Grid Guru April 2026 Newsletter
- Neil Avery
- Apr 13
- 3 min read
Solar & Heat Pump Industry Updates
April 2026 Newsletter covering Regulation changes, policy updates and industry news shaping your work right now
Welcome to the first edition of the Grid Guru Monthly Briefing April 2026 Newsletter.
We work exclusively with UK solar PV and heat pump installers, handling the compliance work that takes time away from installation — including G98/G99 DNO applications, MCS handover packs, and system design.
This monthly update is designed to keep you informed on the changes that directly affect your day-to-day work. No sales pitches — just useful, relevant information.
Regulation & Policy Updates
NGED Connection Charges – Now in Effect
From 1st April 2026, National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) has introduced formal notification and feasibility assessment charges.
Smaller installs: from ~£400+
Larger / complex applications: £1,000+
If you’re working in the Midlands, South West, or South Wales, it’s now essential to factor these costs into your pricing.
G99 Issue 2 – Battery Storage Update
The latest update to EREC G99 (Issue 2) came into force in March 2026.
All battery systems installed after January 2026 must now:
Respond to low grid frequency conditions
Adjust operation in line with updated grid standards
Action: Confirm your inverter and battery firmware complies before installation.
£15 Billion Warm Homes Plan
The UK Government has launched a £15 billion programme to upgrade up to 5 million homes by 2030.
Key points:
Fully funded installs for low-income households
Solar PV, batteries, and heat pumps included
BUS grant (£7,500) remains unchanged
This is a major pipeline opportunity for installers.
Future Homes Standard
New-build regulations are tightening.
Expected requirements:
Solar PV on most new homes
Low-carbon heating (typically heat pumps)
Over 25% of UK new builds already included heat pumps in 2025 — this will only increase.
MCS Scheme Overhaul
The biggest MCS update since launch is now underway.
Changes include:
Reduced paperwork
Risk-based assessments
Fewer site visits for high-performing installers
Consumer Code membership now optional
NICEIC is now delivering the updated scheme, with phased transitions through 2026.
Technology & Industry Updates
Tesla Becomes UK Energy Supplier
Tesla has been granted a UK electricity supply licence.
What this means:
Direct-to-consumer energy sales
Growth of full “home energy ecosystems”
Increased demand for integrated system design
Expect customers to ask more about combining solar, storage, EV charging, and supply.
Plug-In Solar Set for Legalisation
The UK Government is set to legalise plug-in solar systems in 2026.
BS 7671 Amendment 4 incoming
New BSI product standards
Major uptake expected (Germany saw 426,000 installs in 2025)
This opens up a huge new market — especially for renters and flats.
Grid Constraints & Solar Growth
The UK needs 45–47GW of solar by 2030 — but grid delays remain the biggest barrier.
Trends emerging:
Bifacial panels gaining traction
Solar + storage becoming standard
Private wire systems increasing
Installers who understand grid strategy will have a clear advantage.
Heat Pumps – Momentum Building
Heat pump adoption continues to grow as barriers reduce.
Updates:
Planning restrictions easing
MCS expanding standards (including air-to-air)
New incentives for heat battery tech being explored
Worth discussing with customers now — especially ahead of future incentives.
Where We Get Our Information
We monitor the following to keep this briefing accurate and relevant:
Final Thoughts
The industry is moving fast — particularly around grid rules, compliance standards, and government-backed funding.
Installers who stay ahead of these changes will:
Quote more accurately
Avoid delays
Win more work
We’ll keep this briefing consistent each month so you don’t have to chase the updates yourself.
How Grid Guru Can Help
We provide a complete compliance and design service for installers:
Contact Grid Guru today and we’ll walk you through it.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re an installer and want to hand off your admin starting today, click below to submit your next job:
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T: 02920 609009
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