Hey everyone! I'm pretty new to solar energy systems and could use some advice. I currently have a full Panasonic system that generates 3.6 kW, and my inverter can handle up to 7,600 W. I've got 10 panels (350 W each) hooked up to a 13.5 kW battery. I'd like to know if I can just add a few more solar panels for extra electricity. Specifically, I'm thinking about adding 3 or 4 more panels to reach around 5 kW output. What would companies typically charge for this? Also, since I'm in Southern California and on NEM 3.0, do I need permits to add more panels?
2 Answers
Yes, you can definitely add more panels, but you should be careful if you're not super familiar with the setup. The voltage can get really high (between 500-1000 V DC), and you have to check if your current hardware can handle it. Make sure to consider how to wire the new panels correctly, either in series or parallel. It’s crucial to know what you're doing or get some help!
You absolutely can add more panels, but you will need permits to do so. I'm in California, too, and I'm currently adding 8 more panels along with an additional battery, and the whole job is costing me around $10k. Make sure to sort all that out beforehand!
That sounds reasonable! Are you doing it all yourself, or hiring a pro for the installation?
I just asked ChatGPT about my inverter, and it mentioned I have 3 available strings. Does that help?