FWIW, some folks around here may have more history and experience with the subject matter but IMO, but no one here is inherently smarter than anyone else, including you.
To the best of my opinion, knowledge and sought out opinion from SDG & E and the CPUC, the written rules on bumping system sizes by up to 1 kW are based on the spec sheet (STC) rating of the panels with no derating for age, orientation or inverter system. I got that from the horses' mouths' several years ago.
Things may have changed but since the wording is pretty clear, I kind of doubt it.
Reading your prior posts you've called SDG & E in the past with other questions. Why not do it again ?
Even if the written rules were to change, I'd seriously doubt they would change in ways that would benefit PV system owners to the POCOs' determent.
I'd give them a call and say you're enquiring for an aged and homebound friend and see if you'd draw a balk for 1.040 STC kW of added capacity. But before I did, I'd find out what paperwork and documentation is required and see what the forms look like.
The last time I checked (~ 4 years ago I think), bumping a system size within the limits didn't require and inspection.
BTW, how much electricity do you use in a year ? How about 3 X 260 STC W of PV + some conservation measures (maybe ~ 350 - 400 Wh/yr) to make up the difference ?
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Adding additional panels to existing system, how to figure?
Afternoon gents I have an opportunity to pick up some additional 260w panels with micros that are comparable with my existing system for next to nothing.
My current system:
Original install was back in May of 2013.
(34) Suniva OPT260-60-4-1B0 panels with Enphase M215-60-2LL-S22/S23 micros.
System was permitted for 8.84 KW DC, 7.6 KW AC with our local Utility provider (SDGE).
Production #’s for years.
2013 - 9.834MW approx 8 1/2 months
2014 - 13.268MW
2015 - 12.498MW
2016 - 12.895MW
2017 - 12.315MW
2018 - 12.697MW
2019 - 12.474MW
2020 - 12.352MW
2021 - 12.712MW
2022 - 12.770MW
Fairly consistent production over the long term and not a lot of degradation on output per se.
That being said I know I want to only add no more than 1K additional production as to remain on my NEMA 1.0 rate schedule.
So…… my guess is I am able to add (4) additional 260w panels, seeing how they are clipping at 215 max by the micros or am I not figuring this out correctly?
Is there a formula I could use to accurately figure my max add of wattage.
Am I reaching my max production limits per my permitted KW size?
Could that be added in figuring additional capacity?
Panels are 10 yrs old now and have probably declined a bit in production so could that factor figure in as well.
Lots of guys on here alot smarter than me so let’s hear it.
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