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Grid Operator Registration PV Bern: BKW & ewb Process

Anyone connecting a PV system to the grid in canton Bern first clarifies who is responsible: in the city of Bern the distribution grid operator is Energie Wasser Bern (ewb), across most of the rest of the canton it is BKW Energie AG, plus local utilities such as Localnet in Burgdorf. The standard process follows the VSE industry rules: the appointed contractor submits a technical connection application (TAG) before construction, and the grid operator checks the feed-in capacity and any grid expansion needed. Only after approval do the binding registration via installation notice, construction, commissioning and the safety certificate (SiNa) under NIV follow. For the one-time remuneration and guarantees of origin, a commissioning notification to Pronovo is also required. Exception: plug-and-play systems are exempt from approval but must be notified (up to 600 W per consumer line at ewb).

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Contents

Short answerAt a glanceDecision pointsSequenceChecklistFAQSources

Short answer

Which grid operator is responsible for my PV system in canton Bern?

For owners in canton Bern who need to know in what order which document goes to which grid operator (BKW, ewb, local utility) and to Pronovo before the PV system may be built and connected to the grid.

Important

As of 2026: plug-and-play systems are exempt from approval at ewb but must be notified and are limited to 600 W per consumer line. All larger systems need a technical connection application before construction. For new systems with a connection application from 1 July 2026, the feed-in limit of 70 % of the installed DC module power also applies.

At a glance

Key figures: Grid Operator Registration PV Bern

Key figures for Grid Operator Registration PV Bern, updated 27 June 2026
MetricValue
Plug-and-play threshold (ewb)Exempt from approval but subject to notification up to 600 W per consumer line
Feed-in limit70 % of installed DC module power, for connection applications from 1 July 2026
Pronovo advance noticeOne month before commissioning; accreditation at the latest one month afterwards
One-time remuneration KLEIV/GREIVKLEIV below 100 kW, GREIV from 100 kW; HEIV from 2 to 149.99 kW without self-consumption
Approval sequenceTechnical connection application before construction; building only after approval

Decision points

What determines the right path.

Location determines the grid operator: ewb is responsible in the city of Bern, BKW across most of the rest of the canton, alongside local utilities such as Localnet (Burgdorf). The grid rules and notification forms differ per operator.

The technical connection application (TAG) must be submitted before construction. The grid operator checks whether the distribution grid can absorb the planned feed-in power and whether a grid expansion is needed.

Where grid capacity is tight, BKW may grant approval subject to conditions: the system initially feeds in at reduced power, full power only after the grid has been reinforced.

A valid safety certificate (SiNa) with PV measurement and test protocol is mandatory for all PV installations subject to NIV inspection and is issued by the authorised inspection person.

The one-time remuneration and guarantees of origin require a commissioning notification to Pronovo. The advance notice is due one month before commissioning, the accreditation at the latest one month afterwards.

For new systems with a connection application submitted from 1 July 2026, a grid-supportive feed-in limit of 70 % of the installed DC module power applies. This affects sizing and economics.

Sequence

How the project stays cleanly managed.

  1. 1

    Determine the responsible grid operator from the addressewb in the city of Bern, BKW across most of the rest of the canton, or a local utility such as Localnet (Burgdorf), Onyx or IBI.

  2. 2

    Appoint a contractor (electrician or solar professional) who submits the technical connection application (TAG) to the grid operator before construction.

  3. 3

    Wait for the grid operator's approvalit checks the feed-in power and any grid expansion; where capacity is tight, approval may be granted subject to conditions.

  4. 4

    After approval, submit the binding registration via installation notice; only then may the PV system be built and connected.

  5. 5

    Commission the system, have the safety certificate (SiNa) with PV measurement and test protocol issued by the authorised inspection person, and order the meter from the grid operator, who installs it.

  6. 6

    Handle the commissioning notification to Pronovoadvance notice one month before commissioning, accreditation at the latest one month afterwards, for the one-time remuneration and guarantees of origin.

  7. 7

    Arrange the feed-in remuneration contractually with the grid operator; at ewb it is based on the quarterly reference market price under the Energy Act.

Checklist

Questions to settle before the quote.

  • Technical connection application before construction
  • Responsibility: BKW, ewb or local utility
  • Safety certificate and Pronovo notification

FAQ

More questions: Grid Operator Registration PV Bern

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.

Continue

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