What Is a String Inverter?
A string inverter converts the DC electricity produced by your solar panels into AC electricity that your home and the grid can use. In a string configuration, panels are wired together in a series — a "string" — and all feed into a single inverter. The inverter is typically wall-mounted in a garage, loft, or utility room.
Leading string inverter brands in the UK in 2026 include Fronius (Symo, Primo), SMA (Sunny Boy), and Solis. These units are reliable, well-supported, and carry warranties of 5–12 years.
What Is a Hybrid Inverter?
A hybrid inverter does everything a string inverter does, but also includes a DC-coupled battery interface. This means you can connect a home battery directly to the inverter without needing a separate battery inverter. Hybrid inverters typically include energy monitoring, smart export control, and grid import management in a single unit.
Leading hybrid inverter brands in the UK in 2026 include GivEnergy (AIO series), SolarEdge (Energy Hub), Sungrow (SH series), and Fronius (GEN24 Plus).
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Key Differences Side by Side
| Feature | String Inverter | Hybrid Inverter |
|---|---|---|
| Battery compatible | No (without additional equipment) | Yes (DC-coupled) |
| Cost (installed) | £800–£1,400 | £1,500–£2,800 |
| Efficiency | 97–98% | 96–98% |
| Monitoring | Basic | Advanced (energy flows) |
| Backup power | Usually no | Often yes |
| Upgrade path | Battery inverter needed later | Battery add-on straightforward |
| Best for | Simple installations, budget-first | Battery-ready, future-proof |
The UK Semi-Detached Context
A typical UK semi-detached presents specific installation challenges:
- Split or partially shaded roof: Many semis have one roof pitch facing south-east and another facing north-west, or a chimney stack creating shading on part of the array. This makes shade management important.
- Limited roof space: A semi-detached may have 20–35m² of usable south-facing roof, supporting 4–8 panels on the primary pitch and potentially more on a secondary pitch.
- Future battery plans: Most semi-detached homeowners in 2026 intend to add battery storage within 3–5 years, making battery compatibility a priority.
When to Choose a String Inverter
A standard string inverter is the right choice if:
- You have a straightforward south-facing roof with no meaningful shading
- You have a clear budget constraint and plan to add battery storage only several years later
- You are comfortable that adding a battery later will require a separate battery inverter (additional cost)
Fronius Primo 5.0 is widely regarded as a benchmark UK string inverter — excellent efficiency, strong monitoring, 10-year warranty, and first-rate UK technical support.
When to Choose a Hybrid Inverter
A hybrid inverter is the right choice if:
- You plan to add a battery within 1–3 years
- You want whole-system monitoring from day one
- You have shading issues on part of your roof and need DC-coupled optimisation
- You want backup power capability
SolarEdge Energy Hub with HD-Wave technology is a strong choice for shaded semis — individual panel optimisers allow partial shading on one string without bringing down the whole array. The Energy Hub integrates directly with the SolarEdge battery (or compatible third-party batteries).
GivEnergy AIO (all-in-one) units are the most popular hybrid system in the UK mass market in 2026. They combine a 5kW or 6kW hybrid inverter with 9.5kWh LFP battery in a compact wall unit, with pricing significantly below equivalent SolarEdge configurations.
Optimisers and Microinverters: A Third Option
For heavily shaded semis, Enphase microinverters (IQ8 series) convert DC to AC at each panel individually. This eliminates string shading loss entirely and provides per-panel monitoring. The trade-off is higher upfront cost and more complex installation (more connections, each inverter on the roof). Enphase IQ8 microinverters with compatible Enphase IQ Battery storage create a complete, tightly integrated system.
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What to Ask Your Installer
- "What is the shading analysis for my specific roof?"
- "Does this inverter support the battery I want in 3 years?"
- "What is the warranty duration and who provides UK technical support?"
- "Does this include remote monitoring accessible to me as the homeowner?"
