Planning solar installations, hybrid systems and battery storage

SGENERGY helps you select equipment for a new solar installation or an upgrade to an existing system. We help choose solar panels, inverters, batteries, EV charging equipment and accessories for your home or business. Installation requirements and any work must be agreed separately with qualified specialists.

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Upgrade an existing solar installation

Equipment for new installations and upgrades

  • New solar installations. Equipment selection for PV panels, an inverter and the components required for connection and commissioning by qualified specialists.
  • Upgrading an existing installation to a hybrid system. Inverter and battery selection, including checks on whether existing PV panels and connections can be reused.
  • Battery storage equipment. Selection of compatible batteries, a BMS controller and mounting components. Connection and commissioning must follow the manufacturer’s requirements.
  • Backup power. Assessing essential circuits and the equipment needed to supply them during a grid outage, where the system supports this function.
  • EV charging equipment. Charging station selection. Dynamic load management options depend on the electrical supply and charging station.

Upgrading a conventional solar installation to a hybrid system

Already have solar panels and a conventional grid-tied inverter? You may not need to replace the panels. Start by assessing the inverter model, PV strings, electrical supply, distribution board and consumption. The appropriate upgrade depends on these details.

  • Replacing a grid-tied inverter with a hybrid inverter. A compatible battery can then be connected. Before reusing existing panels, their string voltage and current must be checked against the new inverter’s limits.
  • Keeping the existing inverter. Where the equipment and connection design allow, storage can be integrated on the AC side. This may allow existing PV equipment to be retained. Compatibility and operation during a grid outage must be checked separately.
  • Adding a battery to a compatible inverter. If the existing model supports batteries, select a battery approved by the manufacturer and the required accessories. Not every grid-tied inverter supports this.

A hybrid system can help you use more solar electricity on site and shift its use to the evening. Connecting a battery alone does not mean the whole house will be powered during an outage.

What should you consider when choosing a battery?

  • Capacity and power. kWh describes the amount of energy stored, while kW describes charging or output power. Battery selection should consider consumption, particularly in the evening and at night, and the appliances you plan to use.
  • Compatibility. Check the inverter’s supported battery voltage, BMS communication, manufacturer compatibility list and permitted module count. High-voltage and low-voltage batteries are not interchangeable.
  • Installation location. Check the manufacturer’s temperature and protection requirements, site conditions, supporting structure and access to the equipment.
  • Backup power. Consider which appliances need backup, their starting currents, the inverter’s backup output and the battery reserve. Runtime depends on the state of charge and connected load.

Energy management matched to your consumption

Compatible systems can be configured for solar self-consumption, battery charging and backup reserve. With a variable-price electricity tariff, charging and discharging schedules may be worth assessing. Suitability depends on inverter functions, the tariff, losses and battery use. The same savings cannot be promised for every property.

Heat pumps, EVs and other large loads must be considered alongside the electrical supply capacity. A larger battery does not itself increase the supply capacity or the permitted export power.

How to plan your project

  • 1. Discuss your requirements. Tell us whether you are planning a new solar installation, battery storage or an upgrade to an existing system.
  • 2. Assess the site and compatibility. Identify the existing equipment, electrical supply, distribution board and proposed installation location.
  • 3. Select equipment and request a quote. Agree the equipment configuration, backup requirements and price. Any installation work must be specified and agreed separately.
  • 4. Installation and commissioning. Qualified specialists must connect the equipment, configure its controls and check the intended operating modes in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements.
  • 5. Operation and documentation. Review the operating instructions, monitoring and battery reserve settings. Confirm which commissioning and handover documents your project requires and who will prepare them.

ESO requirements and financial support

Before replacing an inverter, adding storage or increasing power, check the applicable ESO connection procedure. Permitted import and export limits must be respected. The documents required depend on the specific change. Current information is available in the ESO battery storage section.

If you intend to apply for financial support, check the current APVIS call for applications and APVA conditions. Calls, deadlines and eligibility requirements change. Upgrading an existing installation, previous support and a new installation may be assessed differently. Funding is not automatic.

What information should you send for a quote?

Send the site location, existing solar installation capacity, inverter model and electrical supply capacity. Include photographs of the inverter and distribution board, approximate electricity consumption and whether you need backup power. If you do not yet have a solar installation, describe your requirements and the intended installation location.

Contact SGENERGY about equipment selection or a system upgrade. Browse equipment in our store: solar panels, inverters, battery storage and EV equipment.