Step 3 of 6
Choose Your Solar Inverter
The inverter converts DC power from your panels to AC for your home. Size it to your array — not too small (clips generation on sunny days), not too large (wastes money).
DC:AC ratio explained
In the UK, it is standard to install an inverter rated at about 80–85% of your array's peak DC output. A 4 kWp array would typically use a 3.2–3.6 kW inverter. This is called DC:AC clipping and it intentionally limits output on the handful of peak-irradiance hours per year — those hours contribute very little to annual generation, so you are not losing meaningful output.
String vs micro-inverters
All products below are string inverters — the standard choice for a simple, unshaded roof. If any part of your roof gets significant shade during the day (chimney stacks, dormer windows, trees), consider micro-inverters or DC power optimisers instead, as they prevent one shaded panel from pulling down the whole string's output.
Hybrid vs string
If you plan to add battery storage within the next two or three years, a hybrid inverter (which manages both panels and a battery) installed now avoids a second inverter install later. If you do not plan to add storage, a standard string inverter is cheaper and simpler.
Sigenergy
SigenStor Energy Controller 3.6kW Hybrid Inverter
£941.67 ex VAT
Single-phase 3.6kW hybrid inverter with built-in EPS backup and AI-driven scheduling, DC-coupled to Sigenergy's own stackable battery modules.
Sungrow
SH6.0RS Hybrid Inverter
£745.00 ex VAT
Single-phase 6kW dual-MPPT hybrid inverter pairing with Sungrow's stackable SBR batteries, with 100% unbalanced-load EPS backup.
Solis
S6-EH1P(3-10)K-L-PLUS 8kW Hybrid Inverter
£1,111.06 ex VAT
Single-phase 8kW hybrid inverter with dual MPPT, low-voltage battery compatibility across multiple brands, and fast EPS switchover.
SolarEdge
SE3680H-RW000BEN4 Home Wave 3.68kW
£599.19 ex VAT
Premium optimiser-based string inverter for UK G98-limited single-phase installs. 3.68kW with industry-leading per-panel monitoring.
SolarEdge
SE6000H-RW000BEN4 Home Wave 6kW
£797.94 ex VAT
Larger SolarEdge Home Wave for whole-house G99 installs. 6kW single-phase with per-panel optimisation.
Solax
X1-3.6BDC SP Inverter Boost
£357.96 ex VAT
Single-phase 3.6kW string inverter with integrated DC isolator. Solax X1 series for Solax ecosystem.
Viridian Solar
CSI3000 Clearline Inverter 3.0kW
£385.00 ex VAT
UK-engineered string inverter designed to pair with Viridian in-roof Clearline panels. 3kW single-phase.
Solis
S6-GR1P3.6K-DC Dual MPPT 3.6kW
£300.58 ex VAT
Budget tier-1 Chinese string inverter. 3.6kW single-phase dual MPPT with built-in DC switch.
GivEnergy
Gen3 6.0kW String Inverter (GIV-PV-6.0-G3)
£524.84 ex VAT
Larger GivEnergy Gen3 for whole-house G99 installs. 6kW single-phase with dual MPPT.
Growatt
MIC 3000TL-X Single MPPT 3kW
£282.55 ex VAT
Compact value-tier single-MPPT 3kW string inverter. Smallest residential Growatt with built-in DC switch.
Growatt
MIN 5000TL-X 5kW with AFCI & DC Protection
£408.79 ex VAT
Popular value-tier 5kW string inverter with arc-fault protection. Dual MPPT, integrated DC switch.
Fox ESS
F3600 3.6kW Single Phase Dual MPPT
£305.10 ex VAT
Fox ESS's current value-tier solar-only string inverter. 3.6kW with dual MPPT.
Fronius
Symo Light 6.0-3-M 6kW Three-Phase
£891.12 ex VAT
Austrian-engineered premium 3-phase string inverter. 6kW with dual MPPT, IP66 rated for outdoor install.
GivEnergy
Gen3 3.6kW String Inverter (GIV-PV-3.6-G3)
£402.04 ex VAT
UK-engineered string inverter designed to pair with GivEnergy batteries. 3.6kW with dual MPPT.
Browse inverters on Smart Solar Homes
Our inverter comparison covers string inverters suited to DIY UK installs.
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