Solar Inverters Explained: Types, Costs & How to Choose
String, hybrid or microinverter? A plain-English guide to the box that makes your solar work — and how to pick the right one for your roof.
The short answer
A solar inverter converts the DC electricity your panels make into the AC electricity your home uses. No inverter, no usable solar power — it’s one of the most important parts of the system.
There are three types: string (cheapest, simplest), microinverters (best for shaded or complex roofs), and hybrid (solar + battery in one box). For most UK homes in 2026, a hybrid inverter is the safest default — it’s only slightly more than a string inverter but keeps the door open to adding a battery later.
What this guide covers
The inverter is the least understood part of a solar system — and one of the most important. It quietly does the single job that makes everything else work, and the type you choose shapes your costs, your shading performance, and whether you can add a battery down the line.
This guide explains inverters in plain English, with real 2026 UK prices, so you can walk into your quotes knowing what to ask. Going Solar UK doesn’t sell inverters — we help homeowners compare quotes from trusted, MCS-certified installers. If you’re still choosing panels, our guide to the best solar panels UK is a good place to start.
What does a solar inverter do?
Your solar panels generate DC (direct current) electricity. But your home — and the grid — runs on AC (alternating current). The inverter is the box that converts one into the other. Without it, the panels on your roof couldn’t power a single light bulb.
A modern inverter does more than just convert power. It also monitors your system’s performance (usually via an app), manages how electricity flows to your home, the grid, and any battery, and keeps everything safe and compliant with grid rules.
The 3 types of solar inverter
String inverters
Cheapest & most commonAll your panels connect in series (a “string”) to one central inverter. It’s the most common and most affordable option, and works brilliantly on a clean, unshaded roof. The catch: if one panel underperforms — from shade, bird mess or a fault — it can drag down the whole string’s output. Best for simple, south-facing roofs with no battery plans.
Hybrid inverters
Battery-readyA hybrid handles both solar conversion and battery management in one unit. For a small premium over a string inverter, it lets you add a battery from day one — or later — without replacing the inverter. Given how many homeowners end up wanting storage, this “cheap optionality” makes the hybrid the safest default for most UK homes in 2026.
Microinverters
Best for tricky roofsA small inverter sits on each panel, converting DC to AC at source. Because each panel works independently, shade on one doesn’t drag down the others — ideal for roofs with shading, dormers, chimneys or multiple orientations. You also get per-panel monitoring. It costs more, but on a complex or shaded roof it can meaningfully boost lifetime generation. Enphase is the leading brand, with a 25-year warranty.
Quick comparison table
| Type | Installed cost | Best for | Battery-ready? |
|---|---|---|---|
| String | £500–£1,500 | Simple, unshaded roofs | No (needs add-on) |
| Hybrid | £900–£2,000 | Most homes / future battery | Yes |
| Microinverter | £1,500–£2,500 | Shaded / complex roofs | Via own battery path |
The one decision that’s hard to undo
Hybrid vs string vs microinverter is a design decision, not a brand choice — and getting it wrong is expensive to fix. If you pick a basic string inverter and later want a battery, you may have to replace the inverter entirely. That’s why a hybrid is such a popular “just in case” choice.
Which inverter for your roof?
Choose a hybrid if…
- You might add a battery now or later (most people)
- You want to keep your options open
- You’re on a smart/time-of-use tariff
- — the safest all-round default
Choose string or micro if…
- String: clean unshaded roof, tight budget, no battery ever
- Micro: shading from chimneys/trees/dormers
- Micro: panels facing multiple directions
- Micro: you want per-panel monitoring
The single biggest mistake in UK installs is putting a basic string inverter on a shaded roof — it quietly loses you energy for 25 years. A good installer will spot this and recommend the right type, which is exactly what you’re paying them to do. The best angle and orientation for your panels also feeds into this — something we cover in our best solar panels guide.
How much does a solar inverter cost?
Inverters make up roughly 8–15% of a complete solar system’s cost. Here’s the 2026 picture:
- String inverter: £500–£1,500 installed (a 3kW entry model can be under £600).
- Hybrid inverter: £900–£2,000 installed — often only £200–£300 more than an equivalent string, which is why it’s such good value.
- Microinverters: £1,500–£2,500 for a full system (£60–£120 per panel plus higher install labour).
Good news on pricing: hybrid inverter costs have fallen sharply — a range that was £1,200–£2,500 in early 2026 has dropped, making the battery-ready option more affordable than ever. Note that connecting an inverter is notifiable electrical work, so factor in the electrician’s time. For how the inverter fits into your total system price, see our guides to panel costs and grants and 0% VAT.
Lifespan and warranties
Here’s something many homeowners don’t realise: the inverter is the most failure-prone part of a solar system. Its capacitors and switching electronics work hard, so a typical inverter lasts 10–15 years — shorter than the 25–30 year life of the panels themselves.
That means you should plan for one inverter replacement over the system’s lifetime, budgeting roughly £1,000–£1,500 plus labour in today’s prices. Warranties vary: premium hybrid/string brands (Fronius, SMA, SolarEdge) offer 10 years, often extendable; Enphase microinverters lead with 25 years, matching the panels. It’s worth checking the warranty when comparing quotes.
Inverter brands to know
- Solis, Growatt, GoodWe — popular, good-value string and hybrid options with solid monitoring apps.
- SolarEdge — optimiser-per-panel system with strong shading performance; the Home Hub is its battery-ready hybrid.
- Enphase — the leading microinverter brand, 25-year warranty, excellent per-panel monitoring.
- Fronius, SMA, Huawei, Sunsynk — well-regarded premium and hybrid options.
Worth knowing in 2026
The inverter and battery market moves fast, and brands come and go — GivEnergy Ltd, for example, entered administration in April 2026, which carries warranty risk for new purchases of its hardware. This is exactly why using an experienced, MCS-certified installer matters: they stay on top of which brands are safe to fit right now.
Frequently asked questions
What does a solar inverter do?
A solar inverter converts the DC electricity your panels generate into the AC electricity your home actually uses. Without an inverter, the power from your panels can’t run anything in your home. It’s one of the most important parts of any solar system.
Which type of solar inverter is best?
For most UK homes in 2026, a hybrid inverter is the best default. It costs only around £200–300 more than a basic string inverter but supports battery storage from day one. Choose a string inverter if you’ll never add a battery, or microinverters if your roof has heavy shading or multiple orientations.
How much does a solar inverter cost in the UK?
In 2026, a string inverter typically costs £500–£1,500 installed, a hybrid inverter £900–£2,000, and microinverters £1,500–£2,500 for a full system. Inverters make up roughly 8–15% of your total solar system cost.
How long do solar inverters last?
Solar inverters typically last 10–15 years — shorter than the 25–30 year lifespan of the panels, because their electronics work hard. Most come with a 5–12 year warranty (Enphase microinverters offer up to 25 years). Plan for one inverter replacement over the life of your system.
Do I need a special inverter for a battery?
To add a battery you need either a hybrid inverter (which handles both solar and battery in one), an AC-coupled battery with its own built-in inverter, or a separate battery inverter added to your string system. Choosing a hybrid from the start is usually the cheapest route if you think you’ll want storage. See our solar battery guide for more.
Hybrid is the smart default for most homes
The bottom line: Unless your roof is clean and you’re certain you’ll never add a battery, a hybrid inverter is the safest, most future-proof choice for most UK homes.
Get my free quotes →The verdict
The inverter is easy to overlook, but the type you choose shapes your whole system — your shading performance, your costs, and whether you can add a battery later. For most UK homes in 2026, a hybrid inverter is the smart, future-proof default. Go string only for a simple unshaded roof on a tight budget, or micro for a shaded or complex roof.
The best way to get it right is to compare quotes from several MCS-certified installers — they’ll assess your roof and recommend the right inverter for your home and battery plans.
Important
Going Solar UK is an introduction service, not an installer. We don’t design, supply, or fit solar systems ourselves. Inverter specifications, prices and brand information in this guide are indicative 2026 market details and vary by model, supplier and installer — always confirm current details and get a tailored quote. Brand names and trademarks belong to their respective owners and are shown to illustrate the market.
We may receive a commission when we introduce you to an installer, at no cost to you. Any contract for work is directly between you and the installer.