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System upgrade · Inverter replacement guide

Solar inverter replacement — when to replace and what it costs

Solar inverters last 10–15 years on average. When yours fails, behaves erratically, or is past economic repair, replacement is the right path. This guide covers how to decide between repair and replacement, what a good replacement looks like, realistic costs, and what the installation process involves.
  • Diagnose before replacing
  • £795 supply and fit
  • All major brands
Ready to book a replacement?

The inverter replacement service covers diagnosis (if needed), old unit decommission, new unit supply and fitting, commissioning, settings migration, and post-installation testing — all confirmed in writing before work begins.

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5.0
13 Trustpilot reviews
Trustpilot Google

I have a GivEnergy system consisting of two batteries, two inverters and a controlling EMS (Energy Management System) which has not worked since Nov 2025. After six months I discovered Solar Tech Support, reached out to them and Ron phoned me back – how often do you get that service? Could not be more helpful – worked directly with me over the phone, outside what I would call normal working hours. Lucid explanations and we were able to discuss the issues and history using camera and email history. As this was a very rare setup, Ron was able to access an EMS expert in the field to confirm the solution. One sunny day in, I am now only paying for standing charge and a few pence for spikes in grid consumption while battery catches up with house demand.

Ian · May 2026 Trustpilot

When my GivEnergy system had an issue, I was completely left without support and had honestly lost all hope. Thankfully, I searched online and found Ron, which completely turned things around. After sending him a message, he responded incredibly fast and called me to assure me that he would get the problem fixed. I really admire his dedicated, supportive nature and his determination to find a solution. With this kind of outstanding attitude and customer service, he has absolutely secured a future customer in me.

Sree · May 2026 Trustpilot

Ron want out of is way to help, nothing was to much. He was very thorough in what he did Very knowledgeable I would highly recommend Ron and his company He did a fantastic job for me. if you have any problems, he'll do his best to help you out and resolve your problem. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them

Dennis Brown · May 2026 Trustpilot

Ron took me through a diagnostic to confirm my GivEnergy Inverter had a fault. A common one as it turns out with the AC Inverter. As GivEnergy is defunct there is no immediate fix, aside from sourcing 2nd hand replacement. It may be that a fix becomes available over the summer which would make a lot of GivEnergy customers happy (Again)

Tony Deacon · May 2026 Trustpilot

Contacted Ron with a problem and he sorted it out quickly with no problems at all. Very knowledgeable on anything solar/ batteries. I would recommend him to anyone

Phill · May 2026 Trustpilot

I've spoken to Ron a couple of times with issues with my Givenergy installation. Such a friendly knowledge guy very highly recommended. Thank you very much for resolving my issues

michael fairhurst · May 2026 Trustpilot

Contacted Solar Tech Support in desperation. After explaining the issues I had with my system a diagnosis was made and a solution proposed. Fantastic service, even contacted a manufacturer to arrange replacement parts for me. Great communications, explained all they were doing and what I had to do, clearly and precisly. Followed up to confirm all was ok. Excellent service.

Mr Machin · May 2026 Trustpilot

After GivEnergy went into liquidation, just my luck, my battery started playing up (internal board crashed). Contacted my installer - not interested! Found Solar tech support on a Google search. Sooo glad I found this company! Ron is extremely helpful and has plenty of experience. He soon confirmed what the fault was, and helped me to get my system up and running again. Now moved my GivEnergy account to Solar tech support, and will definitely use again if I have more issues. Unusual to find such a helpful company in these times, no morons reading scripts, just direct contact with the engineer.

Keith Ballard · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

Contacted Solar Tech Support when trying to understand what my Givenergy inverter problem might be and what might be my options. Received good/honest advise which backed up my thoughts.

Hugh Speirs · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

Ron is a super star. Two months ago my GivEnergy battery failed a firmware upgrade leaving it a brick. My installer couldn't/wouldn't fix it. GivEnergy couldn't/wouldn't fix it. Then they went into administration and all hope was lost. A flurry of emails later and Ron had diagnosed the fault (failed USB flash drive, something I'd suspected) and talked me through resolving it. Two months of nothing resolved in about 3 hours. It's great to work with someone who pays attention to the details, knows that they're doing (not just following a script) and gets stuff sorted without a fuss or up-charging.

Christopher · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

I can add to the list of customers who had already 'given up' on GivEnergy due to their appalling customer service, and that was before they went into administration (their Trustpilot reviews don't lie!). So you can imagine my desperation when, having changed my ISP and my Inverter, predictably, proving to be the only device that didn't connect automatically to my new network, I found zero prospect of any customer support with GivEnergy having called in the administrators just five days earlier! The salvation came from Solar Tech Support. My IT advisor stumbled across their web site and some very helpful tips for beleaguered GivEnergy customers, as well as an offer to provide direct assistance. Nothing ventured, I decided to drop them an E-Mail, with very low expectations based on my experience of GivEnergy customer support. Within an hour Ron had responded with some pin point advice, and after a few exchanges of E-Mails he had nailed the problem, enabling the combined efforts of my IT advisor and solar installer to resolve it and reconnect my Inverter. Thank you Solar Tech Support, and Ron in particular, for coming to the aid of a deserted and despondent GivEnergy customer. Expert, razor sharp advice and first class customer service, even though I wasn't officially a customer.

customer · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

This company are a rare gem, I had a very unusual problem following a failed firmware upgrade on my GivEnergy kit. I then found out GivEnergy were in administration and had dismissed all their support staff! None of the usual fixes to try and restore my inverter comms would work, and I looked everywhere, forums, GivEnergy youtube support videos - even AI couldn't figure it out. My installer was talking about huge sums for system replacements, and being vague / evasive about if they'd even install replacement GivEnergy inverter. Enter Solar Tech Support, reassuring and knowledgeable from the very start, I've learnt loads about my solar system though the friendly chat while my engineer worked as he diagnosed the problem and figured out a fix procedure that I've not found anywhere else - amazing . If you need solar system repairs - especially if you like me have been left high and dry by GivEnergy, I cannot recommend this company enough. Give them a call.

Andy Thomas · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

I sent a message on their website regarding a problem I have on my Givenergy system. Although not supplied by Ronald, I thought it was worth an email. Within the hour on a Saturday, he phoned and we discussed the problem. He logged in remotely and gave excellent advice. I'm too far away for his on-site help but he did diagnose the problem and was happy also to chat through my thoughts about an upcoming solar/battery install I'm planning. Great bloke.... if only he was nearer!

Philip · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

I have a GivEnergy system consisting of two batteries, two inverters and a controlling EMS (Energy Management System) which has not worked since Nov 2025. After six months I discovered Solar Tech Support, reached out to them and Ron phoned me back – how often do you get that service? Could not be more helpful – worked directly with me over the phone, outside what I would call normal working hours. Lucid explanations and we were able to discuss the issues and history using camera and email history. As this was a very rare setup, Ron was able to access an EMS expert in the field to confirm the solution. One sunny day in, I am now only paying for standing charge and a few pence for spikes in grid consumption while battery catches up with house demand.

Ian · May 2026 Trustpilot

When my GivEnergy system had an issue, I was completely left without support and had honestly lost all hope. Thankfully, I searched online and found Ron, which completely turned things around. After sending him a message, he responded incredibly fast and called me to assure me that he would get the problem fixed. I really admire his dedicated, supportive nature and his determination to find a solution. With this kind of outstanding attitude and customer service, he has absolutely secured a future customer in me.

Sree · May 2026 Trustpilot

Ron want out of is way to help, nothing was to much. He was very thorough in what he did Very knowledgeable I would highly recommend Ron and his company He did a fantastic job for me. if you have any problems, he'll do his best to help you out and resolve your problem. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them

Dennis Brown · May 2026 Trustpilot

Ron took me through a diagnostic to confirm my GivEnergy Inverter had a fault. A common one as it turns out with the AC Inverter. As GivEnergy is defunct there is no immediate fix, aside from sourcing 2nd hand replacement. It may be that a fix becomes available over the summer which would make a lot of GivEnergy customers happy (Again)

Tony Deacon · May 2026 Trustpilot

Contacted Ron with a problem and he sorted it out quickly with no problems at all. Very knowledgeable on anything solar/ batteries. I would recommend him to anyone

Phill · May 2026 Trustpilot

I've spoken to Ron a couple of times with issues with my Givenergy installation. Such a friendly knowledge guy very highly recommended. Thank you very much for resolving my issues

michael fairhurst · May 2026 Trustpilot

Contacted Solar Tech Support in desperation. After explaining the issues I had with my system a diagnosis was made and a solution proposed. Fantastic service, even contacted a manufacturer to arrange replacement parts for me. Great communications, explained all they were doing and what I had to do, clearly and precisly. Followed up to confirm all was ok. Excellent service.

Mr Machin · May 2026 Trustpilot

After GivEnergy went into liquidation, just my luck, my battery started playing up (internal board crashed). Contacted my installer - not interested! Found Solar tech support on a Google search. Sooo glad I found this company! Ron is extremely helpful and has plenty of experience. He soon confirmed what the fault was, and helped me to get my system up and running again. Now moved my GivEnergy account to Solar tech support, and will definitely use again if I have more issues. Unusual to find such a helpful company in these times, no morons reading scripts, just direct contact with the engineer.

Keith Ballard · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

Contacted Solar Tech Support when trying to understand what my Givenergy inverter problem might be and what might be my options. Received good/honest advise which backed up my thoughts.

Hugh Speirs · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

Ron is a super star. Two months ago my GivEnergy battery failed a firmware upgrade leaving it a brick. My installer couldn't/wouldn't fix it. GivEnergy couldn't/wouldn't fix it. Then they went into administration and all hope was lost. A flurry of emails later and Ron had diagnosed the fault (failed USB flash drive, something I'd suspected) and talked me through resolving it. Two months of nothing resolved in about 3 hours. It's great to work with someone who pays attention to the details, knows that they're doing (not just following a script) and gets stuff sorted without a fuss or up-charging.

Christopher · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

I can add to the list of customers who had already 'given up' on GivEnergy due to their appalling customer service, and that was before they went into administration (their Trustpilot reviews don't lie!). So you can imagine my desperation when, having changed my ISP and my Inverter, predictably, proving to be the only device that didn't connect automatically to my new network, I found zero prospect of any customer support with GivEnergy having called in the administrators just five days earlier! The salvation came from Solar Tech Support. My IT advisor stumbled across their web site and some very helpful tips for beleaguered GivEnergy customers, as well as an offer to provide direct assistance. Nothing ventured, I decided to drop them an E-Mail, with very low expectations based on my experience of GivEnergy customer support. Within an hour Ron had responded with some pin point advice, and after a few exchanges of E-Mails he had nailed the problem, enabling the combined efforts of my IT advisor and solar installer to resolve it and reconnect my Inverter. Thank you Solar Tech Support, and Ron in particular, for coming to the aid of a deserted and despondent GivEnergy customer. Expert, razor sharp advice and first class customer service, even though I wasn't officially a customer.

customer · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

This company are a rare gem, I had a very unusual problem following a failed firmware upgrade on my GivEnergy kit. I then found out GivEnergy were in administration and had dismissed all their support staff! None of the usual fixes to try and restore my inverter comms would work, and I looked everywhere, forums, GivEnergy youtube support videos - even AI couldn't figure it out. My installer was talking about huge sums for system replacements, and being vague / evasive about if they'd even install replacement GivEnergy inverter. Enter Solar Tech Support, reassuring and knowledgeable from the very start, I've learnt loads about my solar system though the friendly chat while my engineer worked as he diagnosed the problem and figured out a fix procedure that I've not found anywhere else - amazing . If you need solar system repairs - especially if you like me have been left high and dry by GivEnergy, I cannot recommend this company enough. Give them a call.

Andy Thomas · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

I sent a message on their website regarding a problem I have on my Givenergy system. Although not supplied by Ronald, I thought it was worth an email. Within the hour on a Saturday, he phoned and we discussed the problem. He logged in remotely and gave excellent advice. I'm too far away for his on-site help but he did diagnose the problem and was happy also to chat through my thoughts about an upcoming solar/battery install I'm planning. Great bloke.... if only he was nearer!

Philip · Apr 2026 Trustpilot

Should you repair or replace your inverter?

This decision depends on the inverter's age, the nature of the fault, the cost of repair versus replacement, and whether you want to upgrade capability at the same time. Use this guide as a starting point — always diagnose the fault before deciding.

Repair is usually better when:
Inverter is under 8 years old and in warranty
Fault is software, configuration, or firmware (not hardware)
Single component failure (fan, capacitor, control board) under £250
Repair cost is less than 30–40% of a new inverter
Inverter model has readily available spare parts
Replace when:
Inverter is over 10 years old and out of warranty
Repair cost exceeds 40–50% of a new equivalent unit
Model discontinued — no spare parts available
Multiple component failures in the same unit
You want to add battery storage (upgrade to hybrid)
You want EPS backup capability

Always diagnose before replacing. What looks like an inverter failure is sometimes a configuration error, a tripped RCD, or a fault in the DC array rather than the inverter itself. A remote diagnostic (£75) confirms whether the inverter is actually faulty before you commit to a £795+ replacement. The diagnostic cost is not wasted — it is applied to the repair or replacement fee if you proceed with us.

How long do solar inverters last?

Inverter lifespan varies considerably by brand, installation environment, and operating pattern. Most modern units come with 10–12 year warranties; well-maintained units from quality brands can exceed 15 years.

Brand
Typical lifespan
Fronius / SMA
12–20+ years, excellent build quality, parts available
SolarEdge / Enphase
12–15+ years, warranty extensions available
Budget brands
5–10 years, parts often unavailable
Factors that shorten inverter life
High ambient temperature (hot utility room, south-facing wall in direct sun)
Dust accumulation blocking ventilation slots
Grid voltage instability causing repeated fault cycling
Moisture ingress from poor siting or damaged casing
Overloading from oversized array relative to inverter rating
Signs of inverter end-of-life
Fault codes that resolve and return repeatedly
Reduced output at comparable irradiance to previous years
Physical damage to casing, fan noise, burning smell
Monitoring portal shows unexplained generation gaps
Failed start-up — inverter will not come online after grid restore

Choosing a replacement inverter

Replacement is an opportunity to upgrade. Whether to replace like-for-like or upgrade to a hybrid model depends on your goals.

Like-for-like replacement (string inverter → string inverter)

The simplest option — replace the failed unit with the same model or current generation equivalent. Low installation complexity, no changes to DC string wiring, settings migration straightforward. Best option when the system is well-designed, relatively new, and you have no plans to add battery storage.

Cost: £795 supply and fit. Typical: £700–£995.

Upgrade to hybrid inverter (string → hybrid)

Replace the string inverter with a hybrid model (GivEnergy, Sunsynk, Growatt SPH, SolaX, Fox ESS). This enables DC-coupled battery storage without a separate battery inverter, EPS backup power, and smarter energy management. Requires checking DC string voltage and current compatibility with the new hybrid unit — may need string reconfiguration.

Cost: from £995 supply and fit. Battery not included — see add battery to solar-only.

Same-brand upgrade (e.g. old GivEnergy → new GivEnergy)

Upgrading within the same brand (e.g., GivEnergy AIO 2.6 kW to AIO 5.0 kW) often allows monitoring account transfer and retains settings familiarity. DC string compatibility must be checked. If you have an existing GivEnergy battery, the new inverter must support the same battery model — confirm firmware compatibility before ordering.

Cost: depends on model. Assessed on enquiry.

What inverter replacement involves

A full residential inverter replacement typically takes 4–6 hours on-site. See the inverter replacement service page for full details of what's included.

1
Pre-installation assessment

Confirm DC string voltage and current compatibility with the new unit. Record existing settings (export limit, monitoring configuration, battery parameters if applicable). Confirm wall space and mounting requirements for the new unit. Order the replacement unit and any additional components (mounting brackets, cabling adaptors).

2
Safe isolation and old unit removal

DC strings isolated at roof level. AC supply isolated at consumer unit. Battery (if present) safely powered down. Old inverter disconnected and removed. Wall mounting cleaned and prepared for the new unit. All DC and AC connections documented before disconnection.

3
New unit installation and connection

New inverter mounted and earthed. DC strings reconnected and polarity verified. AC connection made to consumer unit (new MCB/RCBO installed if required). Battery connection re-established if applicable. All connections torqued to manufacturer specification.

4
Commissioning and settings configuration

Inverter powered up and commissioned to grid. Country-specific parameters set (UK G99 compliance: voltage, frequency, reactive power curves). Export limit configured. Monitoring portal account created or migrated. Battery parameters (if applicable) configured to match previous charge/discharge schedules and tariff windows.

5
Testing and documentation

Full generation test — confirm inverter is producing at expected levels. Battery charge/discharge test (if applicable). EPS test (if EPS circuit present). Post-installation report provided documenting: new unit model and serial number, configuration settings, test results, and DNO notification status.

Inverter replacement costs

String inverter (2–6 kW)
£795–£995

Supply and fit. Like-for-like string inverter replacement. Includes commissioning and DNO variation.

Hybrid inverter (3–6 kW)
£995–£1,200

Supply and fit. Upgrade to hybrid for battery compatibility. May require CT clamp repositioning.

Three-phase / 8 kW+
£1,200+

Larger or three-phase units. Cost assessed on enquiry — depends on model and string configuration.

Commercial inverter
From £1,995

Commercial three-phase string and central inverters. SMA, Huawei, Solis, SolarEdge, GoodWe. See commercial O&M.

All costs include: old unit decommissioning and disposal, new unit supply and fitting, G99 variation DNO notification, commissioning to UK grid parameters, export limit configuration, monitoring setup, and post-installation report. No hidden extras. Written quote before any work starts.

FAQ

Inverter replacement — frequently asked questions

10–15 years for most inverters, with quality brands (Fronius, SMA) often exceeding 15 years. Most manufacturers provide 10–12 year warranties with extension options. Budget brands may fail within 5–8 years. Lifespan shortens in hot environments, locations with unstable grid voltage, and where dust blocks ventilation. Well-maintained, cool-running inverters regularly outlast their warranty period.
Repair if: inverter is under 8 years old, fault is software/configuration, or component repair costs under 30–40% of a new unit. Replace if: over 10 years old and out of warranty, discontinued model with no parts available, repair cost exceeds 40% of replacement, or you want to upgrade to hybrid for battery/EPS capability. Always diagnose before deciding — a free remote diagnostic (no fix, no fee) often reveals whether it is a configuration issue rather than hardware failure.
String inverter replacement (supply and fit) £795, typical £700–£995. Hybrid inverter replacement (with battery upgrade option) from £995, typical £995–£1,200. Three-phase and larger residential units £1,200+. Commercial three-phase inverter replacement from £1,995 — we work with all major commercial brands. See commercial O&M for more detail. All costs include old unit removal and disposal, new unit commissioning, DNO G99 variation, and post-installation report. No hidden extras — confirmed in writing before work starts.
Yes — a G99 variation form must be submitted to your DNO. For like-for-like replacement with no capacity change, variations are usually approved automatically within 2–4 weeks. If you are upgrading inverter capacity, adding battery storage, or changing export settings, additional detail is required. We handle the DNO notification as part of the replacement service.
If replacing like-for-like with the same brand, monitoring can usually be migrated to the new unit's serial number in the same portal account. Changing brand means a new monitoring account and loss of historical data from the old portal (though historical data may be exportable). We set up the new monitoring connection, create the account, and confirm data is logging correctly before sign-off.

Ready to replace your inverter?

The inverter replacement service covers everything — diagnosis if needed, old unit removal, new unit supply and installation, DNO notification, and commissioning. One fixed price, no hidden extras.

  • Independent — not tied to any brand
  • Supply, fit and commission included
  • DNO notification handled for you

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Call 07944 877 329 Book free diagnostic