If you’re considering installing a solar PV system in your home, you may have heard of expandable solar PV systems. Due to lifestyle changes including welcoming new family members or starting to work from home, the electricity consumption of a household can quickly increase.
If you’re anticipating these sorts of changes to occur when you initially purchase your solar PV system, it may be worth investing in one that is easily expandable.
Expandable Systems with Micro-Inverters
About Micro Inverter Solar Systems
In a micro inverter solar system, there is no one central inverter. Instead, for every panel you install on your roof, you’ll also add one micro inverter, usually to the back of the panel.
Like a standard string inverter, micro inverters convert the DC electricity your panels produce into AC electricity which is used in your home. Unlike standard string inverters however, micro inverters do this at the source, converting the electricity of every panel separately. This effectively negates the need for a separate string inverter.
For more information on the difference between standard inverters and micro inverters, click here.
Pros of an Expandable Micro Inverter Solar System
Choosing a micro inverter system gives you the flexibility to start out small and expand as your situation changes. Because every panel has its own micro inverter, you can literally add one panel at a time.
Plus, as each panel works independently (unlike the panels in a traditional solar power system set up), if one panel in your system goes down or is underperforming due to shade or manufacturing defects, the rest of your panels will still be working at maximum output.
This also means you have far greater flexibility when deciding on which panels to add to your system when you choose to expand, as you won’t be restricted to panels of near or identical wattage.
Cons of Expandable Micro-Inverter Solar System
While micro inverter systems give you greater flexibility, they are more expensive than systems with standard string inverters.
Expandable Systems with a Standard String Inverter
About Standard String Inverter Systems
In a standard string inverter solar PV system, all your panels are connected to one central inverter, which is solely responsible for converting the DC electricity your panels generated into AC electricity for your home.
For a standard string inverter system to be expandable, the solar panel array on your roof simply needs to have a rated capacity that is lower than your inverter. This will allow you to increase the number of solar panels on your roof at a later stage if you wish to do so.
Pros of an Expandable Standard String Inverter System
Choosing to invest in an expandable standard string inverter system is a great option for those on a budget. For example, if you have space on your roof for a 5kW array (around 20 panels) but only have the budget to purchase 3kW worth, you can purchase a 5kW inverter and add 2kW worth of panels in the future. This also means you don’t have to pay for a full installation twice, saving on future costs.
In many states across Australia, the size of your inverter will impact the feed-in tariff rate you are offered for any exported solar electricity. If you start with a smaller inverter and need to upgrade in the future, you’ll have to sign a new contract with revised feed-in rates, which could be significantly less than your previous rate. By choosing a larger inverter that can easily be expanded on, you can keep your old feed-in rate.
Cons of an Expandable Standard String Inverter System
Unlike a micro inverter solar system where you’re able to add panels as you go, expanding a standard string inverter system requires some forethought. You’ll have to take your future circumstances into consideration, and think about what kind of energy requirements you expect to have in order to size your inverter correctly.
Plus, as all panels are connected in a standard string inverter systems, the mixing and matching of panel types and sizes does not work well. It may mean you’re restricted about what panels you can purchase and add to your system in the future.
Is it Better to Size Your System Larger Than Your Needs or Have the Option to Expand Later?
As no two households are the same, the best course of action will heavily depend on your current and future electricity needs. Expanding your system at a later date is always going to end up being more complex and costing more than installing the right size system to begin with.
However, if you think you’ll need a bigger system in the future, or are financially unable to buy the system you want now, we recommend choosing a system that will give you the option to expand later, rather than installing a system much too large for your current needs. This will ensure you don’t waste money on an oversized system, and pay for electricity your house will only export to the grid.
The best way to get good, honest advice for your situation is to request quotes from multiple local solar providers, which you can get by clicking here.
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For some households a battery system can be of great benefit and minimise a home’s reliance on the grid. However, it’s important to understand for a battery to be useful your solar system needs to be generating excess energy for the battery to store, which you can then use at night or when the sun is not out.
When selecting a battery, you’ll want to invest in a system that is most suited to your home and can drive the best return on investment (ROI). Despite a larger upfront cost, a higher quality battery may significantly increase your ROI.
Battery systems start from $6,000 and costs can vary greatly based on the following factors:
Cycle Life-Time
The number of times a battery can fully charge and discharge.
Battery Power (kW)
How fast it can be charged or discharged.
Storage Capacity (kWh)
The maximum amount of energy a battery system can store.
Battery Management System (BMS)
An electronic ‘smart’ system that gathers data and manages the battery ensuring it does not overload or operate outside of its safe functioning zone..
Inverter
Battery systems require their own inverter if your solar system does not have a hybrid inverter.
'All-In-One Unit’
A system which includes the battery, BMS and an inverter all in one unit.
Warranty
Length of time or cycles the battery system is under guarantee.
Blackout Protection/Backup
It’s important to note this is not a common feature of a battery system and could cost thousands of dollars to include. Blackout protection not only requires additional components but also a specialised installation and rewiring. For grid-connected homes, the cost for blackout protection can outweigh the benefit.
Additionally, if your purpose for adding battery is to go Off-Grid and become completely independent from the grid you will need to ensure your solar system can generate enough energy to power your home and your battery system is large enough to store this energy. For homes in metro areas going Off-grid is not cost effective and is only recommended for those in remote areas with limited access to the grid. Off-grid solar systems with battery start at approximately $30,000.
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