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System upgrades · Independent advice

Solar system upgrades

Already have solar panels or a battery system and want to get more from it? This section covers every upgrade option available to UK homeowners — from adding backup power and extra storage, to protecting panels from pigeons and replacing ageing inverters.
  • Independent — no installer bias
  • All major brands supported
  • Costs confirmed before work starts
Not sure which upgrade you need?

A solar system health check covers your current system, what it can support, and which upgrades are worth considering for your situation. We assess compatibility, costs, and return on investment before you commit to anything.

Book a System Health CheckWhat's included in a health check
5.0
Rated 5.0 on Google
33 Customer reviews

Brilliant support to get my solar battery working again. I didn’t expect help on a Saturday but Ron answered the phone, listened and sent me the information I needed to get it going, answered questions etc. A brilliant service I’d happily recommend.

Alison F. Cockerill · Jun 2026 Google

Ron was brilliant. He really tried to help. He spent hours trying to fix our GivEnergy AIO and ultimately it became apparent that it needed parts to fix the BMS management system. As there appears to be no replacement parts available on the market, he gave excellent advice on what options are now available to move forward. He is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable.

Mark Mayson · Jun 2026 Google

Called back within a day and gave good advice.

Rob and Sue Dempster · Jun 2026 Google

Ron was extremely helpful and tried his best to repair/reset our GivEnergy inverter remotely. In the event he was unsuccessful but he couldn’t have been more helpful. If you have problems with a GivEnergy system please contact him. Highly recommended

Neil Crichton · Jun 2026 Google

Big thanks to Ron. He was incredibly patient and helpful over the phone, taking the time to walk myself and the installer through every troubleshooting step. Through lots of testing he figured out the issue was definitely a hardware issue, which allows us to consider our next steps. Support fees are clear and they operate a “no fix no fee” policy. It is rare to find that kind of honesty combined with dedicated phone support nowadays. I highly recommend Ron, if you need help with your solar system don’t hesitate to give him a call.

Steve M · Jun 2026 Google

A superb service from Ron who went beyond the normal service received from other Tech support companies. I live abroad and was badly let down when my givenergy system failed (and the company went bankrupt) and the local supplier ran away from the problem. Ron sorted the problem and even accessed specialist coding for the inverter that would not be available for suppliers. Ron also ran a full diagnostic to insure that all was in good working order afterwards. Without Rons support and patient assistance I doubt I would ever have got the system back up and running. Well done and thankyou and you have a customer for the future.

Philip Davey · Jun 2026 Google

Brilliant support to get my solar battery working again. I didn’t expect help on a Saturday but Ron answered the phone, listened and sent me the information I needed to get it going, answered questions etc. A brilliant service I’d happily recommend.

Alison F. Cockerill · Jun 2026 Google

Ron was brilliant. He really tried to help. He spent hours trying to fix our GivEnergy AIO and ultimately it became apparent that it needed parts to fix the BMS management system. As there appears to be no replacement parts available on the market, he gave excellent advice on what options are now available to move forward. He is incredibly helpful and knowledgeable.

Mark Mayson · Jun 2026 Google

Called back within a day and gave good advice.

Rob and Sue Dempster · Jun 2026 Google

Ron was extremely helpful and tried his best to repair/reset our GivEnergy inverter remotely. In the event he was unsuccessful but he couldn’t have been more helpful. If you have problems with a GivEnergy system please contact him. Highly recommended

Neil Crichton · Jun 2026 Google

Big thanks to Ron. He was incredibly patient and helpful over the phone, taking the time to walk myself and the installer through every troubleshooting step. Through lots of testing he figured out the issue was definitely a hardware issue, which allows us to consider our next steps. Support fees are clear and they operate a “no fix no fee” policy. It is rare to find that kind of honesty combined with dedicated phone support nowadays. I highly recommend Ron, if you need help with your solar system don’t hesitate to give him a call.

Steve M · Jun 2026 Google

A superb service from Ron who went beyond the normal service received from other Tech support companies. I live abroad and was badly let down when my givenergy system failed (and the company went bankrupt) and the local supplier ran away from the problem. Ron sorted the problem and even accessed specialist coding for the inverter that would not be available for suppliers. Ron also ran a full diagnostic to insure that all was in good working order afterwards. Without Rons support and patient assistance I doubt I would ever have got the system back up and running. Well done and thankyou and you have a customer for the future.

Philip Davey · Jun 2026 Google
Read all 33 reviews

Which upgrade suits your situation?

Use this quick decision guide to identify the most relevant upgrade for your system.

You have solar panels but no battery

Your priority is adding battery storage. Read the add battery to existing solar guide — it covers AC coupling (works with any inverter), DC coupling (needs a hybrid inverter), compatibility, and realistic costs.

You have solar + battery but want more storage

Adding a second or third battery module to an existing hybrid system is usually straightforward. Read the add extra battery guide to understand compatibility, installation, and costs. GivEnergy, Sunsynk, Growatt, and most other hybrid inverters support multi-battery configurations.

You want power during grid outages

You need EPS (Emergency Power Supply) capability. There are four configuration types — from a simple EPS wall socket to full-house automatic changeover. Read the EPS installation page to compare options, check inverter compatibility, and see pricing from £795 (socket) to £795 (dedicated circuit).

You have pigeons or birds under your panels

Bird mesh is the standard solution — aluminium mesh fitted around the panel perimeter to prevent nesting. Read the bird mesh guide for what's involved, how long it takes, and typical costs.

Your inverter has failed or is end-of-life

Inverter replacement is common after 10–15 years or following irreparable failure. Read the inverter replacement guide to understand what's involved. If you're ready to book, go directly to the inverter replacement service page.

How STS handles upgrade work

🔍
Assess first

We review your current system before recommending any upgrade. No upselling — only what your system can support and what genuinely makes financial sense.

📋
Written quote

All upgrade costs confirmed in writing before any work begins. Hardware, labour, DNO applications, and commissioning — no hidden extras.

Tested and documented

Every upgrade is tested on-site and documented in a post-installation report. You leave with a clear record of what was done and how it was configured.

Independent from manufacturers and installers: STS is not tied to any solar brand, manufacturer, or supply chain. This means the upgrade recommendation is based entirely on what's right for your system — not what's most profitable for us to sell. We work with GivEnergy, Sunsynk, Growatt, SolarEdge, Solis, Huawei, Fox ESS, and all other major UK brands.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The most common upgrades for existing UK solar systems are: adding battery storage (if you currently have solar-only), expanding battery capacity (if you already have a battery), EPS/backup power installation, bird mesh and anti-pigeon protection, and inverter replacement. Each upgrade has different requirements and costs — the right choice depends on your current system, your goals, and your budget.
Most solar systems can be upgraded in some way. The most common constraint is inverter compatibility — some upgrades (like DC-coupled battery retrofit or EPS) require a hybrid inverter. If yours is a standard string inverter, options may be more limited or require inverter replacement as part of the upgrade. A system health check can confirm what your system is capable of before you commit.
For electrical upgrades (batteries, EPS, inverter replacement), yes — you need a Part P certified electrician, ideally MCS-accredited. For non-electrical upgrades like bird mesh, any competent roofer or solar maintenance company can carry out the work. MCS accreditation is required for battery upgrades if you want to claim any applicable export tariffs or subsidies.
Costs vary by upgrade type: bird mesh £995 for small arrays, typically £995–£1,395 for most systems; EPS installation from £795 (wall socket) to £795 (dedicated circuit), up to £1,295 for full-house automatic changeover; adding an extra battery module from £2,000–£2,995 installed; inverter replacement £795–£1,200. Full battery retrofit for solar-only systems is £2,995–7,000. All costs should be confirmed in writing before any work begins.
Yes, for most electrical upgrades. Adding battery storage, replacing an inverter, or changing your system's export capacity all require a G99 variation form to be submitted to your distribution network operator (DNO). This is usually a straightforward process handled by your installer and approved automatically within 2–4 weeks. Bird mesh requires no DNO notification.
For AC-coupled battery upgrades, your existing solar inverter warranty is typically unaffected — you are adding equipment alongside it, not changing it. For DC-coupled upgrades or inverter replacement, you are replacing the inverter, so the old warranty ends and you receive a new warranty on the replacement unit (typically 10 years for a new inverter). Always check warranty terms with the original manufacturer before proceeding with any upgrade that affects existing equipment.

Not sure where to start?

A solar system health check covers your current system, identifies which upgrades are compatible, and gives you a clear, costed plan — no sales pressure, just engineering advice.

  • Independent — not affiliated with any manufacturer
  • Compatibility check before any purchase
  • Remote-first — free if we can't fix it

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