What You Need to Know About Adding Solar Panels to an Existing System

When you have a solar panel system initially installed, a part of the sales process is determining what your energy consumption is to figure out the size of the solar array you’ll need.

But that doesn’t mean that your energy needs won’t change over time. And it definitely doesn’t mean that if they do, you’re out of luck.

In this blog, we’ll talk about what happens when your energy needs change and what it entails to add another solar panel (or multiple solar panels) to your existing solar system.

Have Your Energy Needs Changed?

When you get your initial solar panel system, the array is carefully calculated to meet the needs of the energy consumption in your home. Solar salespeople do this by taking a look at your existing solar usage and using that data to determine how many solar panels you’ll need.

But things change! Having an additional person living in your home may or may not affect your energy consumption enough to require more solar panels.

But something like an addition to your home certainly would. A home addition, a mother-in-law suite, or a detached shop would all be reasons why you would need to add more solar panels to your existing system.

If you’re finding you’re depleting your solar battery more than you would like, or you need to pull more energy from the grid than you want to, it’s time to consider adding solar panels to your solar panel system.

5 Things to Consider Before Adding Solar Panels to Your Existing System

Adding solar panels is possible in most cases, but there are some factors you’ll need to investigate beforehand. Here are some questions you should look into before and while meeting with a solar salesperson.

How much additional electricity do you need?

If you’re getting bills from the utility company still, gather your bills for the last six months to a year. These will tell you what you need to know about how much electricity you’ve needed from the grid.

For those with solar batteries, if you notice your battery depleting quickly, it could be a sign that you’re using more energy than your system is equipped to handle.

However, there are other reasons why solar batteries seem to drain quickly, so check in with a solar maintenance company to find out why before assuming you’re using too much energy.

How many solar panels will you need to add?

A solar salesperson can help you figure out how many solar panels you’ll need to add, based on your current bills and your expected usage.

They’ll help you forecast how much electricity you’ll need to operate that addition/mother-in-law suite etc., based on how you plan to use it.

How many additional solar panels can you add?

Obviously, there will be physical limitations to how many additional panels you can add to your system.

If you have a roof mounted system, you’re limited by your roof space. You may have room for additional panels, but you may not. Again, this is something you’re going to need professional input on.

If you have a ground mount, you likely have more freedom to add additional panels. Still, space will be a factor depending on the size of your property.

What capacity does your current inverter have, and can it handle more?

In a past blog, we really dove into how solar systems work, and you can read all about that here. What you need to know for now is that the inverter is the key component of your solar system that turns the DC energy collected from the solar panels into AC energy your home can use.

But solar inverters have a capacity of how much energy they can do this with in a given amount of time, and adding more panels could overload the system.

You’ll need a professional to see if your existing inverter capacity will allow for more solar panels. If it doesn’t, you have a few options.

In the case of a mother-in-law suite, it’s possible to add a separate system with a new inverter. Sometimes this is the easiest route, depending on how much energy you’re anticipating the addition will need.

Another option is replacing the inverter on your current system. Replacing the inverter to one with a higher capacity will allow you to add more panels and create enough energy to meet your needs.

Does your solar installer have a minimum project size?

Some solar installers might have a project minimum, so this is another important question to ask before attempting to move forward with this project. Make sure that they’re willing to come out to install a single panel, so you’re not wasting your time!

Adding Batteries to an Existing System

In addition to adding solar panels, we also can add batteries to an existing solar system. This is another way to allow you to use more of the energy you’re creating without using energy from the utility company.

Solar batteries store up solar energy you’re creating when you’re not using it right away. For example, if your family is mostly out of the home during the day, your solar panels create energy when your energy usage is at a minimum. At that time, there is an excess.

Then when your family is home in the evening and night, your home might require a lot more energy to operate, and now you’re having to pull energy from the utility company during peak hours.

Protection From Peak Usage Prices

Here in Hawaii (as with many places), our utility companies charge a premium price for energy from the grid during peak hours.

So, if you’re able to store up energy during the day in your own solar batteries, you can avoid using energy from the utility after the sun goes down.

And, just like we can add extra panels to existing systems, we can also add batteries to existing systems. So even if you didn’t go with batteries the first time around, it’s not too late to add them!

Who Can Add Solar Panels to an Existing System in Hawaii?

Not all solar companies install new panels to existing systems, but we do at Family First Solar! We do not have job minimums, and we’re happy to help you assess how we can add to or manipulate your current solar system to meet your updated needs.

And, even if you had your existing solar panel system installed by a different solar installer, we’re happy to add new panels to your system. Just give us a call at (808)724-4072 or fill out the contact form on our website to get started.

How Much Does It Cost To Add Solar Panels?

The cost of adding extra panels to a solar array completely depends on your needs—your current and anticipated electricity usage, the size of any additions or changes you’re making to your home, and if you need a new inverter or other new equipment besides the panel itself.

But we’d be happy to come out to your home, look over your electricity usage with you, and provide you with a free quote. Just reach out to Family First Solar!