Adding Solar Panels To An Existing Installation

More and more people are adding solar panels to their existing solar system because they also plan on adding batteries.

Adding solar panels to an existing installation.

Often the additional solar panels and the battery bank are installed together at a package price. When adding batteries there is a wide variety of approaches each of which as its own pros and cons. For example asce 7 16 now clearly states that the weight of solar panels and their support are to be considered as dead loads 1 roof live loads need not be applied to areas covered by solar panels under a certain spacing or height 2 and seismic design is based on already established principles in section 13 3 for non structural component. 1 add more panels to your existing system using your original inverter.

For example you can install up to 2kw of panels to a system using a 1 5kw inverter. 2 get a new bigger inverter and add more panels too. In the charging system the solar panels convert sunlight into electrical current and deliver it to the batteries via a solar charge controller. Homeowners whose solar panels generate electricity that is not sufficient for their needs typically think of upgrading their existing system.

Your solar panel system could be undersized to begin with or you might have increased your electricity usage since installation due to new additions to your house new appliances or adding an electric vehicle ev purchase. These additional panels can usually be tied into the existing string giving you more solar capacity without any major changes to your current system. If you have additional roof space with good sun exposure it s relatively simple to install more solar panels on a new section of rack. Let s go through each option in detail so you can weigh up the best approach for you.

Your inverter s rated peak power can be maximized up to 133. You can add more solar panels using your existing inverter. 3 get a whole new separate solar system installed next to the original. But you may want to add more solar panels to your existing system.

Upgrading your solar panel system is not as simple as it may sound. One system to charge the batteries and another system to provide 120 volt ac power for household appliances. It is not just a matter of adding more panels.