Adding more solar panels to an existing SolarEdge system

[djme1l2e]

Dave, did you ever get your extra panels added? I'm trying to do the same. I have them hooked up and added the optimizer numbers but my inverter is still only showing the original but my layout shows all of them.

[hardwired]

Dave,

Did you successfully add panels to your system yourself? I myself am interested in adding panels if possible. I have the same SE7600 with two strings of 9 panels currently and would like to add 2 panels per string. If you were successful, did you follow a guide that you can share. Thank you.

Raul

Hi Raul,

What panels are you using and what's the current total watts. How many max peak watts is your system producing on cool sunny days?

I would go with more than 4 Panels if you can fit it and there not impacted by shade or some utility limit. Maybe 8-10 depending on what your generating now.

[Ampster]

............... I myself am interested in adding panels if possible. I have the same SE7600 with two strings of 9 panels currently and would like to add 2 panels per string. .......

I know your question was directed at Dave but I recently added 4 panels using micro inverters because I did not want to mess with the existing Solaredge system that was under warranty from the installer. All it took was a building permit, an addditional circuit breaker and some wire. I did not have to ask my power company because they allowed me to add 1kW without going back through a new NEM agreement. At least in California the 1kW exception is pretty common. You should verify how it applies in your situation.

[RaulM99]

Dave,

Did you successfully add panels to your system yourself? I myself am interested in adding panels if possible. I have the same SE7600 with two strings of 9 panels currently and would like to add 2 panels per string. If you were successful, did you follow a guide that you can share. Thank you.

Raul

[hardwired]

Do yourself a favor and download the Solaredge Designer tool and put your current configuration in. Then add or modify strings. There's a minimum number of panels on a string and there's a maximum amount of wattage on each string.
https://www.solaredge.com/products/i...tools/designer

It looks like on the 7600 mode your limited to 5250W per string so 10,500W total.
I believe you will need to know the bar codes on the new optimizers to add them in. Do you have the codes for the current installed ones? Not sure if they have to be listed in physical sequence but I'm guessing probably.

[Ampster]

...........
I am going to rewire the strings to have all of the south facing panels on one string, and all of the west facing panels on the 2nd string.
........

That sounds like a good plan. I think you can model that on PV Watts to some degree. One thing the west facing string will give you is more revenue at the higher rates during peak hours. What you were probably seeing with the old configuration was that the strings were not getting minimum voltages until the sun shined on all of them.

[DaveC_Napa]

My system is configured in 2 strings.
I learned something interesting on that subject. one string consists of 10 panels on the garage roof facing south.
the 2nd string is split between 4 panels facing south on the garage roof, and 5 panels on a the west facing roof.
Before the 2nd string starts producing power, all of the panels facing south and west need to have the sun on them. That makes the 4 facing south on the garage roof produce less power every day.
I am going to rewire the strings to have all of the south facing panels on one string, and all of the west facing panels on the 2nd string.

I know to turn off the DC switch before making any wiring changes.

thanks.

[Ampster]

Do you know if your system is currently configured as one or two strings? With that information you may want to go into the string sizing tool on the SolarEdge website and see if adding more panels would require a change in strings. Before disconnecting or reconnecting any panels, be sure and turn off the DC switch to avoid arcing the connectors.

In the end, you will want to run the configuration utility to configure the system for the new panels and Optimizers.

[DaveC_Napa]

Hello,
I had a local Solar company install a 5.9kW system on my roof a year ago.
My inverter is a Solar Edge SE7600H-US.
It was my plan all along to add more panels. When I contacted them recently to add 4-5 more panels, they quoted me a price of $5k !! I spent about $1,200 on materials.
So I went out and bought the panels myself and have them installed on the roof. I am ready to connect them in series with an existing panels.

If I just connect the additional panels, will they work and my system create more power?
I recall reading how there is a system configuration button on the inverter that causes the inverter to go read the serial numbers of all inverters connected.
is this necessary?
Any knowledgeable help is appreciated.

Thanks, Dave