Joining the Renewable Heating Hub forums is completely free and only takes a minute. By registering you’ll be able to ask questions, join discussions, follow topics you’re interested in, bookmark useful threads and receive notifications when someone replies. Non-registered members also do not have access to our AI features. When choosing your username, please note that it cannot be changed later, so we recommend avoiding brand or product names. Before registering, please take a moment to read the Forum Rules & Terms of Use so we can keep the community helpful, respectful and informative for everyone. Thanks for joining!
DIY solar upgrade - Considering adding more panels
I have a growatt solar system with 10kw battery storage but only 2.6kw of panels could you help me with information on how to add other panels. There is a spare socket on the inverter and a spare plug, could I add another string and how. I would like to mount it on my garage which is box section steel with 4x9 inch joists so more than capable of holding them if I can purchase or make a frame to hold them.
Are you going to DIY this? How big’s your inverter, kW-wise?
Get a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Heat Pumps
Subscribe and follow our YouTube channel!
@editor yes I need to nobody is interested in fitting a few panels and certainly not on the garage. Too much bother. I posted a photo of the data tag on the inverter, not sure what figures you need but growatt told me plenty of capacity. I think I’m only allowed to go to 4kw before I need to inform the energy supplier.
@david999 I’ll be super interested to see the progress.
I think @transparent might be able to offer some helpful insights.
Get a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Heat Pumps
Subscribe and follow our YouTube channel!
To be frank,
If you don't know how to wire and are relying on a forum to talk you through it, you really shouldn't be doing it. DC volts will easily kill you! Isolating in the wrong order can break things. Get an electrician in. Mount the panels run suitable cables if you must, but leave the professional to do the wiring connections.
Use ballast trays to hold the panels, so no drilling required in to roof.
1: That inverter is a Growatt SPH3600TL. Its output is already limited to 3.68kW (16A) and no further consent is required from your DNO to add more panels.
2: Each of the two solar inputs is rated 120-550v DC at 13.5A max.
That's vastly more than the possible output from the inverter.
The inverter sorts this out automatically.
3: You already have 2.6kW (max) PV panels on one of the two inputs.
You could add a similar quantity to the other input and enjoy less of a tail-off from generation on overcast days.
4: Solar panels themselves are pretty cheap.
Look at these Longi panels, available from Midsummer.
The main costs are the scaffolding, labour and support structures required for roof mounting.
I can address the subject of aluminium roof rails later if you require that knowledge.
5: It's unlikely that you'd require anything of greater current-capability than the common 4mm (double insulated) solar cable.
You can buy this and the required MC4 connectors from Midsummer here, or a general electrical supplier like TLC-Direct here.
You need some tools, which I'll address separately if you decide to go the DIY route.
6: It's possible that the black/grey rotary isolator switch to the left of that inverter is already a 4-pole unit.
So a second pair of 4mm wires can be connected to it.
Personally I'd prefer to see more than just that switch.
I have fuses, over-current trips and lightning suppression on each solar array!
Let me stop there and hear what you think.
The comments from @johnmo about safety are well made.
I've deliberately omitted comments on safety aspects at this stage, but I have hands-on experience of how to do this work safely.
Save energy... recycle electrons!
@johnmo I’m an engineer but no experience in solar. I wouldn’t install a complete system but adding another string shouldn’t be that challenging.
@editor I will keep you informed but busy finishing off my house still after the flood. The heating got sorted and the samsung bill refunded but they were at the end of their tether with me but I reminded them that I was the victim. But altogether the room full of witchcraft became something I understand now thanks to you guys
@johnmo they seem to be fairly cheap, the ballast boxes are as much if not more. Being engineer minded and able to weld a frame together I’m thinking much cheaper, if anybody has done this before I would appreciate images of how they went about it. I would be happy with another 4 panels.
Not worth the effort to make your own 4 panel system is only £315. Or you just copy to make your own angle.
https://voltaconsolar.com/products/solar-panel-mounting-flat-roof-ballast?variant=47416621564238
- 26 Forums
- 2,676 Topics
- 62.6 K Posts
- 203 Online
- 7,090 Members
Join Us!
Installer Finder
Degrees of Separation
Latest Posts
-
Harvest Thermal - ASHP with a smart thermal battery
I thought people here might find this interesting, even...
By springswood , 2 minutes ago
-
RE: Heat pump installation quotations
@batpred The only draughty place is in the living ro...
By sttpd1917 , 21 minutes ago
-
Don't you dare. You just carry on as you are; as @batpr...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 37 minutes ago
-
RE: Heat pump design review please: 5 kW Vaillant aroTHERM Plus heat pump
@ragtime27 some rooms in our house only have one place ...
By Judith , 42 minutes ago
-
RE: Help me keep the faith with my air source heat pump installation
I didn't know about those, they look like good pieces o...
By JamesPa , 4 hours ago
-
@mkz, that's very helpful. Even if Urban Plumber are no...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 4 hours ago
-
RE: Several AC coupled batteries
That is a good point, a manufacturers can stop trading,...
By Batpred , 5 hours ago
-
My first question is why bother with the auto balancin...
By JamesPa , 5 hours ago
-
RE: Indevolt Batteries UK Support & Info Thread
Hi @hanno - good question. The range of hybrid invert...
By Transparent , 5 hours ago
-
RE: GivEnergy inverter tripping due to over-voltage?
@transparent the inverter was installed in 2021 and afa...
By Tim441 , 5 hours ago
-
I share the same experience as @majordennisbloodnok hav...
By Old_Scientist , 6 hours ago
-
RE: Say hello and introduce yourself
I hope so, @toodles. It's not often that we see a situa...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 9 hours ago
-
RE: Electricity price predictions
Good point, I do expect the bonus of putting my energy ...
By Batpred , 1 day ago
-
RE: Daikin ESPAltherma and Home Assistant installation
@bash, something we haven't touched on already relates ...
By Majordennisbloodnok , 1 day ago













