BrightGridIf your electricity demand has increased, you may be able to expand an existing solar system. However, adding panels is not simply a matter of filling the remaining roof space. The inverter, electrical design, grid connection and existing panel configuration all need to be assessed.
Why might you expand solar?
- Buying an electric vehicle
- Installing a heat pump
- Adding a home battery
- Household electricity consumption has increased
- Additional roof space is available
- Existing solar system is smaller than current requirements
Can the existing inverter handle more panels?
It depends on the inverter's electrical limits and the proposed panel configuration. In some situations the existing inverter can accommodate additional capacity; in others, an additional or replacement inverter may be required.
Could expansion require a new DNO process?
Increasing generation capacity can affect the property's grid connection arrangements. The applicable requirements should be checked before adding equipment.
Should you add a battery at the same time?
If the original system was designed without storage, expansion can be an opportunity to review the entire energy system and consider whether battery storage or a hybrid inverter would provide additional value.
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Roof space | Determines physical capacity |
| Inverter | Determines electrical capacity |
| DNO | Determines grid connection limits |
| Existing panels | Determines system compatibility |
| Battery | May change system architecture |
Expansion should be designed as a system upgrade
Adding panels without reviewing the inverter, grid connection and household demand can produce a technically or financially suboptimal system.
Explore expanding your solar system
Assess your existing installation and find out how additional solar or battery storage could fit.
Upgrade My SolarFrequently asked questions
Can I add more solar panels to my existing system?
Often yes, but the inverter, existing panel configuration, roof space, electrical installation and grid connection need to be assessed.
Can I add panels without replacing the inverter?
Sometimes. It depends on the inverter's capacity and the electrical characteristics of the proposed additional panels.
Can I add a battery when expanding solar?
Yes, an expansion can be a useful opportunity to review battery storage and inverter architecture.
Will adding solar panels require DNO approval?
It can, depending on the resulting generation system and applicable grid-connection requirements.
Marcus Webb
Head of Engineering at BrightGrid Energy
