO has received this notification and, in the case when the energy device is classified as ‘apply to connect’, granted authorisation before the work is carried out.

Step 5: Energy device owner should receive relevant documentation

The installer must provide the following documentation to the energy device owner:

• a Building Regulations Completion Certificate from the installation contractor for notifiable work. This certificate should be provided upon selling the property. Read more information on the use of a Building Regulations Completion Certificate
  • installation contractors registered with a Competent Person Scheme may be able to self-certify that their work complies with all of the relevant requirements of the Building Regulations. In this situation, they must provide the energy device owner with a certificate from the competent persons scheme operator
  • installation contractors who are not registered with a Competent Person Scheme must submit a building notice to the relevant local authority to notify them of the work before it commences, in order to confirm compliance. It is the energy device owner’s responsibility to ensure that work on their property complies with Building Regulations by obtaining this certificate, which will provided within 30 days of completion
• a certificate of installation from the installation contractor’s certification scheme, if applicable

Step 6: Apply for relevant energy efficiency schemes

The following energy efficiency schemes available for EV charge points:

• Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS)
• Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS)

Additional information

The Energy Data Taskforce Report has recommended that improvements be made to the process of energy device registration. Whilst this page aims to provide clarity and increased awareness for energy device owners and installation contractors alike, other work is ongoing to improve the process.

As a result, this page will be updated as the process changes. We recommend that all installation contractors of domestic and small commercial energy devices, including storage, turn on notifications, so that you receive an email when guidance changes. This is the only time you will be contacted.