The Short Answer
In our view, pick the type first and the brand second. For most homes that's a hybrid inverter, which takes a battery now or later; for a shaded or complicated roof, microinverters or optimisers. Then choose a brand whose warranty you can actually claim on in the UK, and read what the warranty needs from you.
Enphase's IQ8 microinverters carry the longest warranty we've read, 25 years, but only while the system stays connected to the internet. We'd avoid new GivEnergy kit: Companies House lists GivEnergy Ltd as in administration.
Which Type Suits Your Roof?
1. Does anything shade your roof?
Be honest: even a chimney that shades two panels for two hours a day matters.
2. How many roof faces will you put panels on?
Different orientations or pitches each generate a different amount of power.
3. Battery storage plans?
A hybrid inverter handles a battery without needing a separate box later.
What we'd fit
Hybrid string inverter
An unshaded roof facing one way doesn't need panel-level electronics. A hybrid inverter handles the panels and a battery in one box, so a battery later doesn't mean a new inverter.
Cost: Ask for the hybrid and non-hybrid prices
Get quotes that name the inverter
Ask MCS-certified installers for a written quote with the exact inverter make and model. Don't accept "a 4kW inverter": you want the brand and product name in writing.
How We'd Choose a Brand
- A warranty you can claim on. Who handles it in the UK: the maker, a distributor or the installer? A long warranty from a company in trouble is worth little.
- What the warranty needs. Some depend on registering the product, an internet connection, or fitting the same brand's battery. Read the document, not the headline number.
- MCS-certified. Ask for it on the quote; an export tariff may require an MCS installation.
- Battery compatibility, if it's a hybrid: which batteries it works with.
- The right size. Up to 3.68kW the installer only has to notify the network operator (G98); above that it needs approval first (G99).
Whatever you fit, the Energy Saving Trust says to expect an inverter replacement after around 12 years, at around £800.
Enphase IQ8: The Longest Warranty, With Conditions
Enphase's UK warranty for systems activated from 1 August 2026 gives its IQ8 (and IQ9) microinverters 25 years from activation and its IQ Gateway 5 years. It covers England, Scotland and Wales, and says the products "must be continuously connected to the internet during the Limited Warranty Period". So budget for keeping the Gateway online for the life of the system, and note the Gateway's own warranty is much shorter. Our view: worth it on a shaded or complicated roof; not worth paying for on an open roof facing one way.
GivEnergy: Not for New Installs
GivEnergy makes hybrid inverters and batteries. Companies House lists GIVENERGY LTD (11571089) as in administration, so we wouldn't buy new kit on the strength of its warranty. Installed systems keep generating; ask your installer who now supports them.
Other Brands You'll Be Quoted
Other brands you may be quoted. Everything below is from each maker's own pages; the warranty for your exact model is in its warranty document, so ask the installer for it.
Fox ESS
Its H1 and AC1 single-phase hybrid inverters run from 2.5 to 6kW, and Fox says they're compatible with its own high-voltage batteries. Its UK and Ireland warranty policy gives 5 years as standard, and another 5 years free if the inverter is registered on Fox's website within 36 months of being made and connected to Fox Cloud through a Fox datalogger. Our view: a sensible hybrid if your installer registers it on the day.
SolarEdge
SolarEdge's Home Hub is a hybrid inverter, available single and three phase, designed to be fitted with SolarEdge's Power Optimizers, which gives monitoring panel by panel. SolarEdge gives a standard 12-year warranty on its inverters, extendable to 20 or 25 years depending on the model for a one-off fee, bought within 24 months of the inverter being shipped. Backup in a power cut needs SolarEdge's own Home Battery. Our view: the main alternative to microinverters for a shaded or split roof.
Fronius
The Primo GEN24 Plus is Fronius's single-phase hybrid, 3 to 10kW, and it can run a battery and provide backup. Fronius gives 10 years' warranty free if the inverter is registered on its Solar.web portal within 30 months of delivery, with a paid extension up to 15 years bought within 6 months of the warranty starting.
Sunsynk
Sunsynk makes single-phase hybrid inverters. Its datasheet for the 3.6 to 8kW Acure models gives a warranty of 5 years, or 10 years when installed with a Sunsynk battery. Sunsynk says its inverters are guaranteed compatible with its own batteries and many models support other makes, but recommends Sunsynk batteries for the warranty. Our view: best if you're fitting a Sunsynk battery as well.
SolaX
SolaX's warranty page gives its hybrid inverters, including the X1-Hybrid G4, 5 years as standard, upgraded free to 10 years if the inverter is connected to SolaX Cloud and uploads its data. Its LV hybrids also need a SolaX battery for the longer term. Its UK and Ireland terms are a separate document: ask for it.
We haven't confirmed Solis's UK terms from its own pages. Whichever brand you're quoted, check what registration the warranty needs, and who you'd call: that matters more than the name on the box.
The Brands Side by Side
| Brand | Type (home range) | Warranty | To get the longer term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enphase IQ8 | Microinverter | 25 years | Stay connected to the internet |
| Fox ESS H1/AC1 | Hybrid, 2.5 to 6kW single phase | 5 years, 10 registered | Register within 36 months of manufacture, on Fox Cloud |
| SolarEdge Home Hub | Hybrid, with optimisers | 12 years | Paid extension to 20 or 25 years |
| Fronius Primo GEN24 Plus | Hybrid, 3 to 10kW single phase | 10 years registered | Register within 30 months; paid to 15 |
| Sunsynk Acure | Hybrid, single phase | 5 years, 10 with its battery | Fit a Sunsynk battery |
| SolaX X1-Hybrid G4 | Hybrid | 5 years, 10 on its cloud | Connect to SolaX Cloud |
From each maker's own pages, read 25 October 2026. Sizes and terms vary by model, so check the document for yours. For which type suits your roof and how big an inverter should be, see our inverter types guide.
What to Ask Your Installer
- The make and model, not "a 4kW inverter".
- The warranty document, and what it needs from you.
- Who handles a claim in the UK.
- Hybrid or not, and the price of the hybrid version if not.
- G98 or G99, and who applies.
What You Don't Need
- Microinverters or optimisers on an open roof facing one way, in our view.
- An inverter chosen for the longest headline warranty without reading its conditions.
More: inverter types explained | choosing panels | batteries
Get the right inverter spec'd for your system
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