Residential Solar Panel Installation
How to add more solar panels
You may have reduced or eliminated your power bill if you’ve switched to solar. However, you may have to include solar panels in your existing system. Your solar panel system might be too small , or your consumption of electricity may have increased since installation.
You won’t find the same process when adding panels to your existing system as when you first started looking for a solar panel system. Here are some essential tips to consider when you are looking into your options.
Things to take into consideration when installing solar panels on an already existing system
Energy needs
How many solar panels do you require? This is one of the most importantone, since it will impact the design of your system and the cost of adding the solar panels.
The number of panels that you’ll require for your system will depend on a variety of factors. They include your electricity bills as well as your location, equipment, and the structure the system. Nevada Solar Power Installers installers should have access to your electricity bill, and also be able to estimate the amount of panels you’ll need to have for your specific situation. This guide will assist you to determine the number of panels you need.
New panels require space
Are you able to install additional solar panels on your roof? You may not have enough space to accommodate more solar panels if your rooftop system is constrained. Ground mount systems are easier to incorporate because many property owners have plenty of sun land.
Ground-mounted solar panels are photovoltaic that are installed on the ground. Ground-mounted systems work similarly to roof solar systems in that they expose themselves to light, which is converted to electrical energy by solar cells . They are is used to generate electricity from one building and, in the form of solar farms, communities.
However, you don’t have to give up if there’s not enough roof space to accommodate additional panels. It is possible to put supplemental solar arrays on existing structures like carports and sheds.
Upgrade and compatibility of solar panels
What panels were used in the initial installation? Is there a component that needs to be upgraded? Solar panels will continue to produce energy for the next 25 years. At that point you might notice significant drops in production. It is highly unlikely that you’ll have to replace panels from the initial system. Nevada Solar Power Installers installer will inspect everything, including wiring and the racking.
If possible, use the same type of panel when you add new panels. This will ensure that everything looks the same visually and uses the same power outputs as the other panels. It is not recommended to install identical panels if you cannot do it. Otherwise, your array could be damaged.
Inverter replacement
Is the inverter big enough to handle more panels? The inverter could need to be replaced based on the amount of additional capacity you’ve added to your system. The produced by the panels is used to determine the Nevada Solar Power Installers installer will measure the central unit. Due to the energy loss when converting, your panels‘ direct current (DC), electricity can have lower power ratings that their respective inverter. The solar panel system you have installed could produce more electricity if you increase the number of panels it is able to handle.
In the event that your solar panel system is equipped with microinverters then adding projects will be easier. This is different from string-inverter systems or power optimizers. There is no need to worry about inverter capacities issues because microinverters are installed in each panel. Instead, you could include additional microinverters on the panels.
Panels to be installed by an installer
Does your original installer do add-on projects? It is best to get in contact with them to determine whether they’re able to take on the task. They’ll be more acquainted with your property and system than you are , and are able to include additional panels to their work.
This is not an option if your previous installer was not professional or has left the business. Although you can shop around to find a new business to set up your panels, it may be more difficult to locate one. Installers who don’t own the installation won’t do add-on work. They do not want to have conflicting warranties on the entire installation or that this job is not enough. A lot of installation companies do not want to settle disputes over who’s responsible to fix what part or part of their system.
Nevada Solar Power Installers set a minimum size for their systems to maximize their profit margins. An add-on project might be to install a few panels. This could yield less profit margins than a standard residential installation. Nevada Solar Power Installers focuses their efforts on larger projects depending on their availability as well as their installation schedule.
Interconnection and permitting
Further permits or documents are required for the installation of additional panels on your property. It depends on the number of panels that you are installing and whether an inverter is needed. Also, consider your local permit needs. You’ll have to make another interconnection request to your utility provider if you add more than two kW to your system.
Installers who are part of an additional job must be familiar with any permits and interconnection requirements. They should also be able to file these documents as part of the overall price.
Incentive Programs
It’s possible you won’t be eligible to receive the same incentives like tax credits or rebates, when you add additional panel systems to the system. Some incentives are only applied to a single property or per person.
Performance-based-incentives (PBIs) can be a bit complicated when it comes to add-on projects. The incentive amounts are determined by the amount of electricity your system produces. This may cause issues when you own a newly installed or improved inverter. You will need to re-file the application for interconnection.
Talk to Nevada Solar Power Installers solar installer about the incentives that you may qualify for on the solar add-ons you have purchased. Also, talk to an tax professional if you have questions regarding tax credits.
How much does it cost to expand an existing solar array?
It’s not much more expensive to add panels to an existing system than to install one. Your expansion will likely be smaller than the original system so it may be more expensive per Watt. A larger system will generally cost less than one with a smaller size and therefore the cost per watt for your new system will likely be greater.
Because a lot of the tasks required by a Nevada Solar Power Installers installer is thought of as “soft” costs, which includes permits, overhead and labor as well as permit fees. Most likely, a Nevada Solar Power Installers installer will require the same work as the installation they did originally. This includes scheduling work for the crew as well as applying for permits.
Even though the 26% federal tax credit, and any other incentives may be possible to be used for system expansion, it is possible that the more expensive per-watt costs that comes with expanding the system will not yield a huge financial return.
What does the process of adding additional panels to your home look like?
If you’re eligible you’ll undergo the same process as when you signed up for the Nevada Solar Power Installers solar system. This means you’ll have two solar energy systems on your roof, which you will be billed separately.
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- A design for the system that is custom made to your specifications will be provided to you, which you can then review.
- Once you have approved the design, our technicians will schedule an appointment at your home to install the extra panels. This is an independent system that will be compatible with your current solar energy system. You’ll receive two bills for each system.
- We will arrange for your local municipality to allow and inspect the system.
- We will collaborate with your utility company until you are permitted to operate the additional panels.
Should you use the same company that installed your original system?
Although you don’t necessarily need to work with the same company that installed the original system for installation, it’s a good idea at least to get a quote. They’ll already be comfortable with the system and have access to the monitoring system. There is no chance of losing the warranty.
Even though a different firm could make an addition to the system, it doesn’t typically void the warranty that was originally issued. But, it’s recommended.
The procedure for getting quotes for an extension to a system is the same as a typical home-solar installation. Ask the same questions and receive multiple quotes.
Nevada Solar Power Installers allows you to add solar panels to your existing system.
It’s important to shop around for any solar project, regardless of the size or scope. Joining the Nevada Solar Power Installers Solar Marketplace will allow you to receive several quotes and compare solar costs. You can add panels to an existing system by making this a feature in your account. Also, you should provide details about the equipment and system (equipment and size of the system) so installers can give the most competitive quotes.