Advice on New Battery & PV with Existing PV

I currently have 3.6kW on panels on the original FiT with of course an existing DC>AC inverter and meter. This all works well so I am happy to leave this alone rather than risk the tariff payments.

I am looking to add additional 6 panels (2.4kW (max roof space allows) on a smaller roof space plus a GE 9.5kW battery plus automatic backup switchover (we get regular power cuts).

I of course wish to charge the battery from both the existing and new panels.

My question, which is the better approach for the new inverter?
Option 1. GE Hybrid 2 3.6kW (can this supply excess AC from the existing panels to the battery?)
Option2. A separate inverter (probably Solaris) plus a GE AC 3.0 to connect to the battery

I expect Hybrid is the better approach due to less conversion loss from the new panels to the battery and the ability to keep the new panels running during a power cut. So the key question is can the Hybrid send excess AC from the existing panels as well as the new panels

Thank you in advance for your time/feedback.

sdavies020 I’m sure someone with far more knowledge than me can give you the definitive answer, but your situation sounds very like mine.
I have 2.3kw of panels fitted in 2013 with a quite generous FIT, which I obviously didn’t want to lose.
Earlier this year I had an 8.2kw battery fitted, with a AC Coupled Inverter.
I then added another 2.3kw of panels on the garage roof, with 2kw Solis inverter. All panels can supply the house, and charge the battery, and I kept the FIT payments, so it’s a win, win!

sdavies020 During a power cut, I presume your FIT plant goes off-line, whatever the state of the PV. With a Givenergy hybrid, it will continue to operate, charging the battery (if PV is available) and feeding the EPS circuit from PV and/or battery, up to the limit of 2.5kW(?). To control the new hybrid inverter to soak up all excess FIT-generated AC you would need to have some form of home automation (Home Assistant or bespoke Node-RED etc) as (I think) you would have to change its operating mode to timed charge and set the charge rate to match the FIT-plant excess output. This could be quite hard to control with clouds moving across the sky or appliances switching on and off. Nevertheless, it could be done.

I think the AC coupled would be easier to control as it's a built-in feature, but would increase your costs since you'd also need another inverter for your PV. However, you would also have the option of a backup power supply during grid interruption, but only from battery (assuming a new Solaris inverter would also disconnect during a power cut).

I think it boils down to whether you have the interest to plump for the home automation route or the cash to go the multi-inverter route.

sdavies020 option 1 won't soak up excess from your existing system. To do this, you need option 2. Option 2 will charge batteries from the new PV in a power cut.

Neither option will give you full switch over though. The export in the event of a powercut is 13A so a single power socket. Or isolate a circuit under 13a to keep that going.