Back in 2010 when we first started doing solar installs, systems had inverters which only managed the solar generation. They were simple devices which did a great job and many of these are still functioning today. Over the years, additional technologies have been developed to help improve self-consumption, all of which can be retrofitted alongside an existing PV system.
We supply and install electric vehicle charging points, both tethered and untethered, for domestic and commercial environments. A good charging unit will optimise self-consumption by working with microgeneration such as solar PV and can be set to charge from the grid or directly from solar at different rates.
Chargers can be installed indoors or outdoors, supplied with or without a charging cable, installed on single or three-phase supplies, and protected with anti-tamper devices and security PINs. App control is available where Wi-Fi is connected. We particularly recommend the MyEnergi Zappi, which is user-friendly, competitively priced, comes with a 3-year warranty and integrates seamlessly with other MyEnergi devices. Installed from around £1,150.
Power diverters further increase self-consumption by directing excess generation to loads such as an immersion heater or oil-filled radiator. They can be set to operate only using electricity generated on site, meaning no additional running costs. Even during winter months, a diverter can add heat to the hot water cylinder, while in summer many customers find they can switch off their gas boilers entirely.
We recommend the MyEnergi Eddi, which comes with a 3-year warranty and integrates with other MyEnergi devices. Installed from around £550.
If you have a simple string inverter, battery storage can easily be added using an AC charger inverter and batteries. An AC charger inverter runs alongside your existing inverter, detects when surplus electricity is available and stores it into batteries.
Most of the systems we now fit use hybrid inverters that manage both the panels and the batteries simultaneously. Batteries are available in many sizes, but an average household would typically benefit from between 5–10kWh of storage. A good indicator of suitability is how much electricity you export each year, as this could instead be stored and used later.
AC charger battery systems are available from around £3,600.
If your panels are affected by shading from trees or nearby buildings, optimisers can significantly improve performance. When shading affects one panel, it can reduce the output of the entire string. Optimisers fitted to each module reduce this effect and allow the rest of the system to continue generating.
We use Tigo Energy TS4-0 optimisers, which also allow individual panel monitoring via an app and gateway, making it easy to identify faults. Costs for a 12-module system with gateway start from around £650.
Panel cleaning and servicing is also important, as dirt, mould, debris, lichen, traffic fumes and nearby construction can all reduce output. Panels typically benefit from cleaning every 1–5 years. Electrical checks can confirm correct operation and identify issues such as vermin damage or component degradation. This service is especially recommended if you have purchased a property with an existing system. Cleaning and servicing costs start from £150, depending on system size and location.
During a power cut, standard PV systems shut down for safety reasons. However, Power Outage Provision can be installed to allow the system to continue generating, charging batteries and supplying power to a dedicated socket outlet. This allows essential appliances such as freezers or heaters to operate during an outage, with batteries topped up by the PV system where conditions allow. Costs start from £350, depending on system size and location.
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Maximising self-consumption means using as much of the electricity generated by your solar PV system as possible within your property, rather than exporting it back to the grid.
Yes. Battery storage can be retrofitted to most existing solar PV systems using an AC charger inverter and batteries, even if your current inverter only manages solar generation.
A good indicator is how much electricity you export to the grid each year. If you are exporting a significant amount, battery storage could allow you to store and use that energy instead.
Most households benefit from between 5–10kWh of battery storage, although the ideal size depends on your energy usage and generation levels.
Yes. Smart EV chargers can be set to use excess solar generation to charge your vehicle, helping you make better use of the electricity you generate on site.
A power diverter detects when surplus electricity is available and redirects it to a designated load, such as an immersion heater or electric radiator, instead of exporting it to the grid.
Yes. Even in winter months, power diverters can contribute some heat to a hot water cylinder, although output will depend on solar generation levels.
Optimisers are fitted to individual solar panels and help reduce the impact of shading. They are particularly useful where panels are affected by trees or nearby buildings.
Yes. Dirt, debris, mould, lichen, and environmental factors can reduce panel performance. Cleaning is typically recommended every 1–5 years, along with electrical checks to ensure the system is functioning correctly.
Standard solar PV systems shut down during a power cut for safety reasons. However, Power Outage Provision can be installed to allow limited power supply from batteries to essential appliances during an outage.
