As more Edinburgh residents turn to solar panels, a practical question often comes to their mind: Does the Edinburgh electricity grid limit how much power I can send back? The short answer is yes, but these limits are manageable and are in place for everyone’s safety.
So, if you are installing solar panels and are confused about it, it’s time to understand the rules and processes that can help you plan a smooth, successful solar installation.
What do Solar Export Limits Mean?
Solar export limits mean the control over how much electricity your system is allowed to send back to the grid at any one time. This has nothing to do with how much power your panels can generate. It’s purely about export.
So you might generate plenty of solar energy on a sunny day, but if your system hits its export cap, the excess must either be used in your home or be stored in a battery. If nothing is possible, the energy generation is shortened by your inverter. Check out how solar panel output varies day to day.
Who Sets Solar Export Limits in Edinburgh?
Solar export limits are set by the Distribution Network Operator (DNO), not the Edinburgh Council. Here, the local electricity network is managed by Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN). Their job is to keep voltage levels safe and the local grid stable.
When too many properties export electricity at the same time, it can cause technical issues, especially on old infrastructure. To deal with this, SPEN assesses each solar installation and decides whether export is allowed and if yes then how much and whether export needs to be actively limited.
The Basic 3.68kW Rule- G98 vs G99
Solar connections across the UK follow two grid standards, which are G98 and G99. Understanding of this difference is important:
G98 Solar Installations For Most Homes
If your system exports up to 3.68kW per phase, it usually falls under G98. This covers most standard domestic solar installations in Edinburgh, which is why many homeowners never encounter export limits at all. For these systems:
- You don’t need prior grid approval
- Your installer notifies the DNO after installation
- Export is rarely restricted
G99 Solar Installations For Large or Battery Systems
If your system:
- Exceeds 3.68kW export capacity
- Includes battery storage
- Or is otherwise higher-capacity
Then it falls under G99, which requires approval before installation.
Under G99, the DNO assesses local grid capacity, an export limit is often set, and an export limitation scheme may be required. This is where export caps are most common, particularly in areas with high solar uptake.
Why Does the Edinburgh Grid Restrict Solar Exports?
The reality is, Edinburgh’s electricity grid was designed for one-way power flow, not thousands of small generators feeding power back simultaneously. During peak solar generation:
- Voltage can rise too high
- Power quality can degrade
- Nearby homes can be affected
Export limits are a technical safeguard, not a policy decision. They protect equipment, maintain reliability, and allow more solar systems to connect without expensive network upgrades.
What Happens If the Local Grid Is Near Capacity?
When the grid has limited spare capacity, the DNO may still approve your system, but with conditions. Common outcomes include:
- A fixed export cap, such as 3kW, 4kW, or 5kW
- Installation of an export limitation device
- Inverter settings that automatically restrict export
This approach is often far cheaper and faster than reinforcing the local network, which is why DNOs use it so widely.
Do Export Limits Make Battery Storage More Valuable?
In many Edinburgh homes, yes. When export is limited, batteries store excess solar instead of wasting it, stored energy is used in the evening, and grid imports drop significantly. In export-restricted systems, batteries often deliver better returns than adding more panels.
Can You Increase Your Solar Export Limit?
Sometimes, but it’s not guaranteed. You can request a reassessment by the DNO and a higher export allowance. Moreover, the approval depends on:
- Local grid conditions
- Nearby generation and demand
- Whether reinforcement would be required
In most residential cases, major upgrades aren’t cost-effective, so systems are designed around the approved limit instead.
Grid Approval Times and Solar System Planning in Edinburgh
Grid approval times in Edinburgh depend on the size of your solar system. G98 notifications are completed after installation, so standard domestic systems can go ahead without delays. G99 applications usually take between 10 and 45 working days, as the grid operator needs time to check local capacity and set any export limits.
The qualified Renew-able Solutions solar panel installation services handle everything for you, from grid paperwork and export MPAN requests to inverter setup, so you don’t have to manage the technical side.
To plan your solar panel installation, the best approach is to check grid capacity early, design the system around realistic export limits, and use battery storage to maximise self-consumption rather than relying on exports alone.
Final Words
The Edinburgh grid can limit solar exports, but for most homeowners, this should not be an issue. With the right system design, realistic expectations, and a knowledgeable installer, export limits don’t reduce the value of solar. You just need to plan around the grid, not against it, and solar remains a smart, reliable investment for Edinburgh homes.
