Expanding Your Solar Array

Oftentimes, people install solar panels, and then realize that they don’t have enough panels to cover their energy needs. Because of this, they often find that they need to add more panels to their system, but they are unsure how to go about doing that, and are worried that doing so will disrupt their current system. Adding more panels to a system is actually very common, and it’s a good idea, especially if you aren’t producing enough. Keep reading this blog to learn exactly how to go about doing so.

When to install more panels to your solar array.

If any of these reasons apply to you, you should seriously consider installing more panels to your solar system:

• It’ll be easier to pay for it if you install a few panels at a time.
  • Even though solar panels do pay for themselves over time, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to afford a whole system all at once. Because of this, you might consider just installing one or two right now and adding more over time. Doing so will allow you to start reaping the benefits of solar while not taking too hard of a hit on your wallet.
• You don’t have enough energy production for your home.
  • Perhaps you did all your calculations right, but you started producing more energy than when you initially installed your panels. If you installed a pool, have more lights, added new appliances, etc., you’ll probably need more panels to cover your electricity usage. It’s also possible you miscalculated somewhere and underestimated your power needs. No need to panic, that just means you’re an ideal candidate for installing more solar.
• Your home is now larger.
  • You originally calculated your solar array perfectly right, but you added a new room, started using a basement again, needed another garage, etc. This again is a great reason that you’d be using more electricity than you originally thought, and therefore, should expand your array.

How to go about expanding your array.

So, now that you know you do need to add to your array, you’re probably wondering how on earth to go about doing that. Whatever you do, you’ll want to hire your original solar installer again, as not doing so can void your warranty.

Expanding your system is simple by just adding more panels and hooking them up to what’s already there. Unfortunately, the caveat to this is that you’ll need to have enough roof space to do that. If you don’t, you do still have options. Things like ground-mounted systems can also be installed, and though you won’t be able to hook it up to the grid you already own, you’ll still be able to expand your array.

Keep in mind that when you add panels to your system, you’re going to want to get the exact same ones you already have. If the ones you have aren’t available anymore, you’ll at the very least want to find panels that are mostly identical. For example, getting one that has a 250W output if that’s what your original panel has.

Expanding Your Inverter

Another consideration you’ll have to take into account is your inverter. It’s likely the inverter you originally chose won’t have the capacity to deal with the extra energy you’ll be bringing in with more panels. If that’s the case in your home, one thing you can do is just install another one and tie it to the same grid. Another option is getting a microinverter that simply connects to each individual new panel you add so you won’t have to spend the money on a whole new one.

Want to learn more tips about solar energy and solar panels? Check out the HahaSmart blog for daily blogs!

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