If you’re getting quotes for panels and a battery, you’ll notice one box keeps showing up on the paperwork: the inverter. It’s the least glamorous part of the system and quietly the most important. Pick well and you get smooth solar charging, power-cut backup and easy app monitoring. Pick badly and you’re locked into a battery brand, or paying twice when you upgrade.
That’s why solar hybrid inverters for home use are having a moment in the UK. One unit handles your panels, your battery and the grid together, instead of juggling a separate solar inverter and battery inverter. And there’s a deadline nudging people along: the 0% VAT rate on residential solar and battery installs in Great Britain is currently scheduled to end on 31 March 2027.
What is a hybrid inverter, and why do UK homes choose one?
A standard solar inverter converts the DC power your panels make into the AC power your home uses. A hybrid inverter does that too, but it also manages a battery. Surplus midday solar goes into the battery instead of being exported, and the battery feeds the house in the evening. Many models also include an emergency power output, so key circuits stay on during a grid outage.
The big practical win is future-proofing. Some hybrid models can be installed as a normal grid-tied inverter today and have a battery added later, which suits anyone who wants solar now and storage when the budget allows. One UK installer guide puts the extra home cost of swapping an existing inverter for a hybrid at roughly £500 to £1,000, which is why most people fit a hybrid from day one if they plan to add a battery.
Quick comparison: 5 affordable hybrid inverters
| Inverter | Output | Typical equipment price (inc. VAT) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solis EH1 5G hybrid | 3kW–5kW | From about £692 (3kW); about £729 (5kW) | Lowest upfront cost |
| Fox ESS H1 G2 | 3.68kW (up to 6kW range) | About £834–£871 | Plug-and-play installs, outdoor mounting |
| Sunsynk ECCO | 3.6kW / 5kW | About £849 (3.6kW); about £1,098 (5kW) | Flexible, expandable systems |
| Growatt SPH 3600 | 3.68kW | Ask your installer (no reliable UK retail price found) | High efficiency, long warranty options |
| GivEnergy Gen 3 | 3.6kW / 5kW | Roughly £976–£1,720 depending on supplier | Polished app, UK-based support |
The 5 best affordable solar hybrid inverters for UK homes
Solis EH1 5G hybrid inverter: the budget pick
Solis is one of the biggest names in string inverters, and its single-phase hybrids are regularly the cheapest route into battery-ready solar. One UK retailer lists the 3kW EH1 5G model at £691.55 including VAT, and the 5kW version at £729.48. Both are fanless and IP65-rated, so they can be mounted outdoors, with multiple work modes aimed at maximising self-consumption.
If you want something newer, the S6-EH1P(3-8)K-L-PLUS series lists a switchover time under 4 milliseconds, a 10-second 200% overload capability and an IP66 rating, with up to 8kW of solar input on the 5kW model.[2] Retail packages usually quote a 5-year warranty.
Best for: households that want the lowest entry price and have an installer already comfortable with Solis. Watch out for: the Wi-Fi stick can be sold separately on some listings, so check what’s in the box.
Fox ESS H1 G2: easiest to install
Fox ESS has built a loyal installer following, mostly because the H1 G2 is straightforward to fit. The 3.68kW model has two MPPT trackers, takes up to 5,500W of solar, and comes with a Wi-Fi dongle and CT clamp. It’s IP65-rated with natural cooling, so there’s no fan noise, and it offers 3,680W of emergency power output. Merchants list it between roughly £834 and £871 including VAT.
It pairs with Fox’s high-voltage batteries, which are generally more efficient round-trip than low-voltage packs, and the maker’s datasheet lists a maximum efficiency of around 97%.[3] It can also be installed as a standard grid-tied inverter now, with a battery added later.
Best for: homeowners who want solar now, a battery later, and a tidy outdoor install. Watch out for: you’re tied to Fox-compatible high-voltage batteries.
Sunsynk ECCO: the flexible all-rounder
Sunsynk has a reputation for configurability, and the ECCO range is its value line. The 3.6kW model is listed at £707.50 plus VAT (£849 including), while the 5kW unit sits around £1,098 including VAT.
What you get for that: dual MPPT, IP65 protection, compatibility with lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries, separate essential and non-essential load outputs, a zero-export function, and a Wi-Fi logger and CT in the box. A single 5kW unit can connect up to 16 Sunsynk 5.12kWh battery modules, so there’s plenty of headroom to grow.
Best for: bigger households or anyone planning to expand storage over time. Watch out for: it’s a low-voltage (48V) system, so round-trip efficiency and home cabling needs differ from high-voltage options. Ask your installer to explain the trade-off.
Growatt SPH 3600: efficient, with generous warranty options
Growatt’s SPH range is a common sight on UK roofs. The SPH 3600 is a 3.68kW single-phase hybrid with two MPPT inputs, IP65 protection, natural cooling and a listed maximum efficiency of 97.5%. Distributors describe the newer SPH BL-UP series with a 10-year warranty, while the older SPH 3600 listing shows 5 years, so get the warranty length confirmed in writing for the exact model you’re quoted.
I couldn’t find a trustworthy UK retail price for this one, so rather than guess, ask installers to quote it side by side with the others. It’s often competitive once labour and commissioning are included.
Best for: buyers who care about efficiency figures and warranty length. Watch out for: the Wi-Fi adapter is listed as a separate purchase by some sellers.
GivEnergy Gen 3: the polished UK option
GivEnergy is a UK company, and it shows in the app and the support. The Gen 3 3.6kW hybrid supports up to 7.5kWp of solar and has IP65 protection and a 5-year warranty listed by merchants. It’s the priciest here: one supplier lists it at £1,187.98 including VAT, another at about £976, and a third at over £1,700. That spread is the best argument for shopping around.
One practical catch: installers need to complete GivEnergy’s training for the warranty to stand, so choose an installer who’s already registered.
Best for: people who want a slick monitoring app and UK-based support. Watch out for: higher upfront price than the first three.
How to choose the right solar hybrid inverter for your home
- Match the inverter to your solar array. Check the maximum DC input against your soler panel capacity. A 3.68kW inverter can happily run a bigger array, but you’ll clip peak output on sunny days.
- Decide on battery voltage. High-voltage systems (like Fox ESS) tend to be more efficient; low-voltage (like Sunsynk) tend to be more modular and easier to expand.
- Check backup power. Emergency power output is not the same as whole-home backup. Ask which circuits stay live and for how long.
- Think about your next five years. EV charger, heat pump, a second battery? Choose an inverter with headroom now rather than replacing it later.
- Prioritise the installer. A well-fitted mid-priced inverter beats a premium one installed by someone who’s never commissioned it.
What will it all cost, and what’s the VAT deadline?
The inverter is only a slice of the bill. The Energy Saving Trust says home battery systems typically cost £5,000 to £8,000. The good news is that installation of solar panels and batteries in residential property is zero-rated for VAT in Great Britain from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2027 under the Value Added Tax (Installation of Energy-Saving Materials) Order. The zero rate was widened from 1 February 2024 to cover battery storage installed on its own, including retrofits to existing systems. After March 2027 the rate is scheduled to revert to 5%, so if you’re planning an install, getting contracts signed and work completed before then could save a meaningful sum.
Supply-only purchases (just buying the box) don’t get the relief; it applies to supply and installation by an installer, so your own installer’s invoice is what matters.
Get paid for exporting: the Smart Export Guarantee
Whatever hybrid inverter you choose, you can be paid for surplus electricity you send to the grid through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Ofgem explains that the scheme launched on 1 January 2020, suppliers set their own rates (which must always be above zero), and payments are based on export meter readings. Rates vary a lot, so shop around.
One thing worth knowing: a battery reduces how much you export, so your export income falls. Home Energy Scotland advises factoring that into your savings estimate, and suggests a time-of-use tariff so the battery can charge cheaply off-peak.
Do you need G98 or G99 approval?
Your installer will handle this, but it helps to understand it. On a single-phase home supply, inverters up to 3.68kW (16A per phase) usually go through the simpler G98 route: connect, then notify the network operator within 28 days. Anything above that typically needs G99 approval before you switch on, though export-limited setups can change the answer. These are the Energy Networks Association’s engineering recommendations, and it’s the inverter’s export rating that matters, not the size of your battery or the number of panels. It’s one reason many popular hybrids come in 3.68kW versions.
Frequently asked questions
Is a hybrid inverter worth it if I don’t have a battery yet?
Often, yes. Some models, including the Fox ESS H1 G2, can run as a standard grid-tied inverter and accept a battery later, which avoids paying for a second inverter down the line.
How long do hybrid inverters last?
Warranties on the models above typically run 5 to 10 years depending on brand and series. Inverters are usually the first component in a solar system you’ll need to replace, so factor that into long-term costs.
What size hybrid inverter does an average UK home need?
Most three- and four-bedroom homes with a 3kWp to 5kWp array are well served by a 3.6kW to 5kW single-phase unit. Your installer should size it from your roof, usage and plans for an EV or heat pump.
Can I install a hybrid inverter myself?
No. Connecting to the grid needs a qualified electrician, and the G98/G99 process, commissioning and warranty all depend on a registered installer.
The bottom line
If budget is everything, the Solis EH1 5G is the cheapest way into a battery-ready system. Fox ESS H1 G2 is the sweet spot for tidy, simple installs. Sunsynk ECCO gives you the most room to expand, Growatt SPH rewards the spec-sheet readers, and GivEnergy is the pick if you value an excellent app and UK support. Whichever you lean towards, get at least three installer quotes, ask for the exact model and warranty in writing, and keep that 31 March 2027 VAT date in mind.
