GivEnergy Gen 3 5KW & 9.5kWh Battery

Full Installation Walkthrough

This installation in Stockton-on-Tees showcases the latest generation of GivEnergy technology, featuring their brand new Gen 3 platform that represents a significant step forward in residential solar and battery storage. The homeowner was looking for a reliable, well-supported system from a UK-based manufacturer and was particularly attracted to the GivEnergy ecosystem because of its excellent monitoring app and strong warranty support.

The site survey revealed a property with a large south-west facing roof that could comfortably accommodate the planned 14-panel array. The roof was a standard concrete interlocking tile in good condition, with no shading obstructions from trees, chimneys or neighbouring buildings. This is the kind of roof that solar installers dream about: a clear, unobstructed expanse with an orientation that delivers strong generation from late morning through the afternoon peak and into the early evening.

We specified 14 JA Solar 410W panels for this project, delivering a total array capacity of 5.74KW. JA Solar is one of the worlds largest panel manufacturers and their 410W modules offer an excellent balance of efficiency, reliability and value. These panels feature half-cut cell technology and a robust frame design that is well-suited to the variable weather conditions we experience in the North East.

The installation followed our standard methodology, beginning with full scaffold erection around the property. Our roof team installed the mounting system using stainless steel roof hooks positioned directly over the rafters, with each hook sealed using a purpose-designed flashing kit that maintains the weatherproof integrity of the roof at every fixing point. The aluminium mounting rails were levelled precisely before the 14 panels were lifted into position and secured with mid and end clamps.

The DC cabling from the panel array was routed through the loft space in protective conduit, entering the property through a weather-sealed roof tile vent. The cable run terminated at the location designated for the GivEnergy Gen 3 inverter in the garage, where our electricians had prepared the backboard and cable management infrastructure.

The GivEnergy Gen 3 5KW inverter is a impressive piece of technology. It is noticeably smaller and lighter than the previous Gen 2 model, yet delivers enhanced performance with a wider MPPT voltage range that allows it to generate from the panels for longer during low-light morning and evening periods. The integrated monitoring and communication system connects directly to the GivEnergy cloud platform without requiring any additional hardware, and the setup process is streamlined through the installer app.

Paired with the inverter, we installed a GivEnergy 9.5kWh battery. This is a substantial amount of storage that will allow the homeowner to capture virtually all of their surplus solar generation during the day and deploy it during the evening peak hours when electricity prices are highest. The battery features a ten-year warranty and is rated for thousands of charge-discharge cycles, ensuring long-term reliability.

The consumer unit integration was handled by our lead electrician, who installed the necessary MCBs and SPDs to protect the solar and battery circuits. A generation meter was fitted to record the solar output for Smart Export Guarantee payments, and the CT clamp was positioned on the grid supply cable to allow the GivEnergy system to monitor the whole-house energy flow in real time.

Commissioning the GivEnergy Gen 3 system was a smooth process thanks to the well-designed installer interface. We configured the inverter settings to prioritise self-consumption, meaning the system will first use solar generation to power the home, then charge the battery with any surplus, and only export to the grid as a last resort when the battery is completely full. We also set up a secondary charging window during the early hours of the morning so that the battery can top up from cheap overnight grid electricity on days when solar generation alone is not enough to fill it.

The homeowner was delighted with the clean, professional appearance of the installation and the intuitive GivEnergy monitoring app. They can see real-time data showing how much solar their panels are generating, how much the house is consuming, whether the battery is charging or discharging, and how much electricity is being imported from or exported to the grid. This level of visibility transforms how people think about their energy consumption and often leads to behavioural changes that further reduce bills.

The projected annual generation for this system is approximately 4,900kWh, and combined with the 9.5kWh battery, the homeowner can expect to self-consume around seventy percent of their solar generation rather than the typical thirty percent achievable without storage. At current electricity prices, this translates to annual savings of over one thousand pounds, delivering a payback period of approximately seven years on the total investment.