2nd inverter and solar panels

shibli
shibli Posts: 63 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
edited 13 December 2023 at 10:13AM in Green & ethical MoneySaving
Hi , 

I currently have a solar power system consisting of a Growatt SPF 4000 inverter, a 6.5 kW Growatt battery, and 4 kW of solar panels. I'm considering expanding my system by doubling the number of solar panels. My question is whether I can simply add more panels and a secondary inverter, or if it would be more beneficial to replace the existing inverter with a larger model. How would a second inverter work with new panels in conjunction with my current set-up.

TIA
Shibli
 
4kw Hyundai Solar split on East and West roofs. Growatt inveter and Growatt 6.5kw battery. iboost connected to 250ltr tank.

Comments

  • QrizB
    QrizB Posts: 16,574 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    Assuming you don't qualify for FIT payments, I suspect either approach would work.
    N. Hampshire, he/him. Octopus Intelligent Go elec & Tracker gas / Vodafone BB / iD mobile. Ripple Kirk Hill member.
    2.72kWp PV facing SSW installed Jan 2012. 11 x 247w panels, 3.6kw inverter. 33MWh generated, long-term average 2.6 Os.
    Not exactly back from my break, but dipping in and out of the forum.
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  • Screwdriva
    Screwdriva Posts: 1,422 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 13 December 2023 at 9:26PM
    I’d suggest replacing the Growatt with a larger Fronius 6kW inverter (assuming all the panels are not on a single South facing aspect) and selling the Growatt on. Better to have a reliable, single point of failure vs two unreliable points of failure. 
    -  10 x 400w LG + 6 x 550W SHARP BiFacial Panels + SE 3680 HD Wave Inverter + SE Optimizers. SE London.
    -  Triple aspect. (22% ENE/ 33% SSE/ 45% WSW)
    -  Viessmann 200-W on Advanced Weather Comp. (the most efficient gas boiler sold)

    Feel free to DM me if I can help with any energy saving!
  • shibli
    shibli Posts: 63 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I’d suggest replacing the Growatt with a larger Fronius 6kW inverter (assuming all the panels are not on a single South facing aspect) and selling the Growatt on. Better to have a reliable, single point of failure vs two unreliable points of failure. 
    Unfortunately I have the growatt batteries so not sure if it would be compatible with other brands. No FIT and roof is more west / east facing.
    4kw Hyundai Solar split on East and West roofs. Growatt inveter and Growatt 6.5kw battery. iboost connected to 250ltr tank.
  • ispookie666
    ispookie666 Posts: 1,194 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 15 December 2023 at 8:36PM
    If roof space is not limited, get a complete second system. DNO might place export limitation or cap at your current export.

    This is one of my reasons I went with Enphase, although expensive in every possible way- it does give me the flexibility of adding more panels/systems 
    “Don't raise your voice, improve your argument." - Desmond Tutu

    System 1 - 14 x 250W SunModule SW + Enphase ME215 microinverters (July 2015)
    System 2 - 9.2 KWp + Enphase IQ7+ and IQ8AC (Feb 22 & Sep 24) + Givenergy AC Coupled inverter + 2 * 8.2KWh Battery (May 2022) + Mitsubishi 7.1 KW and 2* Daikin 2.5 KW A2A Heat Pump
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