The Brands We Install and Trust
D&R Energy only installs proven, tier-1 equipment from the world's leading solar, battery, inverter, and EV charger manufacturers. Every brand we carry has been selected for reliability, performance, and value.
MCS Certified
Microgeneration Certification Scheme
NAPIT Registered
National Association of Professional Inspectors
RECC Member
Renewable Energy Consumer Code
Why Brand Selection Matters
Your solar panel system is a 25+ year investment, and the equipment you choose directly determines how much electricity it generates, how reliable it is over its lifetime, and how well it retains its performance year after year. Not all solar panels, inverters, and batteries are created equal. The market includes everything from budget components with questionable longevity to proven, bankable products from established manufacturers with decades of track record.
D&R Energy has carefully selected a portfolio of brands that we trust to deliver outstanding performance in UK conditions, backed by robust manufacturer warranties and reliable after-sales support. Every product we install is from a tier-1 manufacturer, meaning it has been assessed by independent financial and technical analysts as a low-risk, high-quality product. We do not install cheap, unproven equipment, and we do not cut corners on components. Below is a detailed profile of each brand we install and why we chose them.
Solar Panels
We install two leading panel brands, both recognised globally for efficiency, reliability, and performance in all weather conditions.
Jinko Solar
World's Largest Solar Panel Manufacturer
Jinko Solar is the world's largest solar panel manufacturer by shipment volume, having delivered over 200 GW of solar modules worldwide since its founding in 2006. Headquartered in Shanghai, China, Jinko operates manufacturing facilities across China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the United States, with a research and development capability that consistently pushes the boundaries of solar cell efficiency.
Jinko's panels feature N-type TOPCon cell technology, which delivers higher efficiency ratings (up to 22-23%) compared to older PERC technology. This means more electricity from the same roof area, which is particularly valuable for UK homes where roof space may be limited. Jinko panels also perform exceptionally well in low-light conditions, which is an important consideration for the UK climate where overcast days are common.
Jinko Solar has consistently been ranked as a Tier 1 solar module manufacturer by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), the industry's most respected independent ranking. They offer a 25-year product warranty and a 30-year performance guarantee, ensuring your panels maintain at least 87.4% of their rated output after three decades. Their financial stability and global scale mean you can be confident the company will be around to honour its warranties for the full term.
Exiom
European Quality Solar Manufacturer
Exiom is a European solar panel manufacturer that has built a strong reputation for quality and reliability in the UK and European markets. As a European producer, Exiom offers shorter supply chains, tighter quality control, and panels specifically designed and tested for European climate conditions, including the UK's combination of moderate temperatures and variable cloud cover.
Exiom panels are manufactured to rigorous European quality standards and carry full MCS approval for UK installations. They offer excellent performance in real-world UK conditions, with high efficiency ratings and strong low-light performance. The panels feature robust frames and high-quality glass designed to withstand the wind, rain, and occasional snow that UK rooftops experience throughout the year.
D&R Energy offers Exiom as an alternative to Jinko Solar, giving our customers a choice between the world's largest manufacturer and a quality European brand. Both deliver outstanding performance and reliability, and our team will recommend the best option for your specific installation based on your roof configuration, budget, and aesthetic preferences.
Aiko Solar
All-Back-Contact (ABC) Technology
Aiko Solar is one of the most technically advanced solar panel manufacturers in the world, specialising exclusively in all-back-contact (ABC) cell technology. Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Guangzhou, China, Aiko has invested heavily in a single proprietary cell architecture that delivers the highest commercially available panel efficiencies — up to 23.6% per cell and over 24% at the module level on their flagship products.
The key distinction of Aiko's ABC technology is that all electrical contacts — both positive and negative — are positioned on the rear of the cell, with nothing crossing the light-absorbing front surface. This eliminates the shading losses caused by the silver busbars visible on conventional panels, allowing more sunlight to be converted into electricity. The result is a panel that generates more power per square metre than any standard monocrystalline or TOPCon module — making Aiko the ideal choice for homes where roof space is limited or where maximum output per panel is the priority.
ABC technology also benefits from a lower temperature coefficient, meaning Aiko panels lose less efficiency on hot summer days compared to conventional alternatives — a useful characteristic in the South West's warmer microclimate. The rear-contact design also gives Aiko panels a cleaner aesthetic with no visible grid lines on the front face. Aiko offers a 30-year performance warranty and carries full Tier 1 certification, making it the premium upgrade option for customers who want the absolute best.
Inverters
The inverter is the brain of your solar system, converting DC electricity from your panels into AC power for your home.
Growatt
Cost-Effective Hybrid Inverters
Growatt is one of the world's top 10 inverter manufacturers, producing over 600,000 units annually and serving customers in more than 150 countries. Founded in 2010, Growatt has rapidly grown to become a trusted name in the solar industry, known for producing reliable, feature-rich inverters at competitive price points that make solar energy accessible to more homeowners.
D&R Energy installs Growatt hybrid inverters, which combine solar PV management and battery charging in a single unit. This hybrid design simplifies the installation, reduces the number of components on your wall, and ensures seamless communication between your solar panels and battery storage. Growatt inverters feature built-in Wi-Fi monitoring, allowing you to track your system's performance in real-time through the Growatt ShinePhone app on your smartphone.
Growatt hybrid inverters support multiple operating modes including self-consumption priority, battery-first charging, grid export management, and time-of-use tariff optimisation. This flexibility means your system can be configured to maximise your savings based on your specific energy tariff and consumption patterns. Growatt inverters come with a 10-year manufacturer warranty and are fully MCS approved for UK installations.
FoxESS
High-Efficiency Hybrid Inverters — FoxESS Cube Compatible
FoxESS is a global inverter and energy storage manufacturer founded in 2012 and headquartered in Jiangsu, China, with a dedicated UK office and support network. The company has rapidly grown into one of the most respected names in hybrid solar inverters, combining high-efficiency power conversion with sophisticated energy management software that is designed to work seamlessly with FoxESS battery storage products.
D&R Energy installs FoxESS hybrid inverters as the native inverter solution for the FoxESS Cube modular battery stack system. FoxESS hybrid inverters achieve up to 98.3% conversion efficiency — among the highest available in the UK market — and support full whole-home backup, meaning the entire house can switch to battery power automatically during a grid outage. The inverter communicates natively with the FoxESS Cube battery modules over a dedicated BMS bus, enabling precise state-of-charge management and faster response times than third-party AC-coupled alternatives.
FoxESS inverters are monitored through the Fox Cloud app, which provides real-time energy flow data, historical generation reports, and remote system management. Smart tariff integration supports Octopus Agile, Intelligent Octopus, and other time-of-use tariffs, allowing the system to automatically charge from cheap overnight rates and discharge during expensive peak periods. FoxESS inverters come with a 10-year manufacturer warranty and are fully MCS approved for UK installations.
Battery Storage
Battery storage transforms your solar investment. We install three industry-leading battery systems to suit every need and budget.
FoxESS Cube
Modular Battery Storage — Scalable from 2.56kWh to 25.6kWh
The FoxESS Cube is a modular, stackable battery storage system that D&R Energy installs as our primary residential battery solution. Built around 2.56kWh modules that physically click together into a single floor-standing stack, the Cube can be configured from a compact starter unit up to a 25.6kWh whole-home storage system — without any rewiring when you add capacity later.
The Cube integrates natively with FoxESS hybrid inverters, creating a fully matched solar and storage system with seamless communication between panels, inverter, and battery. LFP (lithium iron phosphate) chemistry delivers superior safety and cycle life compared to older NMC chemistries, and the system is IP65 rated for both indoor and outdoor installation. Smart tariff support for Octopus Agile, Intelligent Octopus, and Octopus Flux is built in.
The FoxESS app provides real-time monitoring of solar generation, battery state of charge, home consumption, and grid import/export. Remote scheduling allows automatic overnight charging on cheap-rate tariffs and peak-period discharge to maximise your savings every day. Each Cube module carries a 10-year manufacturer warranty with guaranteed minimum 80% capacity retention.
Tesla Powerwall
Premium Whole-Home Backup Battery
Tesla Powerwall is the world's most recognised home battery product, manufactured by Tesla Energy. The Powerwall has set the standard for residential battery storage since its launch and continues to be the premium choice for homeowners who want the best technology, seamless whole-home backup power, and the prestige of the Tesla brand.
The Tesla Powerwall offers 13.5kWh of usable capacity in a single, sleek unit that can be wall-mounted indoors or outdoors. One of its key advantages is its built-in inverter, which means it can be added to any existing solar system without replacing the current inverter. This makes the Powerwall an excellent retrofit option for homeowners who already have solar panels and want to add battery storage.
The Powerwall's standout feature is its whole-home backup capability. When the grid goes down, the Powerwall automatically and seamlessly switches your entire home to battery power, keeping everything running from lights and appliances to your internet router and security systems. The Tesla app provides elegant monitoring and control, including Storm Watch mode that automatically charges the battery to full capacity when severe weather is forecast, and detailed energy flow visualisations that show exactly where every watt is going. Tesla Powerwall comes with a 10-year warranty guaranteeing at least 70% capacity retention.
FoxESS Cube
Modular Stack Battery — Build from 2.56kWh to 25.6kWh
The FoxESS Cube is a next-generation modular battery storage system designed around a stackable architecture that allows homeowners to start small and expand their storage capacity at any time. Each Cube module stores 2.56kWh of usable energy, and up to ten modules can be stacked together in a single floor-standing unit, creating a system ranging from 2.56kWh for a modest retrofit up to 25.6kWh for a property with high energy demand or a desire for maximum grid independence.
The physical stacking design is a genuine differentiator in the UK battery market. Rather than buying a fixed-capacity battery and replacing it when your needs grow, the FoxESS Cube is inherently scalable: additional modules click into the stack during the original installation or years later, with no rewiring required. This makes the Cube particularly attractive for homeowners who want to phase their investment — starting with two or three modules and adding more as EV adoption, heat pump installation, or rising energy prices make increased storage worthwhile.
The FoxESS Cube uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry for safety and longevity, is IP65 rated for both indoor and outdoor installation, and integrates natively with FoxESS hybrid inverters for seamless communication and maximum efficiency. The system supports whole-home backup, smart tariff charging including Octopus Agile and Intelligent Octopus, and is monitored through the Fox Cloud app. Each Cube module carries a 10-year manufacturer warranty with guaranteed minimum 80% capacity retention — the same benchmark as premium fixed-capacity competitors, but with the added advantage of scalability.
EV Chargers
Complete your home energy system with a solar-integrated electric vehicle charger.
Zappi by myenergi
Solar-Integrated Smart EV Charging
The Zappi is manufactured by myenergi, a British company based in Lincolnshire that has become the UK market leader in solar-compatible EV chargers. The Zappi is the only widely available EV charger in the UK that is specifically designed to integrate with domestic solar PV systems and battery storage, making it the natural choice for homeowners who want to charge their electric vehicle using free solar energy.
The Zappi offers three distinct charging modes. ECO mode charges your EV only when surplus solar electricity is available, using energy that would otherwise be exported to the grid. ECO+ mode waits for a minimum surplus threshold before starting to charge, ensuring your home appliances are powered first. FAST mode draws the maximum 7kW from the grid when you need rapid charging regardless of solar availability. This flexibility means you can always choose the most cost-effective or most convenient charging strategy.
The myenergi app provides full remote control and monitoring of your Zappi, including scheduling, energy usage tracking, and integration with smart tariffs like Octopus Go and Intelligent Octopus. When combined with solar panels and battery storage from D&R Energy, the Zappi completes a fully integrated home energy system that can power your home, store energy, and fuel your car using clean, free solar electricity. Visit our EV charger installation page for full details on Zappi installation and pricing.
Why D&R Energy Chose These Brands
Every brand in our portfolio has been chosen through a rigorous evaluation process that considers performance data, warranty terms, manufacturer financial stability, UK-specific suitability, customer feedback, and long-term reliability. We do not install the cheapest equipment available and we do not chase short-term margins by switching to unproven brands. Our reputation depends on every system performing flawlessly for decades.
Our panel range — Jinko Solar, Exiom, and Aiko Solar — gives customers a choice across value, quality-European, and cutting-edge ABC technology. FoxESS and Growatt provide proven, cost-effective hybrid inverter solutions. The FoxESS Cube and Tesla Powerwall cover the full spectrum of battery storage needs. And myenergi's Zappi is simply the best solar-integrated EV charger available in the UK market.
Proven Track Record
Every brand we install has a multi-year track record of reliable performance in UK installations. We monitor the real-world performance of every system we install and only continue working with brands that consistently deliver.
Strong Warranties
All our equipment comes with comprehensive manufacturer warranties of 10-30 years. We only partner with financially stable manufacturers who will be around to honour their warranties for the full term.
UK Suitability
Our brands are tested and proven in UK conditions including low-light performance, temperature coefficients appropriate for our climate, and compatibility with UK grid standards and energy tariffs.
Excellent After-Sales
Every brand in our portfolio has responsive UK-based or UK-accessible technical support. If an issue ever arises, we can work directly with the manufacturer to resolve it quickly for our customers.
Brand Installations Across the South West
D&R Energy installs Aiko Solar, Jinko Solar, Exiom, FoxESS, Growatt, Tesla Powerwall, FoxESS Cube, and Zappi systems across Bristol, North Somerset, and the wider South West. Explore our local service areas below.
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Battery Storage
Store solar energy for evenings and power cuts.
Smart Export Guarantee
Earn money from surplus electricity exported to the grid.
Residential Solar
Solar panels for homes across Bristol and the South West.
EV Charger Installation
Charge your car on free solar electricity with Zappi.
