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  • petesamprs
    Member
    • Aug 2019
    • 54

    Adding 4 more panels to an existing 46 panel system - NJ

    I have the following solar system:
    - 46 Panasonic 325W panels (14.95 kW total) with SE P400 optimizers
    - Two SE 7600H inverters, each supporting 23 panels (7.475 kW each)
    - Roof mount, facing due South, no shade
    - Installed end of 2019

    With an EV in our near future, I am considering adding 4 panels (likely similar to existing) to this array to get some incremental production. Had the following questions:
    - Can each of my inverters support 2 more panels? How much risk of significant clipping?
    - Are the new panels deductible for federal tax purposes?
    - NJ specific: would permits be required to add panels, if inverter not being changed?
    - NJ specific: would the new panels be eligible for the SREC2 program?

    thanks
  • scrambler
    Solar Fanatic
    • Mar 2019
    • 500

    #2
    Each inverter can absolutely take the extra 650 watt. There may be some clipping, but I would not worry about it as it would be minimal...

    That said you do need to check the string configuration and to which string the panels would be added to make sure you are not exceeding the MPPT specifications on any of them.

    You also need to check the size of the existing breaker for each inverter to see if you will need to increase their size, and if you do you need to verify if it is acceptable for your panel given the 120% rule.
    Last edited by scrambler; 09-10-2023, 05:36 PM.

    Comment

    • J.P.M.
      Solar Fanatic
      • Aug 2013
      • 14939

      #3
      I'd also check with your AHJ (the building dept. in your jurisdiction) and enquire if additional inspection requirements apply, either electrical or mechanical.

      Comment

      • petesamprs
        Member
        • Aug 2019
        • 54

        #4
        thanks both.

        Each inverter has 2 strings, one with 11 panels the other with 12 panels. All panels/strings get a similar amount of sun exposure at a given time of the day.

        Regarding the 120% rule: my house has two 200-Amp service panels. The solar service goes into the line side of one of the two panels. So no 120% rule issue correct?

        My layout is below:

        Screenshot 2023-09-10 181853.jpg

        Attached Files

        Comment

        • scrambler
          Solar Fanatic
          • Mar 2019
          • 500

          #5
          No issue with the 120% rule for a line side tap indeed.
          The strings are balanced so they should be able to take the additional panel without issue

          Comment

          • HGtesla
            Banned
            • Jul 2023
            • 6

            #6
            1.For 46 panels (14.95 kW) with your existing inverters, you are already close to their capacity. Adding 4 more panels would likely exceed the inverter capacity and lead to clipping. To avoid this, you may need to consider upgrading your inverters if they have a higher capacity or adding a separate inverter for the additional panels.

            2.Federal tax incentives for solar panels can change over time and may vary based on your specific situation.To be sure about the current status and eligibility for your new panels, consult with a tax professional or check the latest IRS guidelines.

            3.In New Jersey, permit requirements for solar panel installations can vary by municipality.It's important to contact your local building department or zoning office to inquire about the specific permit requirements for your project.

            4.The Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) program in New Jersey supports solar energy production.Since your system was installed at the end of 2019, it's possible that your existing panels are already eligible for the SREC program.you should contact the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) or a qualified solar installer in your area for the most up-to-date information on SREC2 program eligibility.

            Comment

            • petesamprs
              Member
              • Aug 2019
              • 54

              #7
              Originally posted by HGtesla
              1.For 46 panels (14.95 kW) with your existing inverters, you are already close to their capacity. Adding 4 more panels would likely exceed the inverter capacity and lead to clipping. To avoid this, you may need to consider upgrading your inverters if they have a higher capacity or adding a separate inverter for the additional panels.

              2.Federal tax incentives for solar panels can change over time and may vary based on your specific situation.To be sure about the current status and eligibility for your new panels, consult with a tax professional or check the latest IRS guidelines.

              3.In New Jersey, permit requirements for solar panel installations can vary by municipality.It's important to contact your local building department or zoning office to inquire about the specific permit requirements for your project.

              4.The Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) program in New Jersey supports solar energy production.Since your system was installed at the end of 2019, it's possible that your existing panels are already eligible for the SREC program.you should contact the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) or a qualified solar installer in your area for the most up-to-date information on SREC2 program eligibility.
              Was this written by ChatGPT? Added nothing of value to the discussion.

              Comment

              • sdold
                Moderator
                • Jun 2014
                • 1430

                #8
                Originally posted by petesamprs

                Was this written by ChatGPT? Added nothing of value to the discussion.
                I think so and thanks for the report, those really help. We're seeing more of this lately, and also spammers copying and pasting old posts from other forums. It's pretty easy to catch those by copying some of the text and pasting it into a google search, but the AI posts are a little harder. Usually the perfect grammar and spelling gives it away

                Comment

                • J.P.M.
                  Solar Fanatic
                  • Aug 2013
                  • 14939

                  #9
                  Originally posted by sdold

                  I think so and thanks for the report, those really help. We're seeing more of this lately, and also spammers copying and pasting old posts from other forums. It's pretty easy to catch those by copying some of the text and pasting it into a google search, but the AI posts are a little harder. Usually the perfect grammar and spelling gives it away
                  I kind of thought the same thing, so I checked and it looked like someone had already banned the poster so I figured it was taken care of.

                  Comment

                  • sdold
                    Moderator
                    • Jun 2014
                    • 1430

                    #10
                    Originally posted by J.P.M.

                    I kind of thought the same thing, so I checked and it looked like someone had already banned the poster so I figured it was taken care of.
                    Yeah, I saw this morning that there were a bunch of new posts with little value and then one looking like it was from an AI site. Those sites like making lists for some reason.

                    Comment

                    • J.P.M.
                      Solar Fanatic
                      • Aug 2013
                      • 14939

                      #11
                      Originally posted by sdold

                      Yeah, I saw this morning that there were a bunch of new posts with little value and then one looking like it was from an AI site. Those sites like making lists for some reason.
                      I'm not sure how elated I should be about being able to spot A.I crap so easily by virtue of its insipidness.
                      Seems humanity is increasing the rate of intellectual devolution without A.I. dumbing stuff down even more.
                      Social entropy just got afterburners.
                      Leaves me with a bad feeling about the rise of the machines, but at least the spelling, grammar and syntax will probably be a whole lot better.

                      Maybe one of several ways to spot A.I. junk might be a grammar and spell check with 100% correct on both as a means to tip off humans and help spot A.I. generated junk.

                      Comment

                      • scrambler
                        Solar Fanatic
                        • Mar 2019
                        • 500

                        #12
                        The worst part is that I am even starting to see Article on tech or other websites that are obviously written with it.

                        They use your cookies to gather your interest and then they generate these bogus articles on similar subjects. The articles feel empty and pointless, their content makes sense (sort of), but there is no point or actual interest in them.

                        More waste of time....

                        Comment

                        • J.P.M.
                          Solar Fanatic
                          • Aug 2013
                          • 14939

                          #13
                          Originally posted by scrambler
                          The worst part is that I am even starting to see Article on tech or other websites that are obviously written with it.

                          They use your cookies to gather your interest and then they generate these bogus articles on similar subjects. The articles feel empty and pointless, their content makes sense (sort of), but there is no point or actual interest in them.

                          More waste of time....
                          Welcome to the future - human dolts who can't think, construct a sentence or spell are getting ubiquitous and then imitated by what's ironically called artificial "intelligence" that robotically mimics their junk by shuffling the shells of ideas, corrects the spelling and grammar and then pukes it back as pointless "no excrement" prattle.

                          The great dumbing of humanity continues.
                          I often feel like I'm watching a slow-motion train wreck when I think about how society has changed over the last 3/4 century I've been around to observe.
                          Just Entropy at work I suppose.
                          Makes me glad I'm older than ~ 0.93 of humanity.

                          Seems that Steely Dan was prescient - at least from my view:
                          "The things that pass for knowledge I can't understand".

                          Rant mode off.

                          Comment

                          • sdold
                            Moderator
                            • Jun 2014
                            • 1430

                            #14
                            Originally posted by J.P.M.

                            Welcome to the future - human dolts who can't think, construct a sentence or spell are getting ubiquitous and then imitated by what's ironically called artificial "intelligence" that robotically mimics their junk by shuffling the shells of ideas, corrects the spelling and grammar and then pukes it back as pointless "no excrement" prattle.
                            I had to read that a couple of times but I think it's actually the most concise explanation of AI that I've seen so far.

                            Comment

                            • azdave
                              Moderator
                              • Oct 2014
                              • 765

                              #15
                              Originally posted by J.P.M.
                              Maybe one of several ways to spot A.I. junk might be a grammar and spell check with 100% correct on both as a means to tip off humans and help spot A.I. generated junk.
                              Sadly, AI bots will learn how to blend in better by intentionally being mediocre at spelling and grammar.

                              So...did we add four more panels yet?

                              Dave W. Gilbert AZ
                              6.63kW grid-tie owner

                              Comment

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