Best Solar Brands for UK Homes
Fitting a solar energy system can be a very confusing affair: what you need, where you need it and the bewildering amount of brands and models.
So, in this blog we are going to take a look at the brands we recommend and why we recommend them, here at UK Energi
Let’s go!
Why Choosing the Right Solar Brand Matters in the UK
Brands do matter, not just because some brands are better than others, but because some brands may not be as well supported for the UK market.
It’s best to stick to names you are familiar with as they will have a strongly supported UK network already.
If you think of brands like Tesla, Duracell and Mitsubishi, you know you’ve seen them in shops for years, so that’s an indication they have good service here in Britain.
That said, some brands come out of nowhere and totally take over the market.
For instance, Sigenergy are relative newcomers in the UK, but they have spent the last few years building a solid reputation as a premier solar energy product manufacturer in Australia.
Key Factors to Consider When Buying Solar Products in the UK
As mentioned above, always check if a company have a strong presence in the UK before buying any products from them.
All reputable manufacturer should be able to honour their warranties, so it pays to pick a well established company with great reviews and notable customer service.
You can also trust an MCS registered installer to be choosing manufacturers with a good record and great products.
Tesla Solar: Innovation Meets Efficiency
We all know Tesla, and not always for the best reasons.
But, no matter what your opinion of the upper management, there is no denying Tesla make innovative, top-tier electric products – with one eye firmly on future proofing your life.
While we are not able to order Tesla solar panels easily in the UK as yet, we are able to buy and fit the Powerwall 3.
The Powerwall 3 combines battery, hybrid inverter and management system all on one, monstrous 13.5 kWh unit.
This means you lose a little bit of versatility, as you can’t start small and build up, but if you need a lot of storage straight off the bat, then the Powerwall is hard to beat.
You can expand them with addition storage by daisy-chaining 3 x 13.5 kWh expansion units … and you can have 4 sets of these on each home.
The Powerwall 3 analyses historical energy use data, plus forecasts weather and energy use, to optimise energy usage.
They are engineered to perform at very low, and very high, temperatures and intelligently control the unit's own temperature for optimal performance
They are also easily updated – constantly adding new features and enhance existing ones
If you add the Tesla Gateway, you can even use your system as a backup with when grid connection goes down
Fox ESS: Smart Solar Solutions for the Modern Home
Fox ESS are global leaders in the development of inverter and energy storage solutions.
Established in 2019, Fox ESS have been fast become one of the world’s leading inverter and battery experts.
What’s more, Fox ESS manage to keep their prices down to make renewable energy affordable for everyone.
Unlike Tesla, Fox ESS offer a great range of batteries, inverters and gateways to suit your needs.
From simple string inverters to full stack-able systems, Fox can help you get your solar energy journey started for a fraction of the cost of some other big names.
And, they have their own, dedicated UK operations – so you know you’ll be able to speak to someone if any problems arise.
Sigenergy: Next-Gen Solar Technology for UK Homes
One of the new kids on the solar block, Sigenergy was established in 2022 but, boy, have they made a difference since they arrived.
Initially blowing up in Australia, Sigenergy has become one of the leading names in mid-range solar products all over Europe.
The reason for their meteoric rise in the solar market is they make solid, reliable products that are practical, easy to use and aesthetically pleasing.
Their unique, weather-proof stacking system means you can store al your solar equipment outside and also add to it as you require more storage.
You can start with a 5 kWh battery and a hybrid inverter, then add 5 more batteries to the stack before you need to add any more inverters.
Sigenergy also offer a gateway, to keep the power on when the grid goes down … and an EV charger to keep you on the road for less.
Installation and Compatibility: What UK Homeowners Should Know
The one thing you need to know is that different manufacturers may not be compatible with each other.
Most batteries have to be paired with an inverter of the same make – and sometimes that even extends to the panels themselves.
Usually, panels are compatible with most inverters and it would be a strange situation to find that wasn’t the case.
Again, if your installer is MCS registered, they will be familiar with which products work with each other and how to get them to perform well.
Warranty, Support, and Longevity: How These Brands Stack Up
When it comes to a warranty, you get what you pay for – the more expensive the item, the longer the warranty should be.
All batteries and inverters should come with at least 5 years warranty, and that is the case with Fox ESS battery – though, if you register the battery you get an extra 5 years on top.
The inverters already come with a 10 year warrehnty.
The Tesla Powerwall 3 comes with a 10-year warranty also, covering the whole unit – including battery and inverter.
Sigenergy Inverters come with a standard 10-year warranty, but you can pay to have that extended to 15.
Which Solar Brand Is Best for Your UK Home?
There is no definitive answer to that question, as your home will need a bespoke designed solar energy system that meets YOUR needs.
Obviously people will feel they trust one company over another and, if that is the case for you, ensure you flag this up with your installer.
They may be happy to fit the very thing you are looking for, or they may have some advice on why that’s not the product that best suits your needs.
Final Thoughts: Making the Right Solar Investment
As always, it’s best to do a little bit of your own research into what is available and what you feel will be the best product for you.
But, also, find an installer you trust and let them guide you a little bit.
Any installer worth their salt wants you to have the very best system you can afford.
It's in their interest to keep you happy, that way you won’t be ringing them every 2 days to report a problem.
