How do I determine the maximum number of panels my inverter can handle?

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  • Rade
    Solar Fanatic
    • Aug 2023
    • 157

    #1

    How do I determine the maximum number of panels my inverter can handle?

    Hello Forum! It's been a while since I posted a question.

    We have an architecture with 32 panels on six strings that can produce up to 13.2kWh of power. I've seen it hit that mark a few times when the panels are both supporting the house and recharging the batteries on sunny days in the June and July.

    For the most part, the house is carbon neutral for 8 months out of the year. I would like to extend the solar season by possibly installing additional panels on a directly-Southern facing roof with an area of 9x18'. The roof is on a yard shed that we recently had renovated. We also have room on a south-west facing area of our garage roof that can accommodate an additional 6 panels. I would hope to get at least another 10 panels between the two locations.

    We have a GENERAC inverter. Been reading the installation materials and marketing stuff for it, but cannot determine what would be the maximum capacity that the single inverter can handle. Can anyone guide me to the term, kWh or number panels I should be looking for in the materials?

    Thanks!
    Rade
    Rade Radosevich-Slay
    Tiverton, RI
  • bcroe
    Solar Fanatic
    • Jan 2012
    • 5222

    #2
    Here an array intended to collect more energy without overloading the
    Net Metering inverters has been running 13 years. My inverters will
    handle panels up to 1.5 the panel array output rating, simply going into
    clipping to maintain max rated output. Added panels are facing E and W,
    to increase the length of the solar day. Since the sun cannot hit both
    directions at the same time, they can be wired in parallel and the
    inverter only sees the power of one side. A single ground mount can
    be used with panels on both sides.

    This has the advantage of nearly doubling the much reduced output with
    sunlight dispersed under clouds, which tend to dominate winter skies here.
    The steeper elevation angle also is good at rejecting snow. Bruce Roe

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    • Rade
      Solar Fanatic
      • Aug 2023
      • 157

      #3
      Thanks! I have beaten the dead horse on clipping; I had thought of adding a second inverter, but that was going into overkill. I'm just looking to increase the amount of power we can generate from November through March. We have added two EV's to the household, and are doing L2 charging at home. Our panels are E-W configuration, but I have one roof that faces due south. If I can add 4kWh a day at this time of year...
      Rade Radosevich-Slay
      Tiverton, RI

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