Project Overview
If you’ve already started your solar journey, it doesn’t have to end at that initial installation – as solar continues to evolve, so can your opportunities as a homeowner. Whether your motive for going solar is to save on utility bills, reduce your reliance on the grid or if it’s to leave a greener footprint on the planet, that step to go solar has a significant movement towards a sustainable resilient future.
If you’re happy with your current system but you want more – here are a few options on how you can expand and why you should do so.
Before you add additional solar panels, you need to consider whether you need them. If you’re still paying a good amount for electricity and plan to use more electricity in the future, then an expansion might be a good option.
The next thing you need to consider before an expansion is whether it is even possible. Though you may want an expansion, do you have the roof space available for it? Does your service panel have the space for it? Before you start your expansion, begin with a trusted installer so they can determine if you have the roof space and if it’s enough for additional panels. They can also check your service panel for you to determine if there’s room. Your service panel may have a limit on how many more panels you can tie into it.
Solar is evolving and new technology is released, depending on how old your current system is, you may have to figure out if you can find your matching solar panels and inverters. If you have an existing string inverter, you will have to find a match to the solar panels from your original installation. If you’re having no luck finding matching panels, you can still do an expansion by creating a separate system but with a new inverter. Installing a new inverter may sound scary, but if you’ve had your inverter for 10-plus years, most likely, you’re going to have to update it soon anyway. While you’re replacing that old inverter, you can expand your current system and choose a larger inverter system.
If your existing system isn’t performing how you’d like and it’s not meeting your electricity needs, it may be the right time for an upgrade. If your electricity consumption is no longer keeping up with your system and is generating less power than you need, replacing your existing panels with newer panels that will increase your growing energy demands and that are more efficient might be a good choice. The same thing applies to your electricity bills – if you notice an increasing bill, this might be because your current systems not proving enough power. Another indicator that you should consider an upgrade is if you notice that your inverter is having performance issues and errors. A couple of things to look out for are flickering lights or a lack of capacity. The last thing to consider before doing an upgrades and adding more panels is your electric panel capacity. Work with your solar installer to understand if your electric service will be able to handle the addition of more solar capacity.
If you’re looking to increase your energy independence but you’re not sure about getting additional panels or maybe you don’t have the roof space, a battery backup system is a good idea. Battery solutions give you the freedom to reduce your reliance on the grid, control your energy consumption and protect your home during a power outage. All with power generated by the sun. Solar batteries can ensure you have power in the event of a grid outage, and they can increase the amount of solar energy your home consumes by storing the energy your solar system produces for future use at night when the sun’s not shining. When you have a battery bank, you can charge during low-rate periods when the demand for electricity is lower and discharge during the more expensive rate periods when the electricity demand is higher.
When first installed your system and you knew you wanted a battery backup system, eventually, your inverter may already be ready for installation. Other options for you if you if didn’t think of a battery in the near future are a DC-coupled system or an AC-coupled system. If you choose a DC coupled system, your current inverter system will need to be replaced with one that works with a battery and solar system – these are hybrid inverter systems. A DC coupled system works by the power your solar produces, that power is used to charge the battery, the power is then passed through your new inverter which converts the power into AC. The other option is an AC coupled system. This system will use your current inverter as well as an additional inverter to charge your battery. From there, your current inverter and your added inverter will send power to your battery as you produce more and more electricity.
In conclusion, the journey into solar power doesn’t have to conclude with the initial installation. It’s a dynamic and evolving landscape, offering ongoing opportunities for homeowners to enhance their sustainability efforts, reduce reliance on the grid, and reap greater benefits from their investment. Whether you’re considering expanding your current system with additional panels, upgrading existing ones, or integrating battery storage solutions, the potential for growth is substantial.
Expanding your solar capacity can be a strategic move, especially if you’re experiencing increased energy needs or aiming to further reduce utility costs. However, it’s essential to assess feasibility by consulting with trusted installers to determine roof space availability and compatibility with existing infrastructure. With advancements in technology, options abound, from matching existing components to creating separate systems with newer inverters.
Moreover, the integration of battery storage presents a compelling opportunity to bolster energy independence and resilience. Beyond providing backup power during outages, batteries enable homeowners to optimize energy consumption, store surplus energy for later use, and take advantage of fluctuating electricity rates.
Reach out to Kokosing Solar -weather we were your initial installer or not – to learn more about expanding your solar energy system.
Whether it’s through additional panels, upgrades, or battery storage, expanding your solar setup is a strategic investment in a sustainable, resilient future.
In Ohio Community Solar is a program that allows individuals to share the benefits of solar that they may not be able to achieve with a single solar energy system.
Community Solar was designed to provide solar energy to people who are unable to install solar on their properties for whatever reason that may be – maybe they rent their home or don’t have enough available sunny space on their rooftop to get a solar panel system that meets 100% of their energy needs.
Whatever the case, Community Solar gives individuals the opportunity to own their renewable energy system, while getting credit on their electric bill.
Community Solar projects create electricity from the sunlight and that electricity flows into the utility grid, share owners then sell the energy generated back to the local utility company.
There are two models for Community Solar: Ownership and Subscription
With a subscription community Solar model, a solar field is owned and operated by a third party developer. This means they will receive some of the financial benefit. Community Solar members pay for a share of the electricity that is generated by their project, they will then receive a credit from the dollar value generated by the project. Members can be given a certain number of solar panels in the project or they purchase a certain amount of electricity.
When you purchase a number of panels, this is called an ownership model. If you are under an ownership model you will receive credits based on panels that you own in the project, which can save you money on your electric bill. The full benefits – tax benefits and electric savings – go to the owners of the solar field. This is an owned asset for the member-owners.
Community Solar gives everyone the opportunity to have the benefits of solar energy, even if/when they’re unable to have a system of their own.
It gives individuals the chance to save on their electric bills, lock in their electricity rates, help the community earn money and create jobs.
Currently Community Solar is under debate in the Ohio legislature. House Bill 197 was introduced in 2023 and would make Community Solar an option for Ohioans. As of now, it is not.
In 2023, State Representatives Jim Hoops (R- District 81) and Sharon Ray (R- District 66) introduced House Bill 197. The objective of Ohio HB 197 is to establish the first Community Solar Pilot Program in Ohio.
If adopted, we imagine third party developers and interested owners alike will move quickly to adopt the benefits of a Community Solar program here in Ohio!
Thinking about going solar but you’re just not sure yet? Here are just a few reasons to switch to clean, renewable energy!
Although saving money by eliminating your electricity bill is nice, going solar is more than that. Going solar can reduce your carbon footprint majorly – instead of pulling from the grid and purchasing carbon-emitting electricity, you can pull directly from your solar panels and produce clean, renewable energy.
Think of it like this, for every one residential solar system, we’re eliminating 3-4 tons of carbon emissions, that’s nearly 100 trees being planted a year!
When you go solar, you’re making a leap in the right direction by battling climate change and building a more sustainable future.
Going solar can decrease or even eliminate your electricity bills. By going solar you’ll be able to generate your own power for free for the entirety of your system’s lifespan.
Even on cloudy days your solar panels can absorb energy from both direct and indirect sunlight.
Solar panels can set the price you pay for electricity lower than what you would be paying if you were getting all of your energy from the grid, roughly 8 cents per kWh, the average being 16.6 cents per kWh.
When going solar you become less dependent on the grid. By being less dependent on the grid, the chance of losing power and the risk of an increased utility bill will decrease. When you have solar, you can produce your own electricity and have more control of your consumption and cost.
Ohio residents going solar can receive tax credits on their solar PV systems. Some incentives available in Ohio for 2024 are the Federal Solar Tax Credit & $0 down financing options.
On average, homes with solar panels sell for 4.1% more than homes without solar. The value the solar panels add to the home gives real estate agents and sellers the opportunity to bump the price up for a home. The buyers benefit from the energy-efficient home, and the sellers can profit from this increased value.
The solar industry provides multiple jobs in manufacturing, installation, maintenance, sales, and research and development, making it a major source of employment. With each Solar project, individuals find meaningful work that pushes for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
On a larger scale, transitioning to solar energy can yield significant global advantages, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing the impact of climate change, and encouraging international collaboration on clean energy solutions.
Solar can create an opportunity for education and awareness within communities. Places like schools, universities, and community centers can use solar energy as a teaching point on renewable energy, environmental responsibility, and sustainable living.
Solar can be a reliable source for electricity during grid outages, making sure that your essential appliances and devices remain up and running even when the grid fails – when adding a battery to your system your home can conserve your electricity supply at night or even during extended outages.
Investing in solar is a commitment to a brighter and more sustainable future. If you’re considering a solar panel installation in Ohio – reach out! We welcome the opportunity to speak with you about your ideas, goals and space for your solar energy project.
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