Quick answer
In short
Replacing a string inverter costs on average €700 to €2,000 including fitting. The unit itself costs €500 to €1,500, depending on power output and brand, and the certified replacement and connection €150 to €350. Micro-inverters are replaced individually, so reckon on €100 to €250 per panel plus labour.
Price guide
Fixed price upfront| String inverter, small system (up to 4 kW) | € 700 to € 1.100 |
| String inverter, average (4 to 6 kW) | € 900 to € 1.500 |
| String inverter, three-phase (6 kW and more) | € 1.300 to € 2.000 |
| Micro-inverter, per panel | € 100 to € 250 |
| Labour to replace and connect | € 150 to € 350 |
| Call-out charge (Noord-Brabant) | € 39 |
Indicative prices incl. VAT. You will always receive a tailored quote.
Prices by situation
Prices at a glance
Price by inverter type and power output
The power output (in kW), the brand and single or three-phase determine most of the price. These are guide prices for a string inverter including fitting, materials and connection to the NEN 1010 standard.
| Power output | Phase | Inverter (materials) | Labour | Total incl. fitting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 4 kW | single-phase | € 500 to € 800 | € 150 to € 300 | € 700 to € 1.100 |
| 4 to 6 kW | single-phase | € 700 to € 1.100 | € 200 to € 350 | € 900 to € 1.500 |
| 6 to 10 kW | three-phase | € 1.000 to € 1.500 | € 250 to € 350 | € 1.300 to € 2.000 |
| Hybrid inverter (battery-ready) | single or three-phase | € 1.200 to € 2.200 | € 250 to € 400 | € 1.500 to € 2.600 |
Guide prices incl. fitting. The VAT depends on your situation, see the section below. You always get a fixed price upfront based on your own installation.
Extra work and individual parts
Sometimes extra work comes up, for example because you are going from single to three-phase, the cabling is outdated, or you want good monitoring at the same time. These are the most common additional prices.
| Item | Guide price |
|---|---|
| Replace micro-inverter per panel | € 100 to € 250 each |
| Micro-inverters, labour per half-day | € 150 to € 300 |
| Upgrade to a three-phase inverter | € 200 to € 500 extra |
| Renew DC or AC cabling | € 100 to € 300 |
| Separate circuit or earth leakage protection in the meter cabinet | € 90 to € 200 |
| Link up monitoring or wifi module | € 0 to € 150 |
We always discuss extra work upfront. No surprises afterwards.
Price breakdown
What determines the price of a new inverter?
No two solar systems are the same. Together these points determine what replacing your inverter costs. That way you understand where your price comes from.
The power output of your installation
An inverter has to match the power output of your panels. More kilowatt-peak means a heavier inverter and therefore a higher materials share in the price.
String or micro-inverters
A single central string inverter is replaced in one go. Micro-inverters sit under each panel: you pay per unit, plus the labour to reach them beneath the panels.
Single-phase or three-phase
A three-phase inverter is built to a heavier specification and costs more. Useful if your system is larger or if you want to link up an EV charger or home battery later.
Brand and guarantee
Brands such as SMA, Fronius, SolarEdge, Huawei or GoodWe differ in price and warranty period. A longer manufacturer's warranty often costs a little more, but gives peace of mind.
Standard or hybrid inverter
If you want a home battery now or later, a hybrid inverter is sensible. It is more expensive, but saves you a second unit when the battery is added.
Location and access
If the inverter hangs conveniently by the meter cabinet or in the loft, the work is soon done. An awkward spot or new cabling costs more time and therefore more labour.
Worked examples
Worked examples from practice
To give a feel for the price, here are three situations of the kind we often come across in Brabant. You always get your price upfront, fixed and tailored.
Terraced house, single-phase string inverter
Ten panels on the roof, a good 4 kW, and the string inverter from 2013 is throwing error messages and barely produces anything. The residents want a reliable new unit of the same power output.
- String inverter 4 kW, single-phase€ 820
- Replace and connect (labour)€ 220
- Call-out charge€ 39
The existing cabling and circuit were in order, so no extra work. Job finished and tested in a few hours.
Semi-detached house, larger three-phase system
An extensive roof of almost 8 kW and an old single-phase inverter that has failed. The family is switching to three-phase, so there will also be room for an EV charger later.
- Three-phase inverter 8 kW€ 1.290
- Replace and connect (labour)€ 320
- Separate circuit and meter cabinet protection€ 140
- Call-out charge€ 39
For the heavier connection we looked at the meter cabinet straight away. See also our meter cabinet upgrade cost page.
Detached house, a few micro-inverters
A system with micro-inverters under each panel. Three are faulty, the rest work fine. Only the broken units need replacing.
- Three micro-inverters€ 480
- Remove, replace and test (labour)€ 250
- Call-out charge€ 39
With micro-inverters you only replace what is broken. A bit more labour, though, because we have to detach panels to reach them.
Good to know
Good to know about your inverter
Replacing an inverter is normal maintenance, not a luxury. This will help you understand why it is due for replacement and which choice suits you.
Why does the inverter fail sooner than the panels?
The inverter is the heart of your solar system. It converts the direct current (DC) that your panels generate into alternating current (AC), so your home and the grid can use it. That conversion is done by electronics that run warm day in, day out, and those wear out faster than the panels themselves.
Solar panels often last 25 years or more, an inverter on average 10 to 15 years. So replacing it once during the life of your installation is entirely normal. Signs that the time has come: error messages on the display or in the app, little to no yield, dropouts on sunny days, or a model that is out of production and for which no parts are available any more.
String inverter or micro-inverters?
With a string inverter all your panels hang off one central unit, usually by the meter cabinet or in the loft. If it fails, your whole yield stops, but you replace one unit in one go: straightforward and usually the best value.
With micro-inverters each panel has its own little box that does the conversion there. If one fails, the others keep on producing and you only replace that single unit. Optimisers look similar, but work together with one central inverter: if that central inverter fails, everything stops, just as with a string inverter. The downside of boxes under the panels: for a fault we have to detach panels to reach them, so the labour per unit is higher. You can usually see which system you have in your monitoring app or on the inverter itself.
Do you choose battery-ready straight away?
If you are thinking about a home battery, now or in a few years, this is the moment to choose a hybrid inverter. It can handle both your panels and a battery, so you will not have to fit yet another unit later.
A hybrid inverter is more expensive to buy. If you are sure a battery will not come, then a standard (string) inverter is fine and keeps the costs down. We advise honestly on what suits your plans.
VAT: 0% or 21%?
The VAT on an inverter depends on your situation, and this is more nuanced than with other electrical work. Since 2023 the 0% rate often applies to solar panels and the associated components at a home. If the inverter is replaced as part of (the maintenance of) your solar panel installation on or at a home, that 0% rate may apply.
If the inverter is supplied and fitted as a standalone replacement, the normal rate of 21% may apply. The difference can be considerable, so we always state the rate clearly on your quote. For the exact tax nuance in your case we refer you to the Belastingdienst or your accountant: we do not determine your tax position, we ensure a correct, certified installation.
Our quote always states a fixed price with the applicable VAT rate: materials, labour and call-out charge together. No after-the-fact billing, no surprises.
Smart savings
Smart ways to save on a new inverter
Without compromising on safety or quality, there are a few sensible ways to manage the costs.
Choose the right power output, not too large
An inverter only needs to match your roof. A needlessly heavy model costs more without producing more yield. We simply work out the right power output for you.
Combine with a battery or EV charger
If you are toying with the idea of a home battery or EV charger, let the work coincide sensibly. One journey and choosing the right (hybrid) inverter straight away saves double work later.
Do not wait until everything stops
If you see error messages or your yield is dropping, plan the replacement in good time. A planned job is better value than an emergency, and in the meantime you do not miss any solar yield.
Related
Handy to look at as well
These pages tie in with replacing your inverter.
Inverter replacement
Everything about the service itself: when it is needed, how we tackle it and the guarantee.
More infoSolar panel connection costs
What does connecting solar panels to your meter cabinet cost, including the inverter?
More infoHome battery costs
Considering a battery? See the costs and the role of a hybrid inverter.
More infoElectrician costs
Hourly rate, call-out charge and rates of a certified electrician.
More infoWhy Brabant Elektra
Certified, insured and guaranteed
All our engineers are qualified and work to the NEN 1010 standard. We give a 2-year guarantee on all our work. Reliable work you can count on.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the price
Service area
Inverter replacement in Noord-Brabant
We replace inverters across the whole of Noord-Brabant, from Eindhoven to Breda and from Den Bosch to Tilburg. The call-out charge within the region is a fixed amount, so you never face a travel-surcharge surprise.
If you go from single to three-phase, for example because your system is growing or you want an EV charger, then a change in the meter cabinet or an application to grid operator Enexis is sometimes needed. We know the procedure and the waiting times in the region, and arrange that with you.
Service area
Across Noord-Brabant
From major cities to smaller towns, active in:
Have your inverter replaced at a fixed price?
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