Every solar PV installation requires an EIC, MCS certificate, DNO notification, and handover documentation. This guide explains each certificate requirement in detail, covering what must be included, who issues it, and the consequences of missing documentation.
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Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.
A UK solar PV install needs four things: an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) to BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 covering the AC and DC work; an MCS certificate (required for the customer to claim Smart Export Guarantee payments); a DNO notification (G98 up to 16A per phase, G99 above); and a handover pack with commissioning results and warranties. Building Regulations are met via Part P self-certification.
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Installing a solar PV system in the UK requires a package of certificates and notifications that together demonstrate the installation is safe, compliant, and eligible for export payments. Unlike a straightforward domestic rewire where a single EIC may suffice, a solar PV installation touches multiple regulatory frameworks: BS 7671 for the electrical installation, MCS for the renewable energy certification, and the DNO connection regulations.
The key certificates and documents required for a solar PV installation are:
This guide explains each requirement in detail, so you know exactly what documentation to produce for every solar PV installation.
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Every solar PV installation requires an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) to BS 7671:2018+A4:2026. The EIC covers all the electrical work associated with the installation — both the DC side (panels, string cables, DC isolator) and the AC side (inverter output, AC isolator, consumer unit connection).
DC Safety: Always Treat as Live (Reg 712.410.101)
DC cables and equipment on the solar PV side remain energised whenever the panels are exposed to light — even when the AC supply has been isolated and the inverter has been disconnected. BS 7671 Reg 712.410.101 is explicit: electrical equipment on the DC side shall be considered to be energised even when the AC side is disconnected from the grid and even when the inverter is disconnected from the DC side. The EIC isolation notes and any safe-working method statement must reflect this: DC circuits cannot be treated as dead by AC isolation alone.
| Regulation | Requirement |
|---|---|
| 712.410.101 | DC-side equipment shall be considered energised even when the AC side is disconnected from the grid and the inverter is disconnected from the DC side. |
| 712.410.102 | Apply one DC-side protective measure: double or reinforced insulation (Section 412) or extra-low voltage SELV/PELV (Section 414). Record which is used. |
| 712.514.102 | Permanent warning notice at each point of access to DC live parts (distribution boards, combiner boxes), e.g. ‘SOLAR DC — Live parts can remain energised after isolation’. |
| 712.514.103 | Warning notice fixed to all inverters: ‘WARNING — Isolate both AC and DC sides before servicing’. |
| 712.521.1041 | DC cables selected and erected to minimise earth-fault and short-circuit risk — e.g. single-core non-metallic-sheathed H1Z2Z2-K to BS EN 50618; cables not laid directly on the roof surface. |
| 712.523.101 | For cables subject to direct heating under the module, design ambient temperature shall be taken as at least 70°C. |
| 712.526.101 | DC connectors selected to BS EN 62852:2015+A1:2020. Where accessible to ordinary persons, they must require a key or tool to disconnect (or sit in a key/tool-only enclosure). |
The EIC should be issued in accordance with the model forms in BS 7671 Appendix 6. The A4:2026 update to Appendix 6 adds fields for recording surge protective devices (SPDs) and arc fault detection devices (AFDDs) — where an SPD is fitted on the AC side of the inverter, its details must be recorded on the updated EIC form. The EIC requirements for solar PV are the same as for any other new circuit, with the addition of DC-side test results that are specific to PV installations.
Elec-Mate includes dedicated solar PV EIC templates with DC and AC test result fields, string voltage and current recording…
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The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is the UK quality assurance scheme for small-scale renewable energy installations. MCS certification covers both the products (panels and inverters must be MCS-approved) and the installer (the company must hold an MCS installation certification).
The MCS certificate is critical because it enables the customer to:
The MCS certificate is generated through the MCS installation database by the certified installer. It records the system details (panel type, inverter type, total capacity in kWp), the estimated annual generation, and the installer's MCS number. The certificate is uploaded to the MCS database and a copy is provided to the customer.
Connecting a solar PV system to the electricity grid requires notification to the Distribution Network Operator (DNO). The type of notification depends on the size of the installation.
| G98 | G99 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Notification (connect-and-notify) | Application (approval before connection) |
| Threshold | Up to 16A per phase | Above 16A per phase |
| Single-phase | Up to approx. 3.68kW | Above approx. 3.68kW |
| Three-phase | Up to approx. 11.04kW | Above approx. 11.04kW |
| DNO timescale | 10 working days to object | Several weeks for assessment |
| Typical use | Most domestic (3–4kW) systems | Large domestic, commercial, multi-string |
Applies to: systems up to 16A per phase (approximately 3.68kW single-phase or 11.04kW three-phase).
G98 is a notification, not an application. The installer submits the notification form to the DNO and can proceed with commissioning unless the DNO objects within 10 working days.
Most domestic solar PV installations fall under G98, as the typical system size of 3-4kW is within the 16A single-phase limit.
Applies to: systems exceeding 16A per phase (above 3.68kW single-phase or above 11.04kW three-phase).
G99 is a formal application that requires DNO approval before the system can be connected. The DNO assesses the impact on the local network and may require network upgrades before granting approval.
The G99 process can take several weeks, so it must be started early in the project. Costs for any network reinforcement are borne by the applicant.
The DNO notification or application must be submitted by the installer. A copy of the G98 notification or G99 approval letter should be included in the handover documentation provided to the customer.
Commissioning a solar PV system involves two distinct sets of tests: the standard BS 7671 inspection and testing for the AC installation, plus DC-side checks specific to the PV array. Under BS 7671 Reg 712.6.101, once the relevant Part 6 requirements are met, the additional system documentation, commissioning tests and inspection follow the BS EN 62446 series. Both sets of results belong on the certificate and in the handover pack.
| Side | Test / check | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| DC side | Open-circuit voltage (Voc) per string | Compare against expected value for the string and temperature |
| Short-circuit current (Isc) per string | Or operational current; confirms string is producing correctly | |
| DC insulation resistance | Treat DC as live at all times (Reg 712.410.101) — test per BS EN 62446 method | |
| Polarity | Verify before connecting strings to the inverter | |
| AC side | Continuity, insulation resistance, polarity | Standard BS 7671 dead tests for the new AC circuit |
| Earth fault loop impedance & RCD operation | Live tests on the inverter-to-consumer-unit circuit | |
| Earthing & bonding verification | Main earthing terminal; bonding of metallic mounting frame where required | |
| Inverter | Grid protection settings | Verify voltage/frequency trip limits and anti-islanding; factory defaults may not match UK requirements |
| Record serial number & firmware | For warranty, traceability and future settings audits |
A common audit finding is incomplete or missing DC results — every string needs its own Voc and current reading recorded. See the solar PV RAMS guide for the safe-working method behind these DC checks.
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Try the certificate tools freeMCS standards require the installer to provide comprehensive handover documentation to the customer on completion of the installation. This documentation package enables the customer to understand, operate, and maintain their solar PV system.
Proper handover documentation protects both the installer and the customer. It demonstrates professionalism, reduces the likelihood of call-backs for operational queries, and provides the evidence needed for warranty claims.
Solar PV installations are electrical work that falls under Part P of the Building Regulations (England and Wales). The work must be either self-certified through a competent person scheme or notified to building control.
The building regulations compliance certificate is an important document for the property owner. It is checked during property sales and mortgage applications. Missing building regulations sign-off can delay or prevent property transactions.
Solar PV installations come with multiple warranties that the installer must document and hand over to the customer. Typical durations vary by component and manufacturer, so always confirm against the actual product documentation:
| Warranty | Typical duration | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Panel performance | 25 years (often 30) | Guaranteed minimum output (commonly ~80–87% at year 25) |
| Panel product | 10–25 years | Manufacturing defects in the module itself |
| Inverter | 5–12 years | Most likely component to need replacement; extensions common |
| Workmanship | 2–10 years | The installation work, set by the installer |
| Insurance-backed guarantee (IBG) | Matches workmanship term | Honours the workmanship warranty if the installer ceases to trade — an MCS benefit |
All warranty documents should be included in the handover pack and the customer should be advised to keep them safe. Elec-Mate stores all certificates and warranty records digitally, so they are always accessible and cannot be lost.
Create professional solar PV handover documentation with Elec-Mate. EIC, commissioning record, system design summary…
Try it free for 7 daysSolar PV certification errors are a common finding during MCS audits and can result in non-conformance reports. Here are the most frequent mistakes and how to avoid them:
Elec-Mate's solar PV certificate templates include prompts and validation checks that help you avoid these common errors. The app flags missing test results, reminds you about DNO notification, and ensures all required fields are completed before the certificate can be finalised.
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