I'm currently facing a bit of a challenge with my solar setup. My main panel has a 125A bus bar, which is derated to 90A, leaving me with only 60A available for solar under the 1.2 rule. We have been planning to use REC 460W panels to create a 5.98kW system, but with the supply shortages lately, I'm looking at alternatives like Qcells 410W or CertainTeed 440W panels. Unfortunately, this would reduce our energy offset. Does anyone know of any suppliers with REC panels in stock? Or can anyone recommend comparable alternatives that won't significantly decrease my system size? I'm concerned about the timeline for a main panel upgrade because of PGE and want to make sure I can still take advantage of the federal credit this year. Looking for help in the Northern California area.
2 Answers
You might want to consider doing a side tap to bypass any subpanel restrictions. The limitation is based on the AC side, not DC, so adding smaller microinverters could allow for more panels. If you're planning a string inverter system, keep in mind you don’t combine battery and solar power usage, which opens up more options for increasing both your solar panel count and battery capacity. With a 60A limit, you could potentially have a 14 kW inverter and a lot more PV panels, giving you power even when the batteries are charged, not just when the solar is at its peak.
You could check out this supplier: [Check this supplier](https://sunsuppv.com/product-category/modules/) for potential REC panel availability!