You are probably weighing up 3 alternative approaches to your solar upgrade.
Adding extra solar panels to existing system.
Enphase microinverters convert solar power from dc to ac underneath each panel which allows each panel to output power independently from the rest of the array.
Since string inverters have an average lifespan of 10 years try to coincide the installation of your extra panels with replacing your inverter to save money.
This means we can now install new high efficiency modules like the lg neon 2 345w module without touching your existing system.
Your charge controller has to be able to handle at least 10 more than this.
You can add more solar panels using your existing inverter.
With any solar project big or small it s good to shop around.
3 get a whole new separate solar system installed next to the original.
If your existing solar panel is 100 watts and you want to add a 50 watt solar panel you will need a charge controller that can handle 150 watts plus 10.
Add together the wattage of the two solar panels.
If you re looking to add panels onto your existing system note that in your account along with information about your existing system equipment system size so that installers can provide you with the most accurate quotes possible.
1 add more panels to your existing system using your original inverter.
As they re accurately sized to the solar installation adding more panels will probably exceed the amount of electricity your inverter can process.
For example you can install up to 2kw of panels to a system using a 1 5kw inverter.
In this situation there are several options.
Your inverter s rated peak power can be maximized up to 133.
Swap out the existing inverter for a larger one and add more panels solar panels have a standard life expectancy of.
Add solar panels to an existing system on energysage.
Check with your electricity distributor before adding extra panels systems or batteries you can add solar panels to your system to increase your system size up to the size of your inverter your system must comply with the relevant australian standards replace your inverter with one of the same or smaller size.
Add a brand new solar system alongside the existing one this may be the easiest most affordable option especially.
Microinverters simplify an upgrade to your existing system because the new panels will each convert their own current.
Microinverters have a few other benefits as well.
You can add panels with microinverters a few at a time and you don t need to install additional components like a second inverter.
This makes the new system 100 compatible with an existing array and the two inputs are managed through an energy management system that we install.
