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My Components

In-depth reviews and performance insights from the actual components in my solar setup.

My Components

Fox ESS vs Sunsynk inverter: choose the battery architecture first: Fox is high-voltage and Sunsynk is a 48V platform.
Both exact inverters are 5kW, two-MPPT hybrids: their battery voltage, PV limits and system routes are different.
EPS is not whole-house backup: backed-up circuits, battery reserve, changeover and earthing decide what works in a cut.
G99 and export evidence are exact-model checks: confirm the unit suffix and DNO design through Connect Direct.
A good quote names the complete system: get the inverter, battery, BMS, backup equipment and warranty route in writing.

My Components

Sunsynk vs GivEnergy inverter: for a new installation, choose Sunsynk because GivEnergy Ltd will not honour further hardware warranties.
GivEnergy Software Ltd remains separate: it operates software services but does not provide hardware support or a manufacturer warranty.
Both exact models are 5kW low-voltage hybrids: the Sunsynk has the higher published backup output, but support continuity is the decisive difference.
Existing owners should not panic-replace working equipment: preserve records, test local control and establish the installer support route.
A written support commitment matters more than an old-stock discount: ask who covers diagnosis, labour and replacement equipment before paying.

My Components

The Sunsynk 5kW ECCO and Deye 5kW run the same firmware platform: identical battery limits, grid-protection trips and even the engineer passwords match.
Only about five controls genuinely differ, including a day-of-week time-of-use schedule and split import and export limits on the Deye that the Sunsynk manual does not show.
Most of what looks different is menu layout: Deye puts advanced settings on one page, Sunsynk spreads them across tabs.
The badge changes the labels and who ships your firmware, not what the box can do: if you own one, the other would not give you a missing feature.
The 3.6kW, 5kW and 8kW models share the same controls: only the battery current, rated output and solar input scale with size, and they match between the two brands.

My Components

Deye vs Sunsynk: one OEM platform, two buying risks: in November 2024 Deye remotely locked out units sold into UK territory.
Match the full model number, not the badge: a Sunsynk SYNK-5K-SG04LP1 and a Deye SUN-5K-SG03LP1-EU are closely related 5kW hybrids, not proven to be the same board revision.
Where you buy changes the decision: UK weight is listing and who answers the phone; in South Africa both badges are normal retail, so local stock and warranty matter more than “import vs brand”.
In November 2024 some Deye-branded units were remotely locked out in exclusive-territory disputes, with on-screen guidance that named Sunsynk for the UK. Channel legitimacy is not theoretical.
The stock cloud app is weak for both badges. For real monitoring and control, run Solar Assistant locally rather than trusting manufacturer WiFi alone.
In the UK I default to Sunsynk for the support channel; I only take a Deye when it is meaningfully cheaper and the seller documents firmware, listing, warranty and channel in writing.

My Components

Fogstar vs GivEnergy battery: Fogstar is the safer new DIY buy: GivEnergy Ltd is in administration and its administrator says further hardware warranties and support will not be honoured.
These are different battery types: Fogstar is a 15.36kWh modular rack needing a compatible inverter; the GivEnergy All in One is a 13.5kWh AC-coupled unit.
Fogstar was listed at £2,499.99 ex VAT, hardware-only, at the time of writing: but the inverter, installation, VAT and associated equipment still need pricing separately.
The GivEnergy All in One only makes sense with a written third-party remedy: identifying who will provide warranty, repairs, support and spare parts.

My Components

Tesla Powerwall vs GivEnergy All-in-One: Powerwall 3 is the supported premium choice for a new purchase, while the administrator says GivEnergy Ltd will not honour further hardware warranties, user support or software support.
Both store 13.5 kWh: Powerwall 3 includes a solar inverter and can be configured up to 11.04 kW AC; the GivEnergy AIO is a 6 kW AC-coupled battery.
Administration changes the decision: residual GivEnergy stock needs a written remedy covering warranty, repairs, support, firmware and spare parts.
A hardware price is not an installed quote: compare Gateway, backup equipment, VAT, delivery, labour and DNO work before choosing on price.

My Components

Solis vs Sunsynk hybrid inverter: Sunsynk is the clearer DIY choice when you want known UK retail stock, a published price and a 48V battery specification.
Sunsynk has the easier buying route: the 5kW ECCO was shown in UK retail stock, while Solis S6 buying is usually through an installer or distributor.
Do not assume Solis battery compatibility: confirm the exact S6 suffix, battery datasheet and approved pairing before ordering any equipment.
G98 or G99 approval is model-specific: check the exact inverter suffix on the current list before your DNO application or notification.

My Components

Buy decision page: Tigo vs SolarEdge vs microinverters for UK quotes and retrofits.
Pick by ecosystem: retrofit = Tigo, new SolarEdge stack = SolarEdge, complex new roof = microinverter quotes.
On clean unshaded roofs, skip optimisers and spend the money on panels or a battery.
Physics companion: when power optimisers help.

My Components

~10% capacity loss after 3 years and 600 cycles. Well within the 4,000-cycle warranty. At this rate, 80%+ capacity at the 10-year mark.
You can add a pack later, even at different cycle count. The BMS recalibrates. I did it, and the readings have since converged.
How I charge: Octopus Go + Solar Assistant automation. Saves £1,668/year. The setup details are in this article.
Honest drawbacks included. Winter balancing drift, BMS firmware update, and how the fix works.

My Components

Sunsynk 3.6 ECCO review: best DIY hybrid I have used for G98 – 3.6kW AC, dual MPPT, battery-ready, ENA listed. Around £700-£800.
Owner since May 2023: two strings + Fogstar battery + Solar Assistant; still on the wall three years later.
Generator port proof: I have processed 6.3kW of solar at once by combining both PV strings with an extra inverter on the generator port.
Dealbreakers: 5-minute app refresh, CT clamp beyond ~15m, parallel battery SOC quirks. See also Sunsynk vs Deye.