My GivEnergy solar and battery system is failing intermittently, GivEnergy is in administration and so is my installer, so it was a relief to get Ron’s expert advice.
Steve Trossell · Jun 2026 Google
Solar Repair & Support in Derby
Derby has one of the strongest solar adoption rates in the East Midlands — a mix of FiT-era installs across the city's older housing stock, government scheme systems on suburban estates, and a growing number of modern hybrid setups with battery storage on new-build developments. We cover Derby from our Yorkshire base for fault diagnosis, inverter replacement, battery support, and system recovery.
from £245 · free remote diagnostic first · no call-out fee
- On-site repair from £245
- Inverter replacement £795
- Free remote diagnostic — written report within 24 hrs
Derby solar engineer
Tell us what's happening with your system. We'll confirm whether it needs a remote diagnostic or an on-site visit, and give you a clear price before any work starts. Derby is extended coverage — a remote diagnostic is often the fastest first step.
Book a visitFree remote diagnostic · no fix, no feeIndependent — not affiliated with any installer or manufacturer.
Contacted Solar Tech about my Givenergy battery storage system that wasn't working. Battery status was "idle". Given the company Givenergy had gone bust, I need independent quality technical help. Very patient and clearly very knowledgeable about battery systems Ron diagnosed possible issues and suggested several possible remedies. Worked our way through them and fortunately it began to work. The fault was very specific and only an experienced engineer would have thought to check. Suffice to say I'll be back if I need independent support again. Lastly you only pay if there is a solution. Outstanding.
Mr P · Jun 2026
My 90-year-old father-in-law had a solar system installed nearly three years ago that never worked properly and kept tripping out. Neither the original installer nor GivEnergy could resolve the issues, and we were even pushed towards replacing the system entirely when GivEnergy went bust. I contacted Ron at Solar Tech Support via WhatsApp, and within a few hours he had diagnosed multiple faults — including incorrect wiring that posed a potential fire risk. He carried out a home visit in Nottingham for £295 (including parts), fixed everything, completed firmware updates, and ensured the system was fully operational. Since then, it has worked perfectly. Ron was knowledgeable, responsive, and took the time to explain everything clearly. Highly recommended — excellent value and complete peace of mind.
Julian F · Jun 2026 Google
When my GivEnergy battery started playing up it became basically useless and several companies I called said they couldn’t help. Solar Tech Support really knew their stuff, communicated very well and resolved the problem quickly. Without them I’d have had to buy a replacement battery.
A D · Jun 2026 Google
Absolutely wonderful support. I have a GivEnergy system that was installed in 2022, and a firmware update was flagged in the app, so I proceeded to update the software .... and immediately regretted it, as my inverter came up with an error, and was not working at all! With no GivEnergy support available, and my installer saying there was nothing he could do, I googled help, and found Ron. What a stroke of good luck! Submitted an on line enquiry late morning, and received phone call just after 5 pm, and later that evening Ron was able to supply me with old firmware no longer available on the GivEnergy web site. I was then able to update the firmware using a GivEnergy youtube video as reference, and hey presto the system was back up and running. One further slight adjustment by Ron and we are back normal. What a relief. I have no hesitation in recommending Solar Tech Support if you have a problem. Great service! And if you are a GivEnergy system owner, whatever you do, DO NOT UPDATE FIRMWARE!
Neill Ginn · Jul 2026 Google
Very very helpfuland so quick. Made sure that a non expert like myself understood what the problem was and how to resolve it.
Declan S · Jun 2026
Local Knowledge
Solar in Derby — strong adoption across every era of housing
Derby's solar landscape is more varied than most cities in our extended coverage. The city has substantial FiT-era installs on its Victorian and Edwardian terraces, government scheme systems across the suburban estates, and a wave of modern hybrid installs with battery storage on the new-build developments springing up around the southern and eastern fringes. Each era of installation brings different brands, different failure patterns, and different support needs.
Victorian and Edwardian terraces with ageing FiT arrays
Derby's older neighbourhoods — Normanton, Pear Tree, Darley Abbey, and parts of Littleover — have a high concentration of FiT-era solar from 2011–2015. Compact 2–3kW arrays on narrow south-facing roofs with single string inverters, typically Solis or Growatt. These systems have been generating reliably for a decade, but the inverters are now reaching end of life. Replacement is straightforward and FiT payments continue unaffected.
Suburban estates with government scheme installs
The 1960s–1980s suburban belt — Alvaston, Sinfin, Chaddesden, Mackworth — was heavily targeted by ECO and Green Deal solar programmes. Systems are typically 3–4kW with budget string inverters installed by national companies at volume. Many of those companies have since closed, leaving homeowners with ageing hardware and no support. Documentation is often missing, monitoring was never set up, and faults go undetected.
New-build developments with hybrid battery systems
Developments around Chellaston, Mickleover, and the southern fringes of Derby increasingly include solar panels with battery storage as standard — typically 3–4kW arrays with GivEnergy hybrid inverters and 5.2kWh or 8.2kWh batteries. The hardware is modern and reliable, but developer handovers leave systems on factory defaults: charge schedules not configured, CT clamps not calibrated, and tariff integration not set up. These systems work but underperform until someone configures them properly.
Remote diagnostic as a practical first step
Derby is at the edge of our on-site coverage — about 90 minutes from our Yorkshire base. For most faults, a free remote diagnostic is the smartest first move. We analyse monitoring data, generation meter readings, fault codes, and firmware versions remotely. This identifies the fault before we travel, so we arrive with the right parts and complete the job in a single visit. For configuration issues on battery systems, the fix is often entirely remote.
Services
What we do in Derby
Derby has a solid base of solar installations — both FiT-era systems and newer hybrid setups with battery storage. We cover Derby on our East Midlands route, running a full remote diagnostic before every visit. No call-out fees. All costs confirmed in writing.
Solar system not working
System fault diagnosis and on-site repair — inverter errors, generation issues, grid faults, hybrid battery problems, monitoring dropouts. From £245.
Fault diagnosis →Inverter replacement
Full inverter swap — removal, new unit installation, configuration, and testing. We carry stock of the most common replacement models. £795.
Inverter replacement →EPS & battery backup
Derby homeowners with batteries are increasingly adding EPS to protect against outages. We install the dedicated circuit and configure your battery's emergency mode.
EPS installation →Annual maintenance
Annual system service — inverter inspection, generation benchmarking, wiring check, isolator test, firmware updates. Written report. From £195.
Annual maintenance →New homeowner walk-through
Moved into a house with solar in Derby? We survey the full system, identify brands and age, configure monitoring access, and produce a detailed written report. From £295.
On-site walk-through →Remote diagnostic
Remote analysis — monitoring data review, fault log check, generation benchmarking, firmware status. Written diagnostic report usually within 24 hours. Free — £75 only if we fix it remotely.
Remote diagnostic →
Common Problems
What goes wrong with solar systems in Derby
Derby's three-era installation landscape creates a distinct fault profile. FiT-era systems are hitting inverter failure age, government scheme installs have documentation gaps, and modern battery systems need proper configuration. These are the faults we see most often.
1
String inverter failure on FiT-era systems across the city
Derby's 2011–2015 FiT-era systems are reaching the point where string inverters fail. Solis, Growatt, and older Fronius units have a practical lifespan of 10–15 years, and many are now showing symptoms: blank displays, zero generation, intermittent fault codes, or earth fault trips. The panels are typically fine — replacement with a modern hybrid inverter restores generation and your FiT payments continue unaffected. We stock the most common models and can usually complete a swap in a single visit. Inverter replacement →
2
Battery systems on new-build estates not saving money
A growing complaint from homeowners on Derby's newer developments. The system was sold as a money-saver — store cheap-rate electricity overnight, use solar during the day, export the surplus. In practice, many systems import from the grid during peak hours because the charge schedule doesn't match the tariff, the CT clamp is reading incorrectly, or eco mode settings weren't enabled. We diagnose and fix these configuration issues remotely — no on-site visit needed in most cases. GivEnergy support →
3
Government scheme systems with no monitoring and no documentation
Installations across Alvaston, Sinfin, Chaddesden, and Mackworth through ECO and Green Deal programmes were done at volume. Monitoring was rarely set up, MCS certificates were lost, and warranty registration was left to the homeowner. When the inverter fails a decade later, there's no paper trail and the installer has closed. We identify the hardware, rebuild the documentation, check manufacturer warranties, and set up proper monitoring so you know what your system is actually producing. Remote diagnostic →
4
Partial shading on terraced streets reducing output
Derby's older terraced streets — particularly in Normanton and Pear Tree — have tightly packed rooflines where chimney stacks, aerials, and neighbouring properties cast shadows across panels at certain times of day. On standard string inverter systems, shading on one panel drags down the output of the entire string. If your generation is noticeably lower than expected, shading analysis is part of every diagnostic we run. In some cases, optimiser retrofits or panel reconfiguration can recover significant lost output. Fault diagnosis →
Installer gone bust?
Your Derby installer has closed — we take over from here
Derby's solar systems were installed by a mix of national companies and regional outfits — several of which have since gone into administration or been dissolved. Mark Group operated heavily across the East Midlands through government schemes. Solarplicity had customers across Derbyshire. If your installer has closed, your manufacturer warranties are still valid and we handle the full recovery.
Mark Group
Most common
Administration 2015. Leicester-based — Derby was core territory. Government scheme installs with Fronius inverters now 10+ years old.
Mark Group guide →Solarplicity
Dissolved November 2023. Combined energy supplier and solar installer. 7,500+ customers nationally — Derbyshire properties included.
Solarplicity guide →Solar Plants
Dissolved February 2022. Wales-based but installed across the Midlands and northern England.
Solar Plants guide →Installer not listed? The recovery process is the same regardless of who installed your system. Full installer gone bust guide or book a call.
All Brands
Solis, Fronius, GivEnergy — Derby's three-era brand mix
Derby's solar brands reflect the city's installation timeline. Older FiT-era systems run Solis, Growatt, or Fronius string inverters. Government scheme installs often have Fronius IG units from Mark Group rollouts. Newer battery systems predominantly use GivEnergy hybrid inverters. We diagnose, repair, and replace every brand — no manufacturer affiliation, no bias.
Solis, Growatt — budget string inverter replacement on FiT systems
Fronius — IG, IG Plus, Primo, Symo replacement and repair
GivEnergy — battery diagnostics, configuration, firmware, warranty claims
SolarEdge, Sunsynk, Fox ESS, Huawei — all supported
19+ brands — independent, no manufacturer bias
Local Coverage
Areas of Derbyshire we cover from Derby
Derby and the surrounding towns. For Mansfield and north Nottinghamshire, see our Mansfield coverage page. For Nottingham city, see our Nottingham coverage page.
Belper
Ripley
Ilkeston
Long Eaton
Alvaston
Mickleover
Chellaston
Spondon
Duffield
Littleover
Chaddesden
Heanor
Not listed? If you're in the Derby area, we can likely reach you. Get in touch and we'll confirm availability.
New homeowner
Just bought a house in Derby with solar panels?
Derby's active property market means solar-equipped homes change hands frequently. Whether you've inherited an older FiT-era system on a Victorian terrace, a government scheme install on a suburban semi, or a modern battery system on a new-build — the documentation rarely transfers. We visit, identify every component, check performance, set up monitoring in your name, verify warranty status, and give you a written report covering everything.
System identification — panels, inverter, battery, wiring
Monitoring transfer into your name
MCS certificate and warranty status check
Written condition report and recommendations
FiT transfer guidance and meter reading support
Solar repair in Derby — common questions
Derby is about an hour and a half from our Yorkshire base — extended coverage. For urgent faults like a dead inverter or total generation loss, we can usually attend within three to four working days. For many faults, a free remote diagnostic is the fastest route to answers — it identifies the problem same-day and tells us exactly what parts and time we need for the on-site visit, so nothing is wasted.
Yes. We cover Derby and the wider Derbyshire area including Belper, Ripley, Ilkeston, Long Eaton, Alvaston, Mickleover, Littleover, Spondon, Duffield, and surrounding areas. For properties further into the Peak District, a remote diagnostic is often the most practical first step. Remote diagnostics are available UK-wide regardless of location.
Inverter replacement starts £795, which includes the new unit, removal of the old one, installation, configuration, and commissioning. The exact price depends on the brand, model, and system size. Derby has a broad mix of system ages and sizes — from compact 2kW FiT-era arrays on terraced streets to modern 6kW hybrid systems on new-build estates. A free remote diagnostic confirms exactly what's needed before we quote. Inverter replacement service →
Yes. GivEnergy is the most common battery brand we see across Derby, both on new-build installations and retrofits to existing panels. Common issues include the battery not charging from solar, importing from the grid during peak hours when it shouldn't, and charge schedules not aligned to the homeowner's tariff. Most configuration faults can be diagnosed and fixed remotely. If the issue is hardware — a faulty battery module or inverter — we attend on-site with replacement parts. GivEnergy support →
Solar panels not working in Derby? Tell us what's happening.
Describe the fault — what you're seeing (or not seeing), the brand if you know it, when it started. We'll come back with a clear plan and price, usually same day. A remote diagnostic is often the smartest first step for Derby — it identifies the fault before we travel.
- On-site repair from £245 · inverter replacement £795
- Solar panel maintenance from £195
- Free remote diagnostic — written report within 24 hours
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Got a solar fault or need a quick answer? Drop us a message — we usually reply within a few minutes. Mon–Fri, 9am–7pm.
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