Upgrading an Old Solar System: Solar energy is becoming an increasingly popular way to power homes and businesses around the world, as awareness of its many benefits continues to grow. If you’re among the growing number of people who are thinking about making the switch to solar energy, it’s important to do your research first.
If your solar panels are starting to show their age, don’t worry–you have options. Even though solar panels are designed to last for decades, over time they may experience defects, wear and tear, or a drop in electricity production.
Here are three things you need to know before upgrading your old solar system.
- Replacement of One or Two Parts
Replacing some individual parts might be your best bet if you’ve noticed any common solar panel defects affecting your system. Your original solar installer company can often help you get the right parts for your specific system. However, keep in mind that some potential issues could come up when you try to switch out parts this way.
- Solar panel replacements: If individual panels are not working correctly due to microcracks or snail trails, you may want to replace them. The first problem you could face when trying to replace panels is finding substitutes. With older panels, the manufacturer may not have the same model in stock, or the company may have gone out of business.
- Inverters: If your solar energy system isn’t performing as it should, one possibility is that you need to replace your inverters. Microinverters typically last around 25 years, while string inverters need to be replaced every 10 to 15 years. If you’re replacing older string inverters with microinverters, your installer will need to remove all your panels and add a microinverter to each one.
- Replacement of Whole Solar Panel System
If your system is truly nearing the end of its lifespan, your best option might be to replace the entire thing. This is because when a system reaches this point, it is not individual parts that are the issue, but the degradation of the system as a whole.
There are a few potential downsides to replacing your entire HVAC system, rather than just replacing individual parts. First, it tends to be more expensive to do a full system replacement. Additionally, your installer will need to remove your existing system and install the new one, which can be disruptive and time-consuming.
The good thing is you’ll see a big jump in your power output. Your new system will make more energy than your old one did when it was new. That’s because new panels are more efficient than old ones.
- Expanding Your Solar Panel System
If you’re happy with your current solar setup but want more power, you can opt to expand your system. This usually means your installer will add another, smaller system to work alongside your existing one.
The new system will be more powerful due to the advancement of solar panel technology. But before you go ahead with this, check that you have enough space on your roof or garage to accommodate the new system.
For many installers, this is the preferable option to replacing panels as it’s less hassle to match the original system.
Conclusion
If your solar energy panels are starting to wear out or aren’t producing enough energy, you have options. Replacing parts is fairly inexpensive, so if you have a small budget you can try this route. However, if you want a big energy boost, you’ll definitely have to replace your old solar system.
The good thing is when your solar panels aren’t working as they used to, you have some options. Here is what you can do: it’s best to talk to your local solar company installer if you’re having issues with your system, and they can help you decide the best course of action to take.
Simmitri is the best solar company in San Jose that can help you with solar installation or solar panel roof replacement. For more details, contact us today.