Is it time to expand your solar system? Do you find that you need more energy than your current system can supply?
Then you might wonder if expanding your solar system is possible. In this blog post, we answer all your questions about expanding your solar system! We explain what is necessary to expand a photovoltaic system and what you should consider when deciding.
How to determine if you need to expand your PV system
If you’re considering expanding your solar system, you must determine if you need it. To do this, you have to calculate your current energy consumption and compare it with the capacity of your system.
To calculate your current energy consumption, you need to know how much electricity your house uses per day. You can find this information on your electricity bill. The total kWh (kilowatt hours) consumed in a month are listed under “Consumption.”
To determine the capacity of your system, you need to know how many small solar panels are installed and how many watts they are. You can find this information in the installation documentation for your system or on the manufacturer’s website.
Once you have these numbers, divide your monthly kWh usage by the wattage of the panels to find the number of panels you need.
If the result exceeds the number of panels you currently have installed, it’s time to expand!
Does it make sense to expand a solar system?
The expansion of a solar system has several advantages:
- Increased Energy Production: As your needs grow, it’s important that your system can keep up. As you expand your solar array, you can increase its overall capacity and boost your energy production.
- Greater Savings: With a larger solar array, you’ll produce more energy and save more money on utility bills. You may even get rid of your electricity bill altogether!
- Longer Life: A larger solar array will last longer than a smaller one because it is more powerful and resilient. This means you can enjoy the benefits of solar energy for years to come!
As you can see, there are many reasons to expand your solar powered generator system! If you find that your current facility no longer meets your needs, it’s time to consider an expansion.
However, if you want to feed into the grid with a solar system, there is a special pitfall regarding the EEG.
Extension or new installation?
19 paragraph 1 of the Renewable Energy Sources Act defines what an extension of a photovoltaic system is. It must be installed on the same property as the old system or near it and must not be commissioned more than 12 months after initial installation to be considered an extension.
The first counting month is the month in which the first photovoltaic system starts to produce electricity. If the expansion occurs after that, it is considered a new system and, therefore, receives the current (and lower) feed-in tariff.
What you should consider when expanding your solar system
Space, location, building permit. One of the first things to consider is where you want to mount the additional solar panels. If you already have a roof system installed, there may not be an area well exposed to the sun to add additional panels.
The space available may not be as important if you have a ground-mounted system, but you need to consider that when deciding how many panels to put up. A building permit may also be required for a certain size (3x9m).
Remember that panels facing south don’t cast any shadows (from trees, buildings, or other obstacles) work best.
Desired additional capacity
After you figure out how big your new solar panels will be, you can start thinking about the size of your expanded installation. Determine your goal for the project.
Do you want to cover 100% of your electricity consumption or save costs? Talk to your solar installer and let them know your current electricity bill so they can determine how large the system should be to meet your expectations. Keep in mind that complete self-sufficiency does not always make sense from a financial point of view.
There are various ways in which you can expand your solar system. Each variant has advantages and disadvantages and is more or less suitable depending on your goals.
Adding a new solar system
If you want to increase the size of your solar array by more than a few kW, it’s probably best to install a new one with new panels and a pure sine wave inverter. In many ways, this is the easiest and cheapest option.
Installing a new (separate) system is often less complicated and time-saving than integrating new modules into an older system. Also, you don’t have to worry about voiding your original solar system’s warranty if you choose a different installer.
This also gives you more options when it comes to distances. You are not tied to the location of the original facility. If there is no space on your roof, a freestanding unit or carport might be a good solution for you.
However, depending on local regulations and the utility company, you may need to apply for a permit and get your utility company’s approval.
Adding modules to the original installation – no new inverter
If you have additional space on your roof or right next to your open space system, you may be able to expand the existing system with new modules. However, a few things to consider before you embark on this journey.
You need to make sure the panels are compatible. The safest and best option is to expand your solar system with the same modules. If that model is no longer available, you may be able to use another module with similar performance. Your solar installer should be able to tell you what is possible for your system.
You should also check whether your inverters can handle the increased power of the additional modules. Depending on how large your inverter is compared to your installation, you may be able to add a few panels and connect them to the existing inverter.
However, if your inverter’s capacity is far less than the combined DC size of the old and new systems, you will need two separate inverters.
Another point to think about is the warranty on your original system. If you were happy with the company that installed your first system, it’s also a good idea to hire them to install other components.
If you switch installers, you risk voiding your previous installer’s warranty if you have trouble later. However, not all solar installers offer this expansion.
Expand solar modules with a new inverter
If your existing inverter system cannot support replacing your old panels with new ones, you may be able to upgrade it.
Adding a larger inverter supports your system growth according to the installed power.
However, if the old inverter can no longer provide sufficient power, it may be time to replace it with a new one.
Inverters are typically the most complicated component of a solar system and the one most likely to fail. If you save enough energy by installing solar panels, a new inverter may be the best solution in the long run.
Stress-free & cheap alternatives
In addition to the “full” expansion of your photovoltaic system, you can also consider a few uncomplicated alternatives. Although these do not supply as much electricity, they can be implemented quickly and cheaply.
This includes, for example, a balcony power plant with a maximum output of 600 watts, which you can easily install and use immediately. You can also install these smaller systems on the facade, the garage roof, or in the garden.
How much does it cost to expand a solar system?
There are a few things to consider when expanding a photovoltaic system. One of the most important questions is: how much will it cost?
Photovoltaic panel prices have fallen in recent years, and as solar power expands in many parts of the world, installation costs are expected to continue to fall.
Nevertheless, some costs must be considered when expanding an existing off grid solar system.
This includes the cost of new photovoltaic panels, installation work, and any necessary permits.
Typically, expanding an existing photovoltaic system costs less than installing a new system from scratch.
That’s because much of the infrastructure needed for a new facility is already in place.
However, before embarking on an expansion project, it is important to consider all the costs involved and ensure that they are justified by the increased performance of the expanded facility.
To summarize: expansion can be worthwhile. An expansion of your photovoltaic system can be worthwhile. Considering some or all of the above, the upgrade can meet your power needs and save you money in the long run.
