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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

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. 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

My old solax packed in and was replaced by solar tech support. I am impressed at the very short time scale, sorted in only 3 days. Some were quoting 2-3 weeks. The old unit and all the packing was taken away.

Paul Riddick · Jul 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

Massively massively recommended. We had a big battery array (49kW across three phases) put in four years ago. c £35k cost. It’s been a total nightmare for many reasons, not least 1. our installer being totally useless and unresponsive and 2. Givenergy, our battery supplier, going bust. Long story short it had never worked anywhere near properly despite countless hours on phones and emails; the best we’d achieved was one third of the batteries working. Rather than write it off, I asked a PM friend to try to source someone who could come on site and review and revive the system. He found Solar Tech Support and Ron. Ron assured us he was the man to get it going again. After so many years of pain, I was not convinced but, true to his word, five hours later it was up and running. Lovely chap, super knowledgeable with a support team to lean on who are also clearly super technical. I honestly didn’t think there was much chance of getting this array going ever again so was absolutely delighted when Ron and team pulled it off. Bravo!

Will Wynne · Jun 2026 Google

Absolutely amazing service. Ive had a couple of issues with my Givenergy system and couldn't manage to get in touch with Givenergy after they went bust. So I was searching on Google and came across Rons number. I sent Ron a WhatsApp message and got a prompt reply and he resolved the problem I had with my system. I can't recommend Ron enough its not often you get such a good service in this day and age. If you are experiencing issues with your solar system Ron is the man to contact.

michael fairhurst · Jul 2026 Trustpilot

Thank you for your diligence. On this occasion the battery was able to be saved but they have given a route to hopefully arrange a repair from the manufacturer.

David Bateman · Jun 2026 Google
Upgrade options
EPS / backup power installation

Keep your home running during a grid outage. Four configuration types from a single EPS socket to full-house automatic changeover.

From £495 4 configuration types
Solar panel bird mesh

Aluminium mesh fitted around the panel perimeter to stop pigeons, starlings, and squirrels nesting underneath your solar array.

£995 Panel count dependent
Add an extra battery

Already have a hybrid inverter and battery? Add a second or third battery module to increase your storage capacity and reduce grid import further.

Hardware + installation
Inverter replacement

Inverter failed, out of warranty, or switching to a hybrid for battery compatibility? Replacement covers supply, installation, commissioning, and settings migration.

£995 All major brands
GivEnergy batteries — supplied & installed

GivEnergy system? We sell the batteries too. GivBat units supplied and installed by our own engineers, with addressing, cabling and portal configuration included.

One fixed price per battery Four models available
Replacement GivEnergy inverters — supplied & installed

Dead GivEnergy hybrid or AC-coupled unit? Like-for-like replacements fitted by our engineers — removal, commissioning and portal setup all part of the job.

One fixed price per model Hybrid & AC-coupled
Add battery storage to solar-only system

Have solar panels but no battery? This guide covers AC vs DC coupling, inverter compatibility, DNO requirements, CT clamp changes, and realistic costs for a full battery retrofit to an existing solar-only system.

AC coupling from £2,995 DC coupling from £3,495 Works with any existing inverter (AC)

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 £495 (socket) to £995 (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. The inverter replacement card above covers what's involved for all major brands. GivEnergy owners can go directly to replacement GivEnergy inverters supplied and installed.

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 £495 (wall socket) to £995 (dedicated circuit), up to £1,495 for full-house automatic changeover; adding an extra battery module from £995 installed; inverter replacement from £995 (string) to £1,495+ (hybrid), labour only. Full battery retrofit for solar-only systems starts from £2,995 (AC-coupled), or from £3,495 for a DC-coupled retrofit with a new hybrid inverter. 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.
Most single upgrades are completed in one visit: adding an extra battery module typically takes 2–4 hours on site, bird mesh is fitted in half a day for most domestic arrays, and an EPS dedicated circuit is around half a day's work. Upgrades that add storage or change your inverter also need a DNO G99 variation, which is usually approved automatically within 2–4 weeks. Bird mesh needs no DNO notification, so it can be booked straight away. All costs are confirmed in writing before any work begins.

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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