There’s no hiding; finding an installer willing to add more solar panels can be challenging for modern solar energy systems. Accountable for 90% of solar energy systems in Perth, WA, solar panels within a string inverter system must be matched for similar electrical characteristics, assisting uninhibited electrical flow throughout the solar array. Coupled with generational solar panel dimension and characteristic changes, adding more solar panels to your existing solar energy system can sometimes be more complex than first thought.
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In a short period of research, you’ll identify that most solar installation companies want to avoid adding more solar panels to your existing solar energy system and will often default to recommending an entire system upgrade. Yet you have a perfectly functioning system that seems ridiculous to remove and discard based on your commitment to greener energy outcomes.
Indeed, there is a market for adding more solar panels to existing solar energy systems globally, but is it viable in Western Australia?
Image: Perth Solar Warehouse technicians add more solar panels to an existing system.
A defection among installers of adding more solar panels to your existing system exists in two forms:
1) The cost of adding more solar panels vs current market new system options due to available subsidies.
2) Electrical characteristics (mismatch) among newly available solar panels since you installed the original solar energy system.
3) Scarcity of previous-generation solar panels for ideal compatibility.
Within, we’ll explore what has changed since you installed your solar energy system and the current market prices of adding more solar panels vs removing and replacing with an entirely new solar energy system for the greater Perth, Western Australia region.
Seeking a quote? We know what it takes to add more solar panels in Perth, Western Australia.
Consider the output of your current solar panels. Standard previous-generation solar panel sizes on Perth homes are 250W, 275W, 330W, 370W, 390W, and 415W. Finding a similar-output solar panel is essential if adding it to a string [inverter] solar system. As the more affordable solution, these account for approximately 90% of solar installations in Western Australia.
Power output is one of many considerations systems designers need to make. Irrelevant to the brand, solar panels have vastly different electrical characteristics depending on their cell architecture (60 cells, 72 cells, 120 half-cells, 144 half-cells, shingled, etc.). The internal solar cell foundation (poly or mono) and configuration (architecture) are important aspects affecting two essential string inverter design elements, Isc and Voc.
- Isc: Short Circuit Current
- Voc: Open Circuit Voltage
These two figures are essential to a string’s solar panel compatibility. The closer the better for optimal system performance when matching: Brand (if possible) and cell architecture.
In short: If similar solar panels can’t be sourced, adding more solar panels to your existing string-wired solar system could have minimal to negative benefits.
Image: Perth Solar Warehouse technician adds more solar panels as part of a system upgrade.
Your previous solar energy system may have been installed according to prior electrical standards. When a technician alters the existing system, they must notify with an Electrical Safety Certificate that the alteration/addition meets current electrical standards. Their personal and company licencing ensures your property is insured, and the statement must be correct. It will be considered a significant alteration for notifiable work (an increase of power class), and the system it incorporates must meet the current standards.
In short: The cost of adding more solar panels becomes elevated when an existing system upgrade is required.
When adding more solar panels, there are different warranty layers of obligations to consider, as the last person who worked on the system will always choose to absolve themselves from warranty ownership of the existing system if it is within a particular warranty period. We’ll always encourage building your energy ecosystem alongside a proven local installer to ensure your original installation warranty remains uncompromised. It is recommended that you consult the prospect of adding more solar panels with your original installer first.
Perth Solar Warehouse compliments future system upgrades and improved warranty assurance with 20 years of business operational history and one of the most proven local guarantees.
In short: Adding more solar panels to an existing system may affect the original installer’s warranty.
Discover hassle-free solar. We’re a proven local WA company measured x time. Google & SolarQuotes 4.9/5.
Does the existing system qualify for the current solar rebate (if available) to aid the reduced cost of adding more solar panels? The Small Technology Certificate (STC) subsidy is determined by the ability of your sustainable energy system to offset carbon emissions effectively. If your existing solar energy system doesn’t meet the current Australian and local standards, the cost of adding more solar panels will become 100% reflective of the actual price.
Further complicating layers to subsidy qualification, the existing system’s inverter must be on the current approved CEC list of inverters. Past approvals don’t qualify. The new solar panels must also be on the current CEC list of approved solar panels.
Related: How much are you entitled to? Perth’s solar subsidy amounts ›
Should the existing system qualify for the current period Small Technology Certificates (subsidy), adding more solar panels can often be calculated at a cost-per-watt, better assisting with normalising residential solar energy system costs.
As a gauge, the cost to add more solar panels to an existing string-wired solar system in the greater Perth region of Western Australia ranges from $1 to $2 per/Watt.
Example: On the more economical end of the spectrum, a 440W solar panel upgrade will likely cost $440 after qualifiable subsidy discounts at the point of sale. Always seek a site-specific quote for accuracy. We can assist.
Remove and replace your existing system with Perth Solar Warehouse starting from $.50c per/Watt. 6.6 kW Solar ›
Sunwiz Awards 2024: Perth appreciates Perth Solar Warehouse’s customer-centricity, local public knowledge base and high-quality outcomes. Best solar company (Australia) by customer satisfaction data [2023,24].
1) Avoid the subsidy: It’s an option, but specific standards for energy generation supply equipment must still be adhered to. As a guide, the cost of adding solar panels with the subsidy applied often offsets the panel cost. The price is likely to be similar.
2) Remove the current system. Go new. It’s now the most popular method towards expanding a solar energy systems capacity in Perth, Western Australia. Starting from 50c per/Watt, what should be the seemingly more expensive option can often cost less while improving user-system experience, performance and function with more modern technology.
3) Add a new system alongside your existing system. If choosing this option, try to match inverter brands where possible. Matching like-for-like inverter brands should simplify system monitoring through the one performance monitoring portal. Due to the current subsidies and reduced cost of high-power inverters, this option may prove similar to removing the current system and starting fresh.
No matter your preference for adding more solar panels to increase the overall solar system generating capacity, consider Perth Solar Warehouse, the researched shoppers’ choice for solar and batteries, with our renowned no-hard-sell guarantee. After all, that’s how you found this post. One of Perth’s few no-pressure-to-buy installers, follow the path of least resistance that thousands before you have experienced and enjoyed. We can assist you with the best direction for adding more solar panels. It costs nothing to ask.
