Adding 4 more panels to an existing 46 panel system - NJ

[huge]

OP here - Sadly this endeavor was a fail for me. Despite having a lot of capacity for additional panels in my existing design, it is hard to find a company that will simply come out to add a small number of additional panels at a reasonable price.

The economics are just not there, since they need to do all the same work as a new system - engineer plans, permits, etc. As a result, there seems to be a minimum number of panels for any add-on system, and the cost per watt is very high if the add-on is small like <10 panels. You would think slapping on 4 more panels on a string + optimizer system would be super easy - but not so.

Lesson learned - always consider overdesigning your system to future-proof to larger electrical needs (especially EVs).

If anyone knows a smaller guy/company in NJ willing to do this let me know!

It's the opposite where I live. They give you a better price per Watt for adding more panels. I'm not sure if they're permitting it though.

Try to call the same place that did the initial system and tell them you just want to add 2 panels, nothing else. If they want to charge you too much, just DIY. Should be pretty easy to add a panel to an existing system

[petesamprs]

OP here - Sadly this endeavor was a fail for me. Despite having a lot of capacity for additional panels in my existing design, it is hard to find a company that will simply come out to add a small number of additional panels at a reasonable price.

The economics are just not there, since they need to do all the same work as a new system - engineer plans, permits, etc. As a result, there seems to be a minimum number of panels for any add-on system, and the cost per watt is very high if the add-on is small like <10 panels. You would think slapping on 4 more panels on a string + optimizer system would be super easy - but not so.

Lesson learned - always consider overdesigning your system to future-proof to larger electrical needs (especially EVs).

If anyone knows a smaller guy/company in NJ willing to do this let me know!

[Will792]

Had the following questions:
- Can each of my inverters support 2 more panels? How much risk of significant clipping?

your existing design is too conservative with overload ratio. You can add 10-20 more panels without clipping noticeably affecting annual production. There are many, many threads in this forum explaining why. SolarEdge Designer would give you specific numbers to support my statement above.

[azdave]

Maybe one of several ways to spot A.I. junk might be a grammar and spell check with 100% correct on both as a means to tip off humans and help spot A.I. generated junk.

Sadly, AI bots will learn how to blend in better by intentionally being mediocre at spelling and grammar.

So...did we add four more panels yet?

[sdold]

Welcome to the future - human dolts who can't think, construct a sentence or spell are getting ubiquitous and then imitated by what's ironically called artificial "intelligence" that robotically mimics their junk by shuffling the shells of ideas, corrects the spelling and grammar and then pukes it back as pointless "no excrement" prattle.

I had to read that a couple of times but I think it's actually the most concise explanation of AI that I've seen so far.

[J.P.M.]

The worst part is that I am even starting to see Article on tech or other websites that are obviously written with it.

They use your cookies to gather your interest and then they generate these bogus articles on similar subjects. The articles feel empty and pointless, their content makes sense (sort of), but there is no point or actual interest in them.

More waste of time....

Welcome to the future - human dolts who can't think, construct a sentence or spell are getting ubiquitous and then imitated by what's ironically called artificial "intelligence" that robotically mimics their junk by shuffling the shells of ideas, corrects the spelling and grammar and then pukes it back as pointless "no excrement" prattle.

The great dumbing of humanity continues.
I often feel like I'm watching a slow-motion train wreck when I think about how society has changed over the last 3/4 century I've been around to observe.
Just Entropy at work I suppose.
Makes me glad I'm older than ~ 0.93 of humanity.

Seems that Steely Dan was prescient - at least from my view:
"The things that pass for knowledge I can't understand".

Rant mode off.

[scrambler]

The worst part is that I am even starting to see Article on tech or other websites that are obviously written with it.

They use your cookies to gather your interest and then they generate these bogus articles on similar subjects. The articles feel empty and pointless, their content makes sense (sort of), but there is no point or actual interest in them.

More waste of time....

[J.P.M.]

Yeah, I saw this morning that there were a bunch of new posts with little value and then one looking like it was from an AI site. Those sites like making lists for some reason.

I'm not sure how elated I should be about being able to spot A.I crap so easily by virtue of its insipidness.
Seems humanity is increasing the rate of intellectual devolution without A.I. dumbing stuff down even more.
Social entropy just got afterburners.
Leaves me with a bad feeling about the rise of the machines, but at least the spelling, grammar and syntax will probably be a whole lot better.

Maybe one of several ways to spot A.I. junk might be a grammar and spell check with 100% correct on both as a means to tip off humans and help spot A.I. generated junk.

[sdold]

I kind of thought the same thing, so I checked and it looked like someone had already banned the poster so I figured it was taken care of.

Yeah, I saw this morning that there were a bunch of new posts with little value and then one looking like it was from an AI site. Those sites like making lists for some reason.

[J.P.M.]

I think so and thanks for the report, those really help. We're seeing more of this lately, and also spammers copying and pasting old posts from other forums. It's pretty easy to catch those by copying some of the text and pasting it into a google search, but the AI posts are a little harder. Usually the perfect grammar and spelling gives it away

I kind of thought the same thing, so I checked and it looked like someone had already banned the poster so I figured it was taken care of.

[sdold]

Was this written by ChatGPT? Added nothing of value to the discussion.

I think so and thanks for the report, those really help. We're seeing more of this lately, and also spammers copying and pasting old posts from other forums. It's pretty easy to catch those by copying some of the text and pasting it into a google search, but the AI posts are a little harder. Usually the perfect grammar and spelling gives it away

[petesamprs]

1.For 46 panels (14.95 kW) with your existing inverters, you are already close to their capacity. Adding 4 more panels would likely exceed the inverter capacity and lead to clipping. To avoid this, you may need to consider upgrading your inverters if they have a higher capacity or adding a separate inverter for the additional panels.

2.Federal tax incentives for solar panels can change over time and may vary based on your specific situation.To be sure about the current status and eligibility for your new panels, consult with a tax professional or check the latest IRS guidelines.

3.In New Jersey, permit requirements for solar panel installations can vary by municipality.It's important to contact your local building department or zoning office to inquire about the specific permit requirements for your project.

4.The Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) program in New Jersey supports solar energy production.Since your system was installed at the end of 2019, it's possible that your existing panels are already eligible for the SREC program.you should contact the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) or a qualified solar installer in your area for the most up-to-date information on SREC2 program eligibility.

Was this written by ChatGPT? Added nothing of value to the discussion.

[HGtesla]

1.For 46 panels (14.95 kW) with your existing inverters, you are already close to their capacity. Adding 4 more panels would likely exceed the inverter capacity and lead to clipping. To avoid this, you may need to consider upgrading your inverters if they have a higher capacity or adding a separate inverter for the additional panels.

2.Federal tax incentives for solar panels can change over time and may vary based on your specific situation.To be sure about the current status and eligibility for your new panels, consult with a tax professional or check the latest IRS guidelines.

3.In New Jersey, permit requirements for solar panel installations can vary by municipality.It's important to contact your local building department or zoning office to inquire about the specific permit requirements for your project.

4.The Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) program in New Jersey supports solar energy production.Since your system was installed at the end of 2019, it's possible that your existing panels are already eligible for the SREC program.you should contact the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) or a qualified solar installer in your area for the most up-to-date information on SREC2 program eligibility.

[scrambler]

No issue with the 120% rule for a line side tap indeed.
The strings are balanced so they should be able to take the additional panel without issue

[petesamprs]

thanks both.

Each inverter has 2 strings, one with 11 panels the other with 12 panels. All panels/strings get a similar amount of sun exposure at a given time of the day.

Regarding the 120% rule: my house has two 200-Amp service panels. The solar service goes into the line side of one of the two panels. So no 120% rule issue correct?

My layout is below:

Screenshot 2023-09-10 181853.jpg