Short answer
What you need to know first.
For the grid connection of a PV system in Schaffhausen, grid operator, EKS portal, meter process, safety certificate and Pronovo/HKN must fit together before commissioning. Plug-in systems up to 600 watts also require notification; fixed systems need professional electrical coordination and, separately, the building-law 30-day notification to the municipality.
Important
As of 2026, the key boundary is this: a municipal 30-day notification in Canton Schaffhausen does not automatically make the system grid-ready. EKS portal, meter, safety certificate, independent inspection, Pronovo certification and guarantee-of-origin standing order are separate technical or energy-market steps.
Decision points
What determines the right path.
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 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.
Sequence
How the project stays cleanly managed.
- 1
Determine grid area and project sizebefore 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.
- 2
Start building-law handling in parallelsubmit 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.
- 3
Prepare the EKS portal through the specialist contractorthe registered electrical or solar contractor creates the generation system, devices and any battery in the installer portal. EKS notes that processing of a grid-connection request only starts after the customer login has been confirmed.
- 4
Define meter and metering conceptbefore 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.
- 5
Sequence safety certificate and inspectionafter 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.
- 6
Complete commissioning and feed-infinish 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.
- 7
Check Pronovo activationafter 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.
Checklist
Questions to settle before the quote.
- Before the quote, clarify whether EKS is responsible at the connection point or another local grid operator
- Prepare generation system, battery, completion notice and change notification in the EKS installer portal
- Plan the safety certificate, PV measurement and test protocol and independent inspection under ESTI/NIV rules
- Complete the guarantee-of-origin standing order, feed-in contract and Pronovo activation from the current quarter cleanly
FAQ
Common questions on this topic.
Sources
Official sources & references.
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.
- Photovoltaic systems and guarantees of origin at EKSElektrizitätswerk des Kantons Schaffhausen AG
- EKS installer portalElektrizitätswerk des Kantons Schaffhausen AG
- ESTI safety certificatesSwiss Federal Inspectorate for Heavy Current Installations ESTI
- ESTI photovoltaics and NIVSwiss Federal Inspectorate for Heavy Current Installations ESTI
- Solar systems Canton SchaffhausenCanton Schaffhausen