Unfortunately, it’s a very common story in the solar world: A homeowner installs a solar power system that meets their current needs, but over the years, those needs change, and the current solar array just isn’t able to generate enough power to meet the home’s new demands. This can often leave you with a big decision: Do you leave the system as it is, and rely on the grid more? Do you add more panels to your existing system? Or do you replace the current panels with higher-efficiency ones that generate more power? Keep reading to learn more about your options.
Expanding Your Existing Solar Array
Expanding an existing array obviously requires adding more panels to your system. This can be a good choice if your current panels are still relatively new, in good condition, and have a lot of life ahead of them. The benefit here is that you’ll only pay for a few new panels, rather than a full system replacement, and the lifespan of your current panels won’t be cut short.
On the downside, not every roof has room for more panels, so expanding may not be an option for everyone. You’ll also face issues with mismatched panels—not just in terms of aesthetics, but in efficiency variations as well. Older inverters and wiring may also still need to be upgraded to be able to support added panels.
Replacing with Newer Panels
If your current panels are getting older, replacing them may be a better option than expanding. Today’s higher-efficiency panels produce more power per square foot, so you can get more energy out of the same amount of roof space that you’re currently using. You’ll be able to get all the latest technologies and updated warranties for all the panels in your system, allowing you to start fresh.
Of course, there is a higher upfront cost to replace all your panels, and you’ll have to simply cut your losses by giving up whatever lifespan your current panels have left. And again, there’s a good chance that a system producing more power will still need a new inverter on top of those new panels.
Should You Upgrade?
Ultimately, the option of how to upgrade your system—and whether or not to update it at all—comes down to your priorities. If you’re okay with just a reduction in your monthly utility bills, you may opt to continue relying on the grid to fill in the gaps left by your undersized system. However, if you want to be more energy independent, you’ll need to weigh the pros and cons mentioned above to decide whether to add a few new Phono solar panels or simply replace them all.
