Background
#The PV grid connection in Schaffhausen is not a single form in the standard case, but a workflow through the EKS portal, electrical contractor, meter, safety certificate and commissioning.
For new cases, EKS now directs contractors exclusively to the new installer portal: the contractor must register once and upload its installer certificate; new registrations by email are not processed. The previous portal is only available to complete cases that were already registered. One important exception concerns plug-in solar devices up to 600 watts: after installation, they too must be registered with EKS using the form and the manufacturer’s declaration of conformity.
For fixed PV systems, it also matters whether guarantees of origin are to be transferred to EKS; EKS only remunerates guarantees of origin for systems up to and including 500 kWp if the system is certified by Pronovo and registered in the guarantee-of-origin system. The building-law notification to the municipal building authority remains separate and must be submitted in Canton Schaffhausen no later than 30 days before construction starts.
What matters in the canton of Schaffhausen
#The first factor is the responsible grid operator at the connection point: EKS operates an installer portal in Canton Schaffhausen where consumption systems, generation systems, devices, batteries, completion notices and change notifications are managed. Without this assignment, portal, meter process and feed-in contract cannot be planned reliably.
The portal change affects the project start: EKS no longer processes new cases through the previous portal or by email. The registered contractor must set up access to the new installer portal and upload its installer certificate; cases already registered may still be completed through the previous portal.
The second factor is electrical documentation: according to ESTI, the safety certificate confirms that an electrical installation meets the requirements of Art. 3 and 4 NIV at the time of issue. For photovoltaic systems, ESTI requires the photovoltaic measurement and test protocol under Directive 233.
The third factor is the acceptance inspection: for non-plan-approval PV systems connected to a low-voltage distribution grid, ESTI states that the owner must arrange an acceptance inspection by an independent inspection body within six months and submit the safety certificate to the grid operator.
The fourth factor is the meter: for plug-in solar devices, EKS explicitly states that a digital electricity meter with backstop is required and that EKS installs a smart meter if needed. For fixed systems, the meter question therefore belongs in commissioning planning, not at the end of the project.
The fifth factor is guarantee-of-origin remuneration: EKS remunerates guarantees of origin in addition to the feed-in tariff only if the system produces solar power, has a capacity up to and including 500 kWp, is certified by Pronovo, is registered in the guarantee-of-origin system, is permanently connected to the EKS grid and has a valid feed-in contract plus guarantee-of-origin standing order.
The sixth factor is the separation between grid and building law: the cantonal notification form requires the solar system to be submitted to the local building authority no later than 30 days before construction starts. This notification does not replace the EKS portal, safety certificate, meter change or Pronovo/HKN steps.
The process in seven steps
#Tick off for your project
Determine grid area and project size
before the quote, clarify whether EKS is responsible at the connection point, whether a battery is included and whether the system can fall within the guarantee-of-origin framework up to and including 500 kWp. These details steer portal, feed-in and metering concept.
Start building-law handling in parallel
submit Canton Schaffhausen’s solar notification form to the local building authority no later than 30 days before construction starts. If the project deviates from Art. 32a RPV, involves protected buildings or conflicts with design requirements, a building permit may be needed.
Set up the new EKS portal access
for new cases, the electrical or solar contractor registers in the new installer portal, uploads the installer certificate and then confirms the customer login. New registrations by email are not processed; cases already entered in the previous portal are only completed there.
Define meter and metering concept
before installation, clarify whether an existing meter must be replaced and whether feed-in, self-consumption, battery or later vZEV/LEG use must be measured cleanly. EKS explicitly names the digital meter with backstop as a requirement for plug-in systems.
Sequence safety certificate and inspection
after installation and final inspection, have the safety certificate with photovoltaic measurement and test protocol prepared. For non-plan-approval PV systems on the low-voltage grid, ESTI requires the independent acceptance inspection to be arranged within six months.
Complete commissioning and feed-in
finish completion notice, meter release and feed-in contract cleanly before regular operation. Anyone who wants to transfer guarantees of origin to EKS must, according to EKS, bring together Pronovo certification, the guarantee-of-origin standing order and the valid feed-in contract.
Check Pronovo activation
after receiving the contract, EKS creates the guarantee-of-origin standing order with Pronovo; the operator must confirm the Pronovo email link. According to EKS, guarantees of origin can be settled retroactively no earlier than from the beginning of the current quarter.
Checked for your roof, not just read up on
Once the framing is clear, a property-specific check with roof, grid and documentation is worthwhile.
Frequently asked questions
#Sources
#The responsible authorities are decisive. Always verify binding details – amounts, deadlines and conditions – for your specific property against the current status of the respective authority.