Can I add more panels to my existing solar energy system?

Interested in adding more panels to your roof? We can help with that. We’ll explain how many solar panels you need to power your home, why your solar energy system may not produce 100% of your solar energy needs, what you need to know when adding additional panels, and a few other things that will help clarify the solar panel additions.

How many solar panels do I need to power my home?

This depends on several factors, including the size of your home, how much sunlight your area gets, how big your roof is, and how much power you consume. For this reason, every solar energy system from Vivint Solar is tailored to your energy needs.

Why doesn’t my solar energy system offset 100% of my solar energy needs?

The short answer is because your habits may have changed since getting solar. We used your utility bill to custom design a solar energy system that would meet the energy needs of your household. If you suspect that your system isn’t producing enough energy, it’s possible that you’ve started consuming more energy since activating your solar energy system. Additional energy consumption is often the result of new appliances or consumption behaviors, such as:

• Getting a pool or hot tub installed
• Running heat or air conditioning for longer periods of time
• Getting an electric vehicle
• The introduction of medical devices
• A new person living in your home

All of these things have an impact on your electric bill, so you end up pulling more from the electric company because your solar panels can’t keep up.

Can I add more solar panels to produce more power?

Yes you can, though there are some things you’ll want to keep in mind when thinking about adding more solar panels on your roof. To ensure you’re making the right decision for your household, consider the following:

• A bigger system doesn’t necessarily equal more savings. If you monitor your bill and have a clear understanding of when and how much your utility charges you for energy, it’s possible that paying for a larger system may actually negate the cost savings brought in by your solar energy system. For more information, check out What are “Time of Use” Rates?
• You may be consuming more energy than you realize. There are a lot of factors that influence solar savings (production). Be sure to carefully consider all of them before deciding to add more panels to your solar energy system. Some of the big ones are: “time of use” rates, seasonality (how solar works on winter days and cloudy days) the time of year, the size of your household, etc.
• Adding more panels may impact your tax rebate. If you signed a Loan or Cash Purchase Agreement, you may be eligible for Federal solar tax credits or incentives. In some areas, adding additional panels could mean forfeiting your rebate. Be sure to check out the website for your State Energy Office to determine whether or not more panels will impact your tax rebate and how.

If you’ve reviewed your options and still want to add more panels to your system, great! We’d love to help you with that. Just give us a call and a Vivint Solar specialist will start the process for you. Keep in mind that—in some areas—legislation or utility requirements prohibit homeowners from adding additional panels onto an existing system.

What does the process of adding additional panels to your home look like?

If you’re eligible, you’ll go through almost the exact same process as you did when you first signed up for your Vivint solar system. It also means that you’ll have two solar energy systems on your roof for which we will bill you separately. 1. You’ll Contact Us and we’ll assess your solar energy needs over the phone. 2. You’ll receive a customized system design that you’ll review. 3. Once you’ve approved the design, we’ll schedule an appointment for our technicians, go visit your home and instal the additional panels. Again, this will be a separate system that works in conjunction with your existing solar energy system, which means you’ll receive two bills; one for each system. 4. We’ll arrange for the system to be permitted and inspected by your local municipality. 5. We’ll work with your utility company until they give you permission to operate your additional panels.

How much more power could my system produce by adding solar panels?

This depends on a lot of different things, including: the size of your current solar energy system, why it’s not meeting the energy needs of your household, the legislation requirements in your area, the requirements of your utility and municipality, and other factors. The best way for us to answer this question is to Contact Us so we can perform an energy assessment with you over the phone.

How much does it cost to add more solar panels to my home?

The answer to this question also depends on the number of additional panels you choose to add as well as the factors mentioned above. We’ll do everything we can to get you the lowest possible price on solar panels. It’s important to us that you find the best possible deal. Again, in order to be sure, just reach out to us so we can perform an energy assessment with you over the phone.

If I already have solar panels from another company, can I add Vivint Solar panels to my roof?

Yep. Keep in mind that you will receive three different bills—one from your utility company, one from your existing solar provider, and one from us. If you reach out to us, we may be able to reduce the cost of your utility bill even if your current solar provider has a set cost for the energy your system produces.