The choices you make about panels, inverters and batteries directly affect how much your system generates, how long it lasts, and how easy it is to live with.
Solar panels: the main types
Monocrystalline
Made from a single silicon crystal — uniform dark appearance and higher efficiency. Most UK panels in 2026 are monocrystalline. Modern panels hit 20–24% efficiency. The best choice for most residential and commercial roofs.
TOPCon and HJT
Newer architectures with even higher efficiencies — some exceed 24% — and lower degradation over time. Aiko (which we install) makes HJT panels with industry-leading figures. Small price premium, higher output per square metre.
Bifacial
Generate from both faces — the rear captures reflected light. Adds 5–20% output on commercial flat roofs with ballast mounting. Less beneficial on pitched domestic roofs. Trina (which we install) offers strong bifacial options.
Which panel brands does Alliant install?
| Brand | Type & key features |
|---|---|
| Aiko | HJT panels. Industry-leading efficiency (up to 24.5%). Lower degradation. Premium option. |
| Jinko | High-volume monocrystalline. Consistent quality, strong warranty, competitive price. |
| Trina | Monocrystalline and bifacial. Strong for commercial applications. Global reliability. |
| Enphase | Microinverter + panel bundles. AC modules with integrated microinverters. |
| Duracell | Trusted consumer brand entering solar. Mid-range mono panels with strong warranty. |
We match panel choice to your roof and budget — not whatever carries the highest margin.
Want a system designed around your roof?
We'll recommend the right panel, inverter and battery combination for your specific consumption and roof — and explain why.
Inverters: the brain of your system
String inverters
All panels connect in series to a single inverter. Cost-effective and reliable. Limitation: shading on one panel reduces the whole string. For unshaded roofs, usually the right choice. We install Solis, Solax and Fox.
Microinverters
Each panel has its own small inverter mounted on the back. Panels perform independently — shading on one doesn't drag the rest. Best for roofs with chimneys, dormers or trees. Enphase leads the market; we've seen 8–12% real-world generation gains vs equivalent string systems on shaded roofs.
Optimisers with hybrid inverter
A middle ground: panel-level DC optimisers feed into a standard string inverter. Reduces shading penalty without full microinverter cost. We use Tigo optimisers.
Battery storage: brands and what to look for
Key factors: usable capacity (kWh), power output (kW), inverter compatibility, warranty.
Tesla Powerwall
Powerwall 3 is a fully integrated 13.5 kWh battery with built-in inverter. Excellent for domestic installs where simplicity and Tesla-app integration matter. Backup-power capable, software-managed tariff optimisation. Premium product at a premium price.
GivEnergy
Modular batteries from 2.6 kWh to 19.2 kWh. Flexible, well-monitored, compatible with most inverter brands. Generally the best value mid-to-high capacity option. Strong app, EV-charging integration, time-of-use tariff management (great for Octopus Agile).
Puredrive
UK-designed, straightforward install profile, good warranty. Strong choice for lower-capacity domestic installs.
EV chargers: the third element
myenergi Zappi
UK market-leading solar diversion charger. Detects surplus solar and directs it to your car. Three modes: Eco, Eco+ (solar only) and Boost. Integrates with GivEnergy and most major solar systems.
Ohme and Hypervolt
Smart chargers with strong tariff management — particularly Octopus Agile and Intelligent Octopus. Ohme has the smoothest Octopus integration.
Tesla Wall Connector
For Tesla owners — integrates directly with the Tesla app and supports solar routing via Powerwall.
How to spec a complete system
- Assess your energy usage — annual consumption and daily pattern, plus EV or heat pump load.
- Assess your roof — orientation, pitch, shading, available area, roof condition.
- Design the panel layout — maximise output around chimneys, skylights and nearby buildings.
- Choose inverter type — string for unshaded; microinverters or optimisers for complex roofs.
- Size the battery — 5 kWh for most 2–3 person households; 10 kWh for larger households or EV owners.
- Model the financials — projected generation, self-consumption, SEG, payback against your current tariff.
