Good Day All

I need some advice on adding panels please,

My system consists of the following:

8kw Sunsynk inverter

7kw BSL Batt

8 x 540W JA Solar panels connected 4 facing East on MPPT 1 and 4 panels facing west on MPPT 2.

Having had the system now for 3 months I realised that some additional panels would be needed for the Western Cape Winter so I want to add 6 more panels.

I wanted to confirm can I add 3 extra panels to each MPPT string hence having a total of 7 panels on each MPPT? I know the 14 panels are within the inverter limits but not sure if this will be within the voltage limits.

I have enough roof space so will just be connected them to the other panels.

Is this as simple as just connecting them to the other 4 panels on each side?

Is this something that can be done DIY? Would I need to re-apply for the SSEG from the City of Cape Town again?

I will be getting the panels from Herholdts, any advice where I can obtain a 6 panel fixing kit for a normal tiled roof?

I am fairly comfortable with DIY but would it rather be recommended to use an installer for this, I dont mind spending some extra cash if there are signficant risks involved in doing this.

Lastly what would be an expected installation costs for the 6 panels more or less if deciding to rather go with an installer.

Thanks guys, appreciate all the input and assistance.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 13, 20242 yr by CTskollie
Made some changes

The Voltage limits should be okay. I say that, but you should the check Voc spec of your planned panel, which is most likely around 50V each. The inverter can handle seven of those in series with a 350V input per MPPT.

4 hours ago, CTskollie said:

I am fairly comfortable with DIY but would it rather be recommended to use an installer for this, I dont mind spending some extra cash if there are signficant risks involved in doing this.

First of all you will need a full body safety harness when working with panels on any roof. Secondly if you don't have experience fitting the brackets for the mounting rails it could become a challenge and you might end up with a leaking roof and damaged ceilings. I would suggest if you haven't done it before rather get an installer to fit the extra panels.

4 hours ago, CTskollie said:

Would I need to re-apply for the SSEG from the City of Cape Town again

You don't need to re-apply you are registered and that is all they want. In the application form there is inverter specs filled in but they don't ask questions about solar array. The only change will be the actual drawing you submitted with the application to coct. Get a updated drawing showing the extra panels and send it to them to remove the old drawing and use the updated drawing.

4 hours ago, CTskollie said:

any advice where I can obtain a 6 panel fixing kit for a normal tiled roof?

Should you decide to go the diy route you can obtain the brackets and rails from Valsa they are in Montague Gardens info below in link.

https://valsa.co.za/product-category/mounting-structure-components/mounting-brackets/tiled-roof/

 

Thank you @TaliaBfor the response, will chat to my installer on his availability. Was only checking if DIY is feasible as he has quite a large lead time for installation.

Would leave it to the professionals instead though, no point in being in a hurry and sitting with endless problems with a roof after.

Well same challenge as me, we added additional panels. The cost of installation was going to be too high if we bought panels ourselves and the project too small for the installer so we offered them to supply and installed. We have been waiting for 4 weeks already.  Did you say your battery storage capacity is 7kWh?, I know batteries are the most costly part of the system but given the size of your other components might consider adding more batteries to help in winter etc.

Edited May 22, 20242 yr by Kory