In this article, you'll learn about the criteria for DNO approval, application timelines, and the steps to start earning money from selling excess energy back to the DNO.
Distribution Network Operators (DNO's) are companies who run the distribution of electricity from the national grid to your home. Once you have installed a PV system on your home, you will start to generate your own energy, and will therefore be presented with the opportunity to export and sell some of what you generate back to the grid - This process is known as the Smart Export Guarantee.
In most instances you will not be required to seek approval from the DNO prior to installation, however, in some circumstances where a larger system is being installed and you would like to export a higher amount than usual (anything above 3.68kW), we will need to send off an application for pre-approval. We handle all of this on your behalf, and these applications can take up to 12 weeks to be processed and approved. If you are not sure about the size of the system you need or the amount of energy you would like to export, your guru will be happy to discuss your options with you during your consultation call.
If no approval is required pre-installation, we will just need to send off a post-installation application once the installation has been completed, in order for you to start earning money back for the energy you are exporting to the grid. Depending on the type of system installed, these applications can take up to 6 weeks to be approved, but usually, around a week is the general wait time.
Once we have received a commission approval from your DNO, you can use this document alongside some others such as your MCS Certificate to apply to the Smart Export Guarantee, and start earning money back for the clean green energy you are generating!
We have a great blog post on the Smart Export Guarantee that I think you'll find really informative. It covers everything you need to know, so be sure to check it out!