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  • How to add more panels?

    I have 21 Phono (3 rows of 7, 250w) panels with enPhase M215 micro inverters (5.25kw sized system) on my garage roof with room for at least 6 more (2 columns).
    I make just enough electricity to cover my yearly usage but we rarely use the a/c and when it was originally sized and rebates provided we had not use the a/c much so they only allowed us a 5.25kw size system to be eligible for CT State incentives (that made the system affordable). We find ourselves using the a/c a bit more and thus may not make enough to net 0 (or the few KW over) at year end.

    So I was wondering about adding on some more panels but wonder if it is something I buy/can do myself and/or with an electrician friend or do i need a solar specialist?
    Seems I can just get the same panels, etc. and attach new rails but not sure how the micro inverters connect, will the monitoring system know I added more on, will this bother the electric company, etc.

    Thoughts?

  • #2
    Unfortunately adding on to an existing installation probably has the same requirements as a new installation: new permit, new interconnect agreement. You may need to upsize wiring and breakers too and you may run into a limit of your electrical panel size if you are load side connected.

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    • #3
      It totally depends on your local authority having jurisdiction. You probably need a new permit, and the pain to obtain one varies dramatically around the country. From your previous posts, it looks like you are in Connecticut, maybe someone with more experience in that area can help. The existing wiring will need to be reviewed... it might be ok and able to support the expansion, it might not. If you have plans of the existing system you want to upload, more concrete advice can be provided.
      CS6P-260P/SE3000 - http://tiny.cc/ed5ozx

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      • #4
        21 M215s means you have at least two strings and each capable of 17 panels/microinverters in total. I'm in GA myself, started with 8 ($$$) and continued expanding easily myself ($)

        ​Without getting into specific permitting requirements (or not) in your area, all you need is more M215s, panels, one enphase splice kit ($35), a new enphase terminator ($13), and six or seven drops of engage cable (either landscape or portrait). Check if you have two 20 amp breakers (good) or one larger one that would have be adjusted accordingly.

        Once properly extended (up to 17 micros per run), your Envoy will automatically detect new micros and start counting.

        A piece of cake and I wouldn't pay any jokers to do it for you ($$) unless absolutely required which it hardly ever is...


        10 x LG300 ACe, 24 x M250 (9.84 kW DC)

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