How do I go about organising a tie-in/connection to the grid?

Your chosen supplier could take care of the documentation necessary. It is a quick form so should be done at no extra cost. They should also take care of the hiring of a RECI or ECSSA certified electrician to carry out the connection to ETCI standards as part of their service.

Form NC6, available from the ESB Networks website, should be submitted well in advance of any grid tie-in.

NC6 is a straight forward one page form which includes:

• Name, address and co-ordinates of the site
• Contact details
• MPRN number
• Unique number assigned to each meter point
• Printed on the top of your bill
• Installer contact details
• Make, model and serial number of inverter (grid connected electronics)
• Declaration of conformance with "Conditions governing the connection and operation of microgeneration" including EN 50438.
• Details of generating unit
• Make and model
• Type of technology (wind, PV, micro-hydro, micro-CHP etc.)
• Unit Rating and phases generated
• Details of inverter unit.

Type-test certification for the inverter (the unit tying the system into the grid) should accompany the NC6 form. The certification required should declare conformance with EN50438 which is the appropriate standard for grid connected units. The suppliers should provide you with this paper work if you are submitting the NC6 form yourself.

You will need an import/export meter to avail of any payment for exported energy. The import/export meter currently available in Ireland is referred to as an 'interval meter'. It is now supplied automatically and for free to customers when they submit the NC6 form.