2 get a new bigger inverter and add more panels too.
Adding addiotional solar panel.
Solar panels can only be added to the inverter if adding the extra solar panels keeps the voltages and current fed to the inverter within the operating window or working range of the inverter.
If you re adding quite a few panels and your entire solar panel system is much larger than the original size it may generate more electricity than your pre existing inverter can handle.
Adding more solar panels can minimize the financial sting of your home expansion.
Furthermore additions often provide additional roof space for mounting another solar rack.
Let s go through each option in detail so you can weigh up the best approach for you.
3 get a whole new separate solar system installed next to the original.
Add on projects are a bit easier if your original solar panel system uses microinverters as opposed to a power optimizer or string inverter system.
It is also worth checking the structural integrity of your existing roof before adding any additional solar panels to your roof.
How many additional solar panels you can add to your solar power system depends greatly on the solar power inverter you have installed.
You d like to take advantage of solar renewable energy credits.
If you have a storage ready solar system you already have an inverter that can easily integrate a battery into your solar panel system.
More and more people are adding solar panels to their existing solar system because they also plan on adding batteries.
1 add more panels to your existing system using your original inverter.
Often the additional solar panels and the battery bank are installed together at a package price.
In this situation a battery is relatively simple to install and the installation process won t require much additional equipment.
New panels can be added without touching your existing system with a safe and easy ac cable run connecting your new array to your meter board and to your existing solar input.
The level of difficulty associated with adding a battery depends on whether your solar panel system was designed with the intention of adding energy storage later on.
When stringing panels in series each panel additional adds to the total voltage v of the string but the current i in the string remains the same.
While the roof might be absolutely fine with the existing array additional solar panels might be too heavy for the roof to withstand so make sure this is considered before making the investment.
When adding batteries there is a wide variety of approaches each of which as its own pros and cons.