--- title: "Solar Inverters | South East Solar Network" description: "Replacement, upgrade and hybrid-conversion specialists. Free quotes from vetted MCS-accredited installers across the South East." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "South East Solar Network", "url": "https://southeastsolarnetwork.co.uk", "areaServed": "South East England", "telephone": "+443335671183", "logo": "https://southeastsolarnetwork.co.uk/favicon.ico", "image": "https://storage.googleapis.com/gpt-engineer-file-uploads/attachments/og-images/1696c2df-452b-4380-b418-fd3f1c9a128a" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://southeastsolarnetwork.co.uk/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Services", "item": "https://southeastsolarnetwork.co.uk/services" } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which service should I choose first — panels, battery or EV charger?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In almost every case, solar panels come first. They generate the electricity a battery stores and an EV charger consumes, and the panel install determines your inverter choice for the other two. If budget is tight, start with a hybrid-inverter solar install sized for future battery capacity — it's cheaper to add the battery later than to retrofit the wrong inverter." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I have to buy all my services from the same installer?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No, but there are real advantages to bundling. A single installer means one warranty pack, one MCS certificate covering solar and battery, one DNO application, and no finger-pointing when something goes wrong. Bundled solar + battery + EV-charger quotes are typically 8-15% cheaper than three separate installers, and the commissioning is meaningfully cleaner." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long does each service take to install?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Solar panels: 1-2 days on the roof plus a day for inverter and commissioning. Battery retrofit: 1 day. EV charger: half a day. Commercial installs: 1-3 weeks depending on system size. Scaffolding is usually delivered 1-2 days before roof work and removed the same week." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What warranties come with each service?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Solar panels: 25-30 years performance, 12-15 years product. Inverters: 10-12 years extendable to 20. Batteries: 10-15 years or 6,000+ cycles. Workmanship: 12 years via RECC / MCS. EV chargers: 3-5 years depending on brand. All warranties are backed by named manufacturers and transferable if you sell the house." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Are all your services MCS-certified?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Solar PV and battery storage installs are MCS-certified — that is essential for the Smart Export Guarantee and for battery grant schemes. EV chargers do not fall under MCS but are installed to BS 7671 by qualified electricians registered with NICEIC or NAPIT. Maintenance and repairs are performed by MCS-registered engineers where the original install was MCS-certified." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can you service systems installed by another company?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. Around one in five service and repair calls we attend involves a system installed by another firm — sometimes one that has ceased trading. We re-bind monitoring, source spares, re-register the system on the MCS database where possible, and bring it back to full serviceable condition." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do you offer commercial as well as residential services?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes — commercial solar up to 500 kWp, agricultural buildings, community projects, workplace EV charging and battery storage integrated with demand-side response revenue. See the Commercial Solar service page for typical payback figures and grid-connection processes." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I get a quote for multiple services at once?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Use the quote form on this page and tell us in the notes field which services you're considering — for example 'solar + 10 kWh battery + 7 kW Zappi charger'. We'll match you to an installer who does all three in-house and can price the bundle as one job." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "How long does an inverter swap take?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Most replacements are a 4-6 hour job. Hybrid conversions with battery installation add a further half-day." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Will a new inverter improve my generation?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Modern inverters typically run at 97-98% efficiency versus 94-96% on units a decade old, and they handle low-light conditions far better. Real-world generation gains of 3-7% are common after a like-for-like upgrade — more if your old unit was already degrading." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I keep my existing panels?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Almost always yes. The MC4 connectors, string voltages and panel power outputs from the last 15 years are compatible with current inverters. We confirm compatibility before quoting." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Do I need DNO approval for a swap?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Like-for-like replacements under the original kW rating don't need fresh DNO approval. Uprating (e.g. going from a 3.68 kW to a 5 kW inverter, or adding battery export) does — we handle the G98 / G99 paperwork." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Services", "item": "/services" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Solar Inverters", "item": "/services/solar-inverters" } ] } ] --- MCS-accredited · Vetted local installers · Free no-obligation quotes [0333 567 1183](tel:+443335671183) [South East Solar Network ](/) [Services](/services)[Areas](/areas)[Guides](/guides)[Calculators](/calculators)[About](/about)[Contact](/contact) / [0333 567 1183](tel:+443335671183)[Free Quote](/contact) 1. [Home](/)/ 2. [Services](/services)/ 3. Solar Inverters # Solar Inverters Replacement, upgrade and hybrid-conversion specialists. [Free quote](#quote)[Call 0333 567 1183](tel:+443335671183) MCS-accredited Vetted installers RECC · TrustMark ## Quote me for inverters Share a few details and a trusted MCS-accredited installer in your area will be in touch shortly. Full namePhoneEmail (optional)Postcode Notes (optional) Your privacy matters: We will only pass your details to **1 vetted solar firm** who we feel is the best match for your needs — never multiple companies. Get my free quote By submitting this form you agree to our [Terms of Use](/terms) and [Privacy Policy](/privacy). MCS Certified Installers RECC Consumer Code 0% VAT on Solar Up to 25-Year Warranty Finance From 0% APR Rated 4.9 / 5 on Reviews Jump to a section about inverters An inverter is the brain of your solar system. They typically last 10-15 years — and when one fails, an upgrade to a modern hybrid inverter can unlock battery storage, smarter monitoring and meaningful efficiency gains over the original string inverter. ## Brands we work with SolarEdge, Fronius, Enphase, GivEnergy, Solis, SMA, Sungrow, Solax, Fox ESS, Huawei. We hold genuine spares for fast diagnostics. ## Hybrid conversion Replacing an older string inverter with a hybrid unit (e.g. GivEnergy AIO, Solax X1 Hybrid, Sungrow SH-RS) makes adding a battery far simpler later — often with no new wall-mounting work required. ## String, hybrid or microinverters? String inverters are simplest and cheapest but treat the whole array as one — shade or a failed panel drags the rest down. Hybrid inverters add battery management and time-of-use scheduling on one unit. Microinverters (Enphase) put MPPT on every panel for the best shaded-roof performance and panel-level monitoring, at a 20-30% price premium. We recommend by roof and goal, not by what we have in stock. ## Signs your inverter is failing Repeated isolation trips, audible fan noise on previously silent units, a steady drop in daily generation versus historic data, error codes referencing IGBT, DC bus or grid impedance, and any visible discolouration around the case vents are all leading indicators. Catching them early lets you replace under warranty or before a generation-losing failure. ## Warranty extensions Most major brands sell warranty extensions at install time that are far cheaper than buying them later — typically £150-£350 to extend a 10-year warranty to 15 or 20 years. We always quote the extension as a line item so you can make the call with the real numbers in front of you. ## Replacement timeline and downtime Like-for-like replacements are usually a 4-6 hour job with a half-day of generation downtime. Hybrid conversions including battery add a further half-day. We always commission the new unit on the same visit so you leave the day with full monitoring and exported-energy metering working. Areas covered ## Counties we serve [ Inverters in Kent ](/solar-installers-kent)[ Inverters in Surrey ](/solar-installers-surrey)[ Inverters in Hampshire ](/solar-installers-hampshire)[ Inverters in West Sussex ](/solar-installers-west-sussex)[ Inverters in East Sussex ](/solar-installers-east-sussex)[ Inverters in Berkshire ](/solar-installers-berkshire)[ Inverters in Buckinghamshire ](/solar-installers-buckinghamshire)[ Inverters in Oxfordshire ](/solar-installers-oxfordshire)[ Inverters in Isle of Wight ](/solar-installers-isle-of-wight)[ Inverters in Essex ](/solar-installers-essex) [See every town we cover](/areas) Popular towns ## Inverters near you [ Inverters in Maidstone ME14 ](/solar-installers-maidstone)[ Inverters in Canterbury CT1 ](/solar-installers-canterbury)[ Inverters in Ashford TN23 ](/solar-installers-ashford)[ Inverters in Tunbridge Wells TN1 ](/solar-installers-tunbridge-wells)[ Inverters in Sevenoaks TN13 ](/solar-installers-sevenoaks)[ Inverters in Dartford DA1 ](/solar-installers-dartford)[ Inverters in Tonbridge TN9 ](/solar-installers-tonbridge)[ Inverters in Folkestone CT19 ](/solar-installers-folkestone)[ Inverters in Margate CT9 ](/solar-installers-margate) Related reading ## Helpful guides before you buy [ Are Solar Panels Worth It in the UK in 2026? An honest, numbers-led look at solar economics, payback periods and ROI for UK homeowners — county by county. ](/guides/are-solar-panels-worth-it-uk)[ Solar Panel Costs UK 2026: Real Prices, No Sales Spin What you should actually expect to pay for a residential solar system in 2026 — fully installed, including all the bits. ](/guides/solar-panel-costs-uk)[ Solar Battery Costs UK 2026: Brands, Capacities, Payback What batteries cost in 2026, which brands lead, and how to size storage so it actually pays back. ](/guides/solar-battery-costs-uk)[ Solar Payback Period UK: 7-10 Years on Most Homes How to model solar payback honestly — and what drives it up or down. ](/guides/solar-payback-period-uk) Explore the topic ## Everything you need on inverters Descriptive links across our calculators, guides, services and local installer areas — pick the next step that fits where you are. Calculate Run the numbers - [Solar savings & payback calculator Model annual bill savings and payback years ](/calculators) - [What size solar system do I need? Right-size your array to your usage ](/calculators) - [Battery storage ROI calculator See the extra savings a battery unlocks ](/calculators) - [EV home charging cost calculator Compare charging on solar vs the grid ](/calculators) Learn Guides for inverters - [Are Solar Panels Worth It in the UK in 2026? An honest, numbers-led look at solar economics, payback periods and RO ](/guides/are-solar-panels-worth-it-uk) - [Solar Panel Costs UK 2026: Real Prices, No Sales Spin What you should actually expect to pay for a residential solar system ](/guides/solar-panel-costs-uk) - [Solar Battery Costs UK 2026: Brands, Capacities, Payback What batteries cost in 2026, which brands lead, and how to size storag ](/guides/solar-battery-costs-uk) - [Solar Payback Period UK: 7-10 Years on Most Homes How to model solar payback honestly — and what drives it up or down. ](/guides/solar-payback-period-uk) Compare Related solar services - [Solar Panel Installation MCS-certified solar PV installs across the South East. ](/services/solar-panel-installation) - [Solar Battery Storage Tesla, GivEnergy, Fox ESS and more — fully fitted, fully certified. ](/services/solar-battery-storage) - [Solar Panel Maintenance Annual health checks that protect your investment. ](/services/solar-panel-maintenance) - [Solar Panel Repairs Fast diagnosis and repair, any brand. ](/services/solar-panel-repairs) Find installers Inverters near you - [Inverters installers in Kent Maidstone · Canterbury · Ashford ](/solar-installers-kent) - [Inverters installers in Surrey Guildford · Woking · Cobham ](/solar-installers-surrey) - [Inverters installers in Hampshire Southampton · Portsmouth · Winchester ](/solar-installers-hampshire) - [Inverters installers in West Sussex Worthing · Crawley · Horsham ](/solar-installers-west-sussex) FAQs ## What people ask How long does an inverter swap take? Most replacements are a 4-6 hour job. Hybrid conversions with battery installation add a further half-day. Will a new inverter improve my generation? Modern inverters typically run at 97-98% efficiency versus 94-96% on units a decade old, and they handle low-light conditions far better. Real-world generation gains of 3-7% are common after a like-for-like upgrade — more if your old unit was already degrading. Can I keep my existing panels? Almost always yes. The MC4 connectors, string voltages and panel power outputs from the last 15 years are compatible with current inverters. We confirm compatibility before quoting. Do I need DNO approval for a swap? Like-for-like replacements under the original kW rating don't need fresh DNO approval. Uprating (e.g. going from a 3.68 kW to a 5 kW inverter, or adding battery export) does — we handle the G98 / G99 paperwork. ## Get your free quote Vetted local installer · MCS certified · No obligation [Request my quote](/services/solar-inverters#quote)[Call 0333 567 1183](tel:+443335671183) South East Solar Network MCS-accredited residential solar installers across the South East of England. Vetted, insured, RECC-protected. [0333 567 1183](tel:+443335671183) [quotes@southeastsolarnetwork.co.uk](mailto:quotes@southeastsolarnetwork.co.uk) South East Solar Network Courtwick Ln, Wick Littlehampton BN17 7TL Counties - [Kent](/solar-installers-kent) - [Surrey](/solar-installers-surrey) - [Hampshire](/solar-installers-hampshire) - [West Sussex](/solar-installers-west-sussex) - [East Sussex](/solar-installers-east-sussex) - [Berkshire](/solar-installers-berkshire) - [Buckinghamshire](/solar-installers-buckinghamshire) - [Oxfordshire](/solar-installers-oxfordshire) - [Isle of Wight](/solar-installers-isle-of-wight) - [Essex](/solar-installers-essex) - [All areas →](/areas) Services - [Solar Installation](/services/solar-panel-installation) - [Battery Storage](/services/solar-battery-storage) - [Maintenance](/services/solar-panel-maintenance) - [Repairs](/services/solar-panel-repairs) - [Commercial](/services/commercial-solar) - [EV Chargers](/services/ev-charger-installation) - [Inverters](/services/solar-inverters) - [Cleaning](/services/solar-panel-cleaning) Popular guides - [Are Solar Panels Worth It in the UK in 2026?](/guides/are-solar-panels-worth-it-uk) - [Solar Panel Costs UK 2026: Real Prices, No Sales Spin](/guides/solar-panel-costs-uk) - [Solar Battery Costs UK 2026: Brands, Capacities, Payback](/guides/solar-battery-costs-uk) - [Solar Payback Period UK: 7-10 Years on Most Homes](/guides/solar-payback-period-uk) - [Best Solar Batteries UK 2026: Honest Brand Comparison](/guides/best-solar-batteries-uk-2026) - [Solar Grants UK 2026: ECO4, 0% VAT, Smart Export Guarantee](/guides/solar-grants-uk-2026) - [All guides →](/guides) Company - [About](/about) - [Contact](/contact) - [Guides](/guides) - [Calculators](/calculators) - [Privacy](/privacy) - [Terms](/terms) © 2026 South East Solar Network. All rights reserved. MCS-accredited installer network · RECC consumer code · FCA-regulated finance partners [Call Now](tel:+443335671183) [Free Quote](#quote)