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Man upon a roof applying and adding more panels onto a home

Should You Expand Your Solar System? The Benefits and Considerations for Adding More Solar Panels

September 25, 20246 min read

Man on top of roof top applying more solar panels onto a roof.

Solar power has become a popular solution for homeowners seeking clean, renewable energy that’s both environmentally friendly and cost-effective. But what happens after you’ve already installed a solar system? Should you consider expanding by adding more panels? For some homeowners, the answer is a clear yes, while for others, it might not be the ideal move. In this blog post, we'll explore the benefits of expanding your solar system and discuss scenarios where adding more panels may or may not make sense.

1. Meet Increased Energy Demands

One of the most compelling reasons to consider adding more solar panels is if your energy demands have increased. Over time, as families grow or new appliances and electronics are added, your household's electricity usage may be significantly higher than when you first installed your solar system. Adding more panels helps ensure that your solar setup can keep up with those evolving energy needs, reducing or eliminating your reliance on the grid.

For instance, if you’ve recently purchased an electric vehicle (EV), the power required to charge it at home will likely increase your overall electricity consumption. An EV is a great investment, but it demands a lot of energy. Adding more solar panels can help offset the increased load from charging your EV, ensuring you can maintain energy efficiency and independence.

2. Increasing Your Savings

A key motivator for adding more solar panels is the potential to increase your energy savings. When your system generates more electricity, you reduce your need to buy energy from the utility company. If your current system doesn’t fully cover your energy needs, expanding your solar array can help reduce your bill even further.

However, it’s important to consider that expanding your solar system may not always lead to dramatic savings if your current system is already effectively covering your needs. In some cases, adding more panels than you need could lead to excess electricity production that’s not fully compensated, depending on your local utility policies. This means you could end up with panels producing more energy than you consume, without a significant financial return. For homeowners in areas with less favorable net metering policies, this may result in additional costs without proportionate benefits.

3. Take Advantage of Available Incentives

One benefit of expanding your solar system now is the availability of various incentives and rebates. Many federal, state, and local programs provide financial support to homeowners for installing solar energy systems, including system expansions. These incentives can help reduce the overall cost of installation and provide a faster return on investment.

The federal solar tax credit (also known as the Investment Tax Credit, or ITC) allows homeowners to deduct a percentage of their solar installation costs from their federal taxes. This includes adding new panels to an existing system. However, incentives like the ITC won’t be available forever and may decrease in the coming years, so if you’re considering expanding your solar system, now may be an opportune time to do so.

4. Enhance Your Home’s Value

Expanding your solar system can also increase your home’s value, making it more attractive to potential buyers. Homes with robust solar systems that cover more energy needs are often seen as more appealing, as they come with the promise of lower energy bills and increased energy independence.

On the flip side, it’s important to consider whether expanding your solar system is the right move for your particular circumstances. If you plan to sell your home soon and your current solar setup is already effective, adding more panels may not necessarily increase your home’s value enough to justify the cost, particularly if the additional energy production exceeds a typical household’s needs.

5. Support a Greener Environment

Adding more solar panels doesn’t just benefit your wallet; it’s also a great way to contribute positively to the environment. The more solar energy you produce, the less fossil fuel-based energy is needed, which means a reduced carbon footprint. Expanding your solar array means taking a bigger role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting a greener future for the community.

However, not every homeowner may benefit from adding more panels from an environmental perspective. If your existing solar system already provides sufficient power for your household, adding more panels may not have a significant impact on the grid. In some cases, excess electricity generation may not always be efficiently utilized if the local infrastructure cannot accommodate it.

6. Battery Storage for Extra Solar Energy

Adding more solar panels can also open up opportunities for integrating battery storage into your system. A solar battery allows you to store excess energy generated during the day and use it during the evening or when the sun isn’t shining. This setup can make your household more energy-independent and ensure you always have power during outages.

For homeowners with increasing energy demands such as those with an electric vehicle battery storage can be a practical way to manage energy consumption, especially during peak hours when electricity costs are higher. But it’s important to remember that battery systems add an additional cost to your solar setup, and if your energy needs haven’t significantly increased, a battery may not offer enough value to make it worthwhile.

7. The Downsides: It Isn’t for Everyone

While expanding your solar system can offer numerous benefits, it isn’t necessarily the right choice for every homeowner. One important factor to consider is whether the added panels will actually be cost effective for your specific situation. If your current solar system already offsets a large portion of your energy consumption, adding more panels may lead to excess energy generation without providing enough financial return.

For instance, if your household energy needs haven’t changed and your energy bills are already minimal, the added cost of more panels might not justify the savings they bring. Additionally, in some areas, utility companies do not offer favorable net metering policies, meaning you won’t be compensated adequately for sending excess energy back to the grid. This means that the financial returns from expanding your solar system could be limited.

Another consideration is the cost of maintaining and upgrading your solar setup. More panels require more maintenance, and expanding your system also means considering potential upgrades to your inverter or other components to handle the increased load. Not all homeowners are ready to take on these added responsibilities or costs.

Conclusion

Adding more solar panels to your existing system can be a great decision, especially if your energy needs have grown due to lifestyle changes like adding an electric vehicle or expanding your home. Expanding your solar system allows you to increase energy savings, boost your home’s value, and make a positive environmental impact. However, it’s not a one size fits all solution, and for some homeowners, the extra investment may not be worthwhile.

If your current energy consumption is already covered, expanding might lead to unnecessary costs without significant added benefits. Before making the decision to add more panels, it’s crucial to evaluate your current and future energy needs, consider the incentives available, and ensure that the expansion will provide a good return on your investment. By carefully weighing the pros and cons, you can make an informed decision about whether expanding your solar system is the right move for you and your household.

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