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Solar Inverters, what are they and how do they work?

by | Updated Oct 31, 2023 | Solar Inverter Installation, Solar Inverters, Solar Technology

Solar Inverter installed by NxtGen Energy Ltd photo

What is a Solar Inverter and how does it work?

One of the key components in any solar panel system is the solar inverter. The solar inverter converts the direct current (DC) electricity that the solar panels produce into alternating current (AC) electricity that your home appliances and the National Grid use. AC electricity has a standard voltage level that varies by country, usually 120 volts or 240 volts. Without a solar inverter, you would not be able to use the solar energy from your solar panels safely and efficiently in your home or business.

The performance of your solar panel system depends on the quality of your solar inverter. A good solar inverter can optimize the amount of energy that your solar panels generate and reduce the losses due to conversion from DC to AC electricity. Thatā€™s why at NxtGen Energy we pay attention to the selection and installation of high quality solar inverters to ensure you get the best efficiency and cost savings from your solar panel system.

What does a Solar Inverter actually do?

Think of Solar inverters as the brains of a solar panel system. Their essential features include:

  • They convert DC (direct current) to AC (alternating current) electricity.
  • They maximise the power output of your solar panel system.
  • They communicate with the National Grid for the export of power.
  • They give feedback about power production of the solar panel system.
  • They help ensure that your solar panel system is operating safely.

What are the different types of Solar Inverters?

In the UK there are four main types of solar inverters that you can choose from. The four types are string inverters, micro-inverters, hybrid inverters and power optimiser inverters. In this post we will explore the key characteristics of each kind of solar panel inverter. So that choosing the right solar inverter for your solar energy system couldnā€™t be simpler.

Solar Inverter Photo

String Inverters

When you have a solar panel installation and the Solar Panels are connected in series, they form a chain called a ā€˜stringā€™. A string inverter is a device that converts the DC electricity from a string of solar panels into AC electricity for your home, business or the national grid. To make sure the string inverter works well, all the panels in a string should have the same angle and direction, this is called a ‘single string’. However, you can connect more than one string to a single inverter if it has multiple MPPTs (Maximum Power Point Tracking). MPPTs are features that help the inverter find the best voltage and current for each string. This way, you can have different strings of solar panels facing different directions, such as east and west, this is called a ‘dual string’, and you still get the most out of your solar energy generation.

A single string or dual strings normally don’t connect to a battery. To add a solar battery to a string inverter you would need to add an AC charger, so if you are looking at Solar Battery Storage for your solar panel system you would be better off going for a hybrid solar inverter that has the AC charger built in.

Some of the brands that offer string inverters are Alpha, GivEnergy, Growatt, Sofar, SolarEdge, Solax and Solis.

Pros and Cons of String Inverters

Pros

  • A reliable and trusted form of solar technology, which allows for multiple strings of panels.

Cons

  • Limited design flexibility which may not suit more complicated solar energy projects.
  • If one panel is damaged or shaded the performance of the entire solar system is affected.
  • You will have to add an AC charger if you want to use solar battery storage.
Micro-inverters on a solar panel photo

Micro Inverters

Micro inverters are a new and innovative technology that offer many benefits for home solar panel systems. Unlike string inverters, which can reduce the performance of the whole system if one solar panel is faulty or shaded, micro inverters work independently for each solar panel. This means that any problem with one panel will not affect the others. Micro inverters also allow you to install more panels on your roof, even in areas that are partially shaded or have different orientations. Although micro inverters are usually more expensive than string inverters, they can increase your solar energy generation and payback over time.

Pros and Cons of Micro Inverters

Pros

  • Micro inverters allow for individual solar panel monitoring, which is great for finding faults in specific panels and monitoring performance levels of your entire solar panel system.
  • Enphase micro inverters have a feature called ā€˜Burst Modeā€ which converts low power levels in solar panels with higher conversion efficiencies, which is a great bonus.

Cons

  • The main downside of micro inverters is that they have a higher initial cost, compared to a string inverter.
Hybrid inverter photo

Hybrid Solar Inverters

A hybrid solar inverter is a device that can help you make the most of your solar panel system with storage. It converts the DC (direct current) electricity from your solar panels into AC (alternating current) electricity that you can use in your home or business. It also manages the flow of DC electricity to and from your solar battery and the national grid. When your solar panels produce more electricity than you need, the hybrid inverter can store the excess electricity in your solar battery or sell it to the national grid. When your solar panels produce less electricity than you need, the hybrid inverter can draw power from your battery or the national grid. This way, you can optimize your energy consumption and your cost savings.

Some of the brands that offer hybrid solar inverters are Growatt, GivEnergy, Solis, Sofar, SolarEdge, Solax and Alpha.

Pros and Cons of Hybrid Solar Inverters

Pros

  • Hybrid inverters can be integrated directly into your solar battery storage, and therefore centralise the monitoring of the solar panel array performance.

Cons

  • If you already have a solar panel system installed and you are looking to add solar battery storage to your system, then financially it is better to install an AC charger over a new inverter.
  • Hybrid inverters are about 50% more expensive than string inverters. They also only integrate with DC solar batteries, this can sometimes limit your solar battery storage choice.
Power inverter photo

Power Optimiser Inverters

Power optimiser inverters are devices that can improve the efficiency and monitoring of your solar panels. They are also called DC power optimisers, because they optimize the DC electricity output of each panel. They are similar to micro-inverters, but they do not convert the DC electricity into AC electricity on the roof. Instead, they send the DC electricity to a string inverter, which is usually located near your battery storage system. Power inverters are often cheaper than micro-inverters, but they still offer the advantages of panel-level optimisation and performance monitoring.

One of the best brands for power inverters is SolarEdge. Their products can increase your solar energy generation, detect any issues and prevent any electrical faults. By choosing a SolarEdge PV System, you are choosing to generate more clean energy.

Pros and Cons of Power Inverters

Pros

  • Power inverters are a cheaper alternative to Micro-inverters.
  • Power inverters allow for maximum energy production, reducing the impact of shading and even mismatched modules.
  • A SolarEdge power Inverter offers a record-breaking 99% efficiency,

Cons

  • They are 50% more expensive than string inverters.

So, which Solar Inverter is right for your solar energy project?

Every residential home and business property requires different solar needs. It’s important to choose the right solar inverter for your solar energy project. Hence why our team here at NXTGEN Energy offer a free quote and free consultations to design you with a bespoke solar panel system. Looking for solar panel installers in London, Essex, Hampshire, Kent, Suffolk or Norfolk? We are MCS Certified Solar Panel Installers, when you choose NXTGEN Energy for your solar energy project you know you are in safe hands. Call us today on 01268 928 690 or click the ‘Enquire Now’ button to talk to a solar expert.

Enquire Now ā†’

Robert Wheeler

Robert Wheeler handles the Marketing and Business Development at NXTGEN Energy Ltd, a solar energy solutions company based in Rayleigh, Essex, UK. He is passionate about helping homeowners and businesses save money on their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint. Robert loves to share his knowledge and expertise on solar energy, and he regularly writes informative articles on the NXTGEN Energy blog. If you’re looking at investing in Residential Solar Panels in Essex or Commercial Solar Panels in Essex, Kent, London and the surrounding areas, contact NXTGEN Energy today. Your trusted MCS Certification Solar PV and Battery Storage Installer. Need Pigeon Proofing or Solar Panel Cleaning?

Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Inverters

What are the types of solar inverters?

What are the 4 types of inverters? In the UK there are four main types of solar inverters that you can choose from. The four types are string inverters, micro-inverters, hybrid inverters and power optimiser inverters.

What type of solar inverter is best for a solar panel system?

String inverters are the standard for most residential home systems. They work by connecting multiple solar panels into an array (single string on one part of your roof or dual string on multiple parts of your roof) and sending the power to a centralized solar inverter for DC (direct current) to AC (alternating current) conversion that’s compatible with the national grid. String inverters are affordable and efficient.

What size solar inverter do I need for my home?

How do I know what size solar inverter to buy? Your inverter should be aligned with the DC rating of the solar panel system itself. So, if you have a 6 kilowatt (kW) system you will need a solar inverter that is around the 6000 W mark to match it.

Can you run a solar inverter without solar battery storage?

Can I use solar panels and solar inverters without solar battery storage? The answer is yes, if you are connected to the national grid, you can use solar panels and solar inverters without solar battery storage.

What is the life expectancy of a solar inverter?

When do you need to replace a solar inverter? While most solar power inverters come with a lifespan of approximately 5 to 10 years, they do require regular maintenance in order to ensure optimal solar inverter efficiency.

Do solar inverters need maintenance?

Do you have to maintain your solar inverter? A solar inverter requires very little maintenance. Once you make sure it’s properly installed, you simply need to keep it clean. Wipe it free of any accumulating dust, debris, and cobwebs on a regular basis.

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Our Recent Customer Reviews

NXTGEN Energy Limited
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Based on 33 reviews
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Philip LennardPhilip Lennard
14:36 15 Aug 24
I recently ordered a 12 panel Solar system plus Inverter and iBoost plus Car Charger. All went really well except for a couple of, what I would call very minor hiccups.As soon as superstar Kelly got involved, hiccups went away. As if by magic!!!The whole team, to include Conner, Ben, the install team were excellent.They did everything that was "on the tin", thanks, Phil
Bob ā€œMkbobā€ JamesBob ā€œMkbobā€ James
12:22 05 Aug 24
The installation was quick and efficient. The installation of the inverter and battery in the garage was very neat.The team were very friendly and quick to answer all the questions I asked.They explained the process from start to finish and gave me great confidence in the Company.My contact at the company had an excellent customer centred manner and went the extra mile to ensure a smooth process.I would strongly recommend this company.
Tom WoodTom Wood
11:13 30 Jul 24
Fantastic company to deal with. Contacted them on the strength of positive reviews left by others and was thankful I did. I dealt with Steve who was extremely helpful and attentive throughout in guiding me to the correct (and not the most expensive) setup to meet our needs. The team had the DNO done, scaffolding up and job fully completed within 2 weeks of ordering despite my location being some 2.5hrs away from their base in Essex. Highly recommended if youā€™re thinking of going solar like we did. Thanks Nxt Gen!
Kerrie BolingbrokeKerrie Bolingbroke
20:30 12 Jul 24
Great customer service from pre-sale to after sale. Competitive prices and friendly fitters.
graham younggraham young
17:48 17 Jun 24
If you are considering installing a solar panel and battery system you should definitely give this company ago. My faith in getting great service has been restored when I used NXTGEN energy.From the very beginning talking to steve the consultant in my area who was very knowledgeable and offered to quote like for like so I could compare systems and prices fairly. The purchasing on line was easy and straightforward. Once the permissions were received the installation date was agreed and a few days later Nxtgen scaffolding team arrived bright and early and put up the scaffolding ( on a Saturday). They were great and within 2 hours had the complete scaffold erected. On the Monday the electrical team and panel team arrived to install the system, 11 panels, inverter and 2 batteries and water booster. Harrison,Louie,Craig and Aden worked as a team and installed the complete system in one day. Harrison was very helpfuland commissioned the system and explained how the system worked. These teams are a credit to Nxtgen and were true expert tradesmen. I can highly recommend NXTGEN.
DanielDaniel
12:43 23 May 24
Faultless from start to finish. Couldn't have received a better service!I started looking into solar panels and a battery and stumbled across NXTGEN from Facebook. I reached out to them and dealt with Bobby, Bobby is incredibly knowledgeable and a genuinely nice guy. He answered lots of questions, designed multiple options for me, but most of all he listened and offered his professional opinion.Unlike other companies I spoke to Bobby understood why we wanted solar, why we wanted the givenergy battery and our budget to design a system that would work brilliantly.NXTGEN offered a personal service rather than the generic 4 bed hour is 12 or 16 panels etc, they listen and come up with the best solution.After we settled on the set-up we were passed to Kelly. Kelly handled all the admin side and seemed to always want to help. There were no delays on NXTGENs side and managed to get all our certificates etc quicker than expected.Once it was all agreed, deposit paid etc it came onto the installation.NXTGENs scaffolding arm came and put up the scaffolding on Wednesday, lovely chaps all very polite , respectful and friendly.Thursday the solar team turned up and set straight to work fitting the 20 panels, inverter and battery. Yet again, a lovely bunch of guys who were all polite, respectful and friendly. It was a two day install and they completed it on Friday. They showed me the whole system got it all up and running, apps connected etc.I would genuinely recommend them to everyone and have already passed on their details to my work and friends. They offer a great service at a very competitive price.Solar feels like the new double glazing sales where you get pestered and pushed into options. However that is completely not how NXTGEN operate, they are the complete opposite.We opted for 20 panels, 5kwh inverter and a 9.6kwh battery. While the inverter is slightly undersized, we achieve great energy even in cloudy conditions, we only lose out on super sunny days and it wasn't worth for us to get the bigger more expensive inverter.
Brian AingerBrian Ainger
08:43 01 May 24
Choosing a solar installer is a nightmare, we are so glad that we found NXTGEN. From the initial contact with Steve, the quote from Bobby and the installation by Connor and his team this has been seamless and stress free. They supplied quality equipment at a reasonable price, excellent technical knowledge and advice, all supplied and installed on time. As anyone knows its so difficult to choose a company as there are so many pitfalls , we cannot recommend NXTGEN highly enough so pleased we chose you.
Marcin GajdowskiMarcin Gajdowski
21:36 08 Apr 24
I am very happy with the solar panels and battery system. Excellent customer services, Instalation. Highly recommend
Martin YeungMartin Yeung
11:14 31 Mar 24
Fantastic experience from start to finish ! Bobby was extremely helpful and always available to answer any questionsThe guys that came to fit were polite and tidied up after themselves, we couldn't have asked for more.From start to finish it was done within a week... so no hanging about like waiting weeks or months and getting stressed.. so all in all, im very happy to have chosen NXT GEN
Martin PattinsonMartin Pattinson
15:09 26 Mar 24
We initially used NxtGen for our consultation and this went really well. NxtGen then subcontracted to Cozy Energy, which again was fine. The installation went well. It was then that things started to go awry. Cozy failed to supply us with a guarantee, MPAN or MCS certificate. Over a period of approximately six months, we were promised that "this was being dealt with", or "someone would get back to us", but nothing was resolved. It was then that we re contacted NxtGen and they could not have been more helpful. Whilst it did take a while, all of the issues have been resolved and Kelly at NxtGen could not have been more helpful. I would thoroughly recommend NxtGen.
Luke BrassingtonLuke Brassington
11:27 26 Mar 24
Really happy to give the NxtGen team a 5-star review.Stuart on the sales team was fantastic in the build up, Kelly in the office was always there to support and the team who did the install were fantastic (and even interacted with my very interested children)Very happy with the whole process
Rob JonesRob Jones
07:59 14 Mar 24
After some initial hiccups, really pleased with the service from nxtgen, specially Kelly who smoothed everything out
Malcolm TaitMalcolm Tait
10:51 08 Nov 23
Very good customer service all the way and they provide a great all round solar installation provision. Glad we used them from start to finish and after care👍.
Silnicorp Web DesignSilnicorp Web Design
15:56 17 Oct 23
Excellent price and service. Would recommend for sure.
frank edenfrank eden
08:24 02 Oct 23
If your in the market for a Solar installation then I can really highly recommend Nxtgen.We researched the technology and got several quotes from other companies most of which were located much closer to us.Nxtgen came out on top on price , specification and delivery.Once we made the decision to proceed the whole process took less than a week from placing the order to complete installation.The scaffold was erected at the front and back of our house on the Wednesday,on the Thursday the installation team arrived at 8.30 sharp , having driven from Essex to Oxfordshire, (which is about a 3 hour drive) and after a quick cup of tea the 3 chaps got straight to work, by the end of the day the whole system was in place and commissioned and up and running. To install 6 panels on front roof plus 6 panels on the back roof CW birdguard with the inverter and battery in the loft,They tidied up and left around 7 in the evening with another 3 HR drive in front of them I have to say they did a fantastic job , I take my hat off to them, they are a credit to Nxtgen.Darren and Kelley from the Sales and admin team at Nxtgen are very helpful and accomodating and made the whole process very easy with prompt responses to any queries we have had along the way,although it's early days and the system only 2 days old the savings are already racking up.Well pleased , I'd post 6 stars if I could, well done Nxtgen
Ash VAsh V
09:13 14 Jul 23
A wonderfully efficient installation with a genuine pre-quote discussion of my needs prior to offering advice on the best solution to meet them. Very happy with the service.
Matt AlexanderMatt Alexander
10:37 15 Jun 23
I chose NxtGen to install our solar and battery system having received 12 quotes from various companies and couldnā€™t be happier with either the service or the resulting system.I work in the renewables industry and so came to my own project with a reasonable amount of knowledge, not that I made that clear to any of the installers who called me back.I had spoken with 7 installers by the time Stuart at NxtGen called me, and it was immediately obvious that I was speaking to someone knowledgeable, honest and who was genuinely interested in designing a system specific to my own needs and preferences.Having reviewed all 12 quotes, NxtGen was jumped out above all others based on knowledge, helpfulness, quality of the kit being offered and even price. I wouldnā€™t have picked a quote based purely on price, but the fact NxtGen was also the most competitive of the 12 I had received meant a great deal.I was kept informed throughout the whole process, Stuart responding quickly and usefully to all my email queries. Once contracts had been signed, Kelly picked up the baton and gave me regular updates on our DNO notification, all the way through to the installation.With DNO approval in hand, we waited just 10 days for the scaffolding to be put up, which was done within a couple of hours and to a very high standard. Plenty of care was taken to protect our new patio, and I was left confident in a job well done.Installation happened just a few days later, and again, it couldnā€™t have gone any smoother. The 3 installers were all helpful, knowledgeable, friendly and keen to do a good job. The work has been completed to a very high standard, with all wiring very neatly finished and the panels tightly aligned to the exact centre of our roof. The inverter and batteries were also installed incredibly neatly, with all cables hidden. The installers did a great job tidying up on the day and the left us with nothing other than a very positive experience.I was genuinely hopeful that the brilliant first impression I got when I spoke with Stuart would be reflected throughout the entire install, and so Iā€™m beyond delighted that proved to very much be the case.Stuart, Kelly, the scaffolders and the installers should take a great deal of pride in being part of such an excellent team.Thank you to the whole team, I couldnā€™t be happier and wouldnā€™t hesitate to recommend NxtGen.
Jill HarrisonJill Harrison
18:09 08 May 23
We had Stuart as a project manager who was super. We had solar panels and a house battery fitted and they are excellent. The process was quick and professional and Stuart was super responsive to any questions or emails I sent. The electricians were also excellent. Thank you
Alastair AstonAlastair Aston
12:26 24 Apr 23
Great experience on a 7KW solar installation in Hampshire. I sought quotes from many installers beforehand and this was one of the most reasonable. (theres a lot of opportunists out there who'll happily charge a few K more!) Really good decision - Sean managed the whole process end to end, great communication & a quality job that looks great and delivers ample power. Much recommended to anyone taking their first step on the Solar journey.
Joe FletcherJoe Fletcher
17:36 04 Apr 23
Like most people I sat other fence for aged, I only wish I had jumped months ago. NXT GEN were by far te out competitive qoute that fulfilled my requirements.Sean arranged installation quickly without any hassle or pressure, the installation was done in one day by a very knowledgeable skilled team who just got on with installing the system.Totally happy with how it's been so far as it's only been 6 days sonce installation yet I've already seen substantial savings on electricity costs.My advice would be just give NXT GEN a call when seeking quotes.
Ronald WaggRonald Wagg
15:58 30 Mar 23
With the energy crisis starting to bite (autumn 2022). We did some research on the various options available we decided that we wanted to install solar panels to ease our energy bills. We obtained three quotes. Nxtgenenergy ticked all of the boxes as far as we were concerned and did happen to be the cheapest. We were helped all the way from quotation to the final installation by Stuart and Sean and at no time did we feel under any pressure. As the system was only installed two days ago we have yet to discover the full potential of the system, but we are encouraged by the performance seen so far. I will be honest and say that my prime concern is to save money, I am sure that my installation will not save the planet. From the projections given to me by Stuart I may be able to achieve a return on my investment of up to 10% per year compared to the small returns I could get if I kept my money invested elsewhere.I look forward to monitoring the system performance over the coming months / years.
Derek SouthgateDerek Southgate
20:26 23 Jan 23
Really positive experience with Nxtgen. In danger of becoming a solar power evangelist. We needed our roof replaced as well and they handled everything. New roof is first class and I can't stop looking at the app to see how much we are generating. Sean made the system selection clear. Already considering another battery!
Victor SimonisVictor Simonis
15:06 05 Sep 22
I dealt with Sean at NXTGen over a six month period due to a complicated installation. I only have praise for Sean who kept to his word throughout the entire job which is now running satisfactorily. I recommend this company amidst the many that are in the same business knowing you will be supported through the planning and installation stages.
Clive WestClive West
13:00 24 Aug 22
In looking to install solar and battery this year, Nxtgen were by far the most responsive and helpful company. They had a lot of options compared to other companies, which is good but worth swatting up before so you know whats, what. Ended up with a good sized system, inc battery storage, installed quickly at a good price that so far is working well. This is impressive as demand is so high for this at present, some companies wait lists are months and months!
Geoff DoggettGeoff Doggett
14:19 25 Jul 22
I had a solar installation planned and installed in March 2022. The quotation was accurate and understandable and so I went ahead. The installers were quick and did a good job including the electrical work and inverter/battery installation. The system has been working well according to the app I have. I wholeheaartedly reccommend Next Generation - they are experienced and their customer care is excellent. Good to know I am in safe hands in the future!
Rick ExtonRick Exton
10:23 25 Jul 22
Great system installed and working perfectly as expected. System design was changed at my request numerous times effortlessly. On day of install engineer suggested better location (loft) for inverter and battery pack meaning no unsightly cables were seen. Great customer service throughout. Getting MCS certification was a bit slow but not the fault of the company. I would definately recommend. Great company and top spec system at a good price.
Dawn MortonDawn Morton
09:17 22 Jul 22
From start to finish this company's professional standards were excellent. Once the acquisition of the materials had been confirmed, the installation and customer service was fantastic and would highly recommend.
Philip LennardPhilip Lennard
14:36 15 Aug 24
I recently ordered a 12 panel Solar system plus Inverter and iBoost plus Car Charger. All went really well except for a couple of, what I would call very minor hiccups.As soon as superstar Kelly got involved, hiccups went away. As if by magic!!!The whole team, to include Conner, Ben, the install team were excellent.They did everything that was "on the tin", thanks, Phil
Bob ā€œMkbobā€ JamesBob ā€œMkbobā€ James
12:22 05 Aug 24
The installation was quick and efficient. The installation of the inverter and battery in the garage was very neat.The team were very friendly and quick to answer all the questions I asked.They explained the process from start to finish and gave me great confidence in the Company.My contact at the company had an excellent customer centred manner and went the extra mile to ensure a smooth process.I would strongly recommend this company.
Tom WoodTom Wood
11:13 30 Jul 24
Fantastic company to deal with. Contacted them on the strength of positive reviews left by others and was thankful I did. I dealt with Steve who was extremely helpful and attentive throughout in guiding me to the correct (and not the most expensive) setup to meet our needs. The team had the DNO done, scaffolding up and job fully completed within 2 weeks of ordering despite my location being some 2.5hrs away from their base in Essex. Highly recommended if youā€™re thinking of going solar like we did. Thanks Nxt Gen!
Kerrie BolingbrokeKerrie Bolingbroke
20:30 12 Jul 24
Great customer service from pre-sale to after sale. Competitive prices and friendly fitters.
graham younggraham young
17:48 17 Jun 24
If you are considering installing a solar panel and battery system you should definitely give this company ago. My faith in getting great service has been restored when I used NXTGEN energy.From the very beginning talking to steve the consultant in my area who was very knowledgeable and offered to quote like for like so I could compare systems and prices fairly. The purchasing on line was easy and straightforward. Once the permissions were received the installation date was agreed and a few days later Nxtgen scaffolding team arrived bright and early and put up the scaffolding ( on a Saturday). They were great and within 2 hours had the complete scaffold erected. On the Monday the electrical team and panel team arrived to install the system, 11 panels, inverter and 2 batteries and water booster. Harrison,Louie,Craig and Aden worked as a team and installed the complete system in one day. Harrison was very helpfuland commissioned the system and explained how the system worked. These teams are a credit to Nxtgen and were true expert tradesmen. I can highly recommend NXTGEN.
DanielDaniel
12:43 23 May 24
Faultless from start to finish. Couldn't have received a better service!I started looking into solar panels and a battery and stumbled across NXTGEN from Facebook. I reached out to them and dealt with Bobby, Bobby is incredibly knowledgeable and a genuinely nice guy. He answered lots of questions, designed multiple options for me, but most of all he listened and offered his professional opinion.Unlike other companies I spoke to Bobby understood why we wanted solar, why we wanted the givenergy battery and our budget to design a system that would work brilliantly.NXTGEN offered a personal service rather than the generic 4 bed hour is 12 or 16 panels etc, they listen and come up with the best solution.After we settled on the set-up we were passed to Kelly. Kelly handled all the admin side and seemed to always want to help. There were no delays on NXTGENs side and managed to get all our certificates etc quicker than expected.Once it was all agreed, deposit paid etc it came onto the installation.NXTGENs scaffolding arm came and put up the scaffolding on Wednesday, lovely chaps all very polite , respectful and friendly.Thursday the solar team turned up and set straight to work fitting the 20 panels, inverter and battery. Yet again, a lovely bunch of guys who were all polite, respectful and friendly. It was a two day install and they completed it on Friday. They showed me the whole system got it all up and running, apps connected etc.I would genuinely recommend them to everyone and have already passed on their details to my work and friends. They offer a great service at a very competitive price.Solar feels like the new double glazing sales where you get pestered and pushed into options. However that is completely not how NXTGEN operate, they are the complete opposite.We opted for 20 panels, 5kwh inverter and a 9.6kwh battery. While the inverter is slightly undersized, we achieve great energy even in cloudy conditions, we only lose out on super sunny days and it wasn't worth for us to get the bigger more expensive inverter.
Brian AingerBrian Ainger
08:43 01 May 24
Choosing a solar installer is a nightmare, we are so glad that we found NXTGEN. From the initial contact with Steve, the quote from Bobby and the installation by Connor and his team this has been seamless and stress free. They supplied quality equipment at a reasonable price, excellent technical knowledge and advice, all supplied and installed on time. As anyone knows its so difficult to choose a company as there are so many pitfalls , we cannot recommend NXTGEN highly enough so pleased we chose you.
Marcin GajdowskiMarcin Gajdowski
21:36 08 Apr 24
I am very happy with the solar panels and battery system. Excellent customer services, Instalation. Highly recommend
Martin YeungMartin Yeung
11:14 31 Mar 24
Fantastic experience from start to finish ! Bobby was extremely helpful and always available to answer any questionsThe guys that came to fit were polite and tidied up after themselves, we couldn't have asked for more.From start to finish it was done within a week... so no hanging about like waiting weeks or months and getting stressed.. so all in all, im very happy to have chosen NXT GEN
Martin PattinsonMartin Pattinson
15:09 26 Mar 24
We initially used NxtGen for our consultation and this went really well. NxtGen then subcontracted to Cozy Energy, which again was fine. The installation went well. It was then that things started to go awry. Cozy failed to supply us with a guarantee, MPAN or MCS certificate. Over a period of approximately six months, we were promised that "this was being dealt with", or "someone would get back to us", but nothing was resolved. It was then that we re contacted NxtGen and they could not have been more helpful. Whilst it did take a while, all of the issues have been resolved and Kelly at NxtGen could not have been more helpful. I would thoroughly recommend NxtGen.
Luke BrassingtonLuke Brassington
11:27 26 Mar 24
Really happy to give the NxtGen team a 5-star review.Stuart on the sales team was fantastic in the build up, Kelly in the office was always there to support and the team who did the install were fantastic (and even interacted with my very interested children)Very happy with the whole process
Rob JonesRob Jones
07:59 14 Mar 24
After some initial hiccups, really pleased with the service from nxtgen, specially Kelly who smoothed everything out
Malcolm TaitMalcolm Tait
10:51 08 Nov 23
Very good customer service all the way and they provide a great all round solar installation provision. Glad we used them from start to finish and after care👍.
Silnicorp Web DesignSilnicorp Web Design
15:56 17 Oct 23
Excellent price and service. Would recommend for sure.
frank edenfrank eden
08:24 02 Oct 23
If your in the market for a Solar installation then I can really highly recommend Nxtgen.We researched the technology and got several quotes from other companies most of which were located much closer to us.Nxtgen came out on top on price , specification and delivery.Once we made the decision to proceed the whole process took less than a week from placing the order to complete installation.The scaffold was erected at the front and back of our house on the Wednesday,on the Thursday the installation team arrived at 8.30 sharp , having driven from Essex to Oxfordshire, (which is about a 3 hour drive) and after a quick cup of tea the 3 chaps got straight to work, by the end of the day the whole system was in place and commissioned and up and running. To install 6 panels on front roof plus 6 panels on the back roof CW birdguard with the inverter and battery in the loft,They tidied up and left around 7 in the evening with another 3 HR drive in front of them I have to say they did a fantastic job , I take my hat off to them, they are a credit to Nxtgen.Darren and Kelley from the Sales and admin team at Nxtgen are very helpful and accomodating and made the whole process very easy with prompt responses to any queries we have had along the way,although it's early days and the system only 2 days old the savings are already racking up.Well pleased , I'd post 6 stars if I could, well done Nxtgen
Ash VAsh V
09:13 14 Jul 23
A wonderfully efficient installation with a genuine pre-quote discussion of my needs prior to offering advice on the best solution to meet them. Very happy with the service.
Matt AlexanderMatt Alexander
10:37 15 Jun 23
I chose NxtGen to install our solar and battery system having received 12 quotes from various companies and couldnā€™t be happier with either the service or the resulting system.I work in the renewables industry and so came to my own project with a reasonable amount of knowledge, not that I made that clear to any of the installers who called me back.I had spoken with 7 installers by the time Stuart at NxtGen called me, and it was immediately obvious that I was speaking to someone knowledgeable, honest and who was genuinely interested in designing a system specific to my own needs and preferences.Having reviewed all 12 quotes, NxtGen was jumped out above all others based on knowledge, helpfulness, quality of the kit being offered and even price. I wouldnā€™t have picked a quote based purely on price, but the fact NxtGen was also the most competitive of the 12 I had received meant a great deal.I was kept informed throughout the whole process, Stuart responding quickly and usefully to all my email queries. Once contracts had been signed, Kelly picked up the baton and gave me regular updates on our DNO notification, all the way through to the installation.With DNO approval in hand, we waited just 10 days for the scaffolding to be put up, which was done within a couple of hours and to a very high standard. Plenty of care was taken to protect our new patio, and I was left confident in a job well done.Installation happened just a few days later, and again, it couldnā€™t have gone any smoother. The 3 installers were all helpful, knowledgeable, friendly and keen to do a good job. The work has been completed to a very high standard, with all wiring very neatly finished and the panels tightly aligned to the exact centre of our roof. The inverter and batteries were also installed incredibly neatly, with all cables hidden. The installers did a great job tidying up on the day and the left us with nothing other than a very positive experience.I was genuinely hopeful that the brilliant first impression I got when I spoke with Stuart would be reflected throughout the entire install, and so Iā€™m beyond delighted that proved to very much be the case.Stuart, Kelly, the scaffolders and the installers should take a great deal of pride in being part of such an excellent team.Thank you to the whole team, I couldnā€™t be happier and wouldnā€™t hesitate to recommend NxtGen.
Jill HarrisonJill Harrison
18:09 08 May 23
We had Stuart as a project manager who was super. We had solar panels and a house battery fitted and they are excellent. The process was quick and professional and Stuart was super responsive to any questions or emails I sent. The electricians were also excellent. Thank you
Alastair AstonAlastair Aston
12:26 24 Apr 23
Great experience on a 7KW solar installation in Hampshire. I sought quotes from many installers beforehand and this was one of the most reasonable. (theres a lot of opportunists out there who'll happily charge a few K more!) Really good decision - Sean managed the whole process end to end, great communication & a quality job that looks great and delivers ample power. Much recommended to anyone taking their first step on the Solar journey.
Joe FletcherJoe Fletcher
17:36 04 Apr 23
Like most people I sat other fence for aged, I only wish I had jumped months ago. NXT GEN were by far te out competitive qoute that fulfilled my requirements.Sean arranged installation quickly without any hassle or pressure, the installation was done in one day by a very knowledgeable skilled team who just got on with installing the system.Totally happy with how it's been so far as it's only been 6 days sonce installation yet I've already seen substantial savings on electricity costs.My advice would be just give NXT GEN a call when seeking quotes.
Ronald WaggRonald Wagg
15:58 30 Mar 23
With the energy crisis starting to bite (autumn 2022). We did some research on the various options available we decided that we wanted to install solar panels to ease our energy bills. We obtained three quotes. Nxtgenenergy ticked all of the boxes as far as we were concerned and did happen to be the cheapest. We were helped all the way from quotation to the final installation by Stuart and Sean and at no time did we feel under any pressure. As the system was only installed two days ago we have yet to discover the full potential of the system, but we are encouraged by the performance seen so far. I will be honest and say that my prime concern is to save money, I am sure that my installation will not save the planet. From the projections given to me by Stuart I may be able to achieve a return on my investment of up to 10% per year compared to the small returns I could get if I kept my money invested elsewhere.I look forward to monitoring the system performance over the coming months / years.
Derek SouthgateDerek Southgate
20:26 23 Jan 23
Really positive experience with Nxtgen. In danger of becoming a solar power evangelist. We needed our roof replaced as well and they handled everything. New roof is first class and I can't stop looking at the app to see how much we are generating. Sean made the system selection clear. Already considering another battery!
Victor SimonisVictor Simonis
15:06 05 Sep 22
I dealt with Sean at NXTGen over a six month period due to a complicated installation. I only have praise for Sean who kept to his word throughout the entire job which is now running satisfactorily. I recommend this company amidst the many that are in the same business knowing you will be supported through the planning and installation stages.
Clive WestClive West
13:00 24 Aug 22
In looking to install solar and battery this year, Nxtgen were by far the most responsive and helpful company. They had a lot of options compared to other companies, which is good but worth swatting up before so you know whats, what. Ended up with a good sized system, inc battery storage, installed quickly at a good price that so far is working well. This is impressive as demand is so high for this at present, some companies wait lists are months and months!
Geoff DoggettGeoff Doggett
14:19 25 Jul 22
I had a solar installation planned and installed in March 2022. The quotation was accurate and understandable and so I went ahead. The installers were quick and did a good job including the electrical work and inverter/battery installation. The system has been working well according to the app I have. I wholeheaartedly reccommend Next Generation - they are experienced and their customer care is excellent. Good to know I am in safe hands in the future!
Rick ExtonRick Exton
10:23 25 Jul 22
Great system installed and working perfectly as expected. System design was changed at my request numerous times effortlessly. On day of install engineer suggested better location (loft) for inverter and battery pack meaning no unsightly cables were seen. Great customer service throughout. Getting MCS certification was a bit slow but not the fault of the company. I would definately recommend. Great company and top spec system at a good price.
Dawn MortonDawn Morton
09:17 22 Jul 22
From start to finish this company's professional standards were excellent. Once the acquisition of the materials had been confirmed, the installation and customer service was fantastic and would highly recommend.
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