Can You Expand an Existing Solar System by Adding More Panels?
What You Need to Know About Increasing Solar Panel System Capacity
Can you expand an existing solar system by adding more panels? Our customers love their solar energy systems and often ask us this question when their household’s needs change. Could this be your solution to avoiding the continually rising cost of grid-produced power?
Best reasons to add panels to older solar systems:
· Growing family
· Working from home or retired
· New electric vehicle
· Heat pump addition
Essential solar panel system upgrade considerations:
· Available space for solar panels
· How your existing inverter will impact expansion
· Home electrical panel capacity
· Permit, utility interconnection, and net metering amendments
Can You Expand an Existing Solar System by Adding More Panels?
Rest assured, most customers can successfully upgrade their home solar energy systems in East Washington. However, this process involves more than adding a few more panels to your solar array. Careful consideration ensures a wise investment.
When is it Worth it to Add More Solar Panels?
Not every solar energy deficiency requires a solar panel system expansion. Small differences may be managed by replacing older panels with higher-output models, boosting battery storage, or improving home energy efficiency.
However, the following energy-intensive household changes may warrant a solar energy system upgrade:
· Growing family
· Working from home or retired
· New electric vehicle
· Heat pump addition
What’s Necessary to Expand Your Solar Array?
The complexity and cost of expanding your home solar energy system depends on the following factors:
Available ground or roof space
Your available real estate will limit your maximum solar energy upgrade capacity.
Existing inverter
· String inverters convert DC power from all your solar panels into AC for your home. They are rated for the capacity of interconnected panels and typically require a second inverter, or a larger replacement and complete system rewiring. New and old panels should not be mixed, since output is throttled to the weakest panel’s current output.
· Microinverter systems, which are essentially modular, allow for easier expansion than string inverters. With microinverters, solar panels operate independently and don’t need to match.
You may need a secondary breaker box to comply with the National Electrical Code (NEC). Your solar panel and main breaker cannot exceed 120% of your panel’s busbar rating, which generally limits solar to a 40-amp breaker.
Permit, interconnection and net metering amendments
You may need a new or amended city or county building permit, as well as electrical permits and inspections. You must also resubmit or amend your current interconnection and net metering agreements, which may require additional review depending on how much you increase solar energy system capacity.
Reassert Your Energy Independence
Find out if you can expand an existing solar system by adding more panels with help from East Washington’s trusted solar provider, PacWest Solar. Contact us at 509-929-2728 to schedule a professional solar energy system assessment in Kootenai County (Athol, Coeur d’Alene, Dalton Gardens, Fernan Lake Village, Harrison, Hayden Lake, Huetter, and Post Falls), Spokane County (Airway Heights, Cheney, Deer Park, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake, Millwood, Spangle, and Spokane) or Pullman today.