If you’re thinking about installing solar panels on your home, you may need to upgrade your main electrical panel. This is especially true if your home is older or if you plan to install a battery storage system.
In this post, we’ll discuss the main panel upgrade requirements for solar and batteries, what information to be shared with your solar or battery installer as well as some of the smart panel options available in the market. Sometimes, by using the right combination of inverter and solar panels, you can avoid a main panel upgrade that would require additional permit and paperwork with your utility company.
We’ll also explain how solar with smart panels and batteries can improve reliability by keeping all critical loads on during a blackout and also help reduce electricity bills.
What is a Main Electrical Panel?
Your main electrical panel is the central hub for all of the electrical wiring in your home. It’s where the power from the utility company enters your home and is distributed to different circuits. The main panel contains a number of breakers, which protect the circuits from overloading. Before a homeowner can integrate battery storage into their solar system, a main panel upgrade might be necessary.
Most older homes are equipped with electrical panels that were not designed to handle the energy flow required for solar battery storage systems. These traditional panels might not have sufficient capacity or lack the necessary circuit breakers for the safe integration of batteries.
Main Panel Upgrade Requirements for Solar
If you’re installing solar panels on your home, you’ll need to make sure that your main electrical panel is up to the task. The main breaker in your panel needs to be rated for at least 200 amps for a typical home load, and you may also need to add additional breakers depending on your home requirements.
The exact requirements for your main panel upgrade will depend on the size of your solar system and the type of battery storage system you plan to install. Your solar installer will be able to assess your needs and recommend the appropriate upgrade. It would be good to share your panel details with your installer prior to obtaining a quote. Sometimes a main panel upgrade might run into several thousand dollars. That might come in as a hidden charge post the execution of the contract with the installer.
How to check if you need a main panel upgrade?
There are a number of reasons why a homeowner might need a main panel upgrade. Some of the most common reasons include:
- The main panel is old or outdated. If your panel is older, it may be time for an upgrade.
- The main panel is not large enough to accommodate your current electrical needs. If you have added a lot of new appliances or electronics to your home, your main panel may not be able to handle the increased load.
- The main panel is damaged or faulty. If your main panel has been damaged by a power surge or other event, it may need to be replaced.
Benefits of a Main Panel Upgrade
There are a number of benefits to performing a main panel upgrade. Some of the most important ones include:
- Safety: A new main panel is safer than an old or outdated panel. This is because new panels are made with fire-resistant materials and have built-in safety features that can help prevent electrical fires.
- Reliability: A new main panel is more reliable than an old or outdated panel. This is because new panels are made with better materials and are less likely to fail.
- Capacity: With a new main panel upgrade, a panel can accommodate more electrical load than an old or outdated panel. This means that you will be able to add more appliances and electronics to your home without overloading the panel.
- Efficiency: Newer main panels are more energy-efficient than older panels. This is because they are made with better materials and have features that can help reduce energy waste.
- Tax benefits: The cost of a main panel upgrade may be eligible for the federal investment tax credit (ITC). The ITC is a tax credit that can be used to offset the cost of certain energy-efficient upgrades, including main panel upgrades.
Smart Panels
In addition to upgrading your main panel, you may also want to consider installing a smart panel. Smart panels are equipped with features that can help you monitor your energy usage and troubleshoot problems. They can also be used to integrate solar battery storage system.
Some of the benefits of smart panels include:
- Remote monitoring: You can monitor your energy usage and troubleshoot problems from anywhere with an internet connection.
- Automated load shedding: Smart panels can automatically shed non-essential loads during a power outage, keeping critical loads on.
- Grid-interactive capabilities: Smart panels can help you maximize the benefits of solar and battery storage by intelligently managing the flow of energy between your home and the grid.
Solar with Smart Panels and Batteries
Solar with smart panels and batteries can provide a number of benefits, including:
- Increased reliability: During a power outage, your smart panel can automatically shed non-essential loads, keeping critical loads on, such as your refrigerator, sump pump, and security system.
- Reduced electricity bills: Solar can help you reduce your electricity bills by offsetting your reliance on the grid. Batteries can further reduce your bills by storing excess solar energy for use during peak demand hours or during power outages.
- Increased energy independence: Solar with batteries can give you greater energy independence, reducing your reliance on the grid.
If you’re considering solar panel installation on your home, be sure to talk to a solar installer about the main panel upgrade requirements and the benefits of smart panels.
If you’re thinking about installing solar panels on your home, it’s important to understand the main panel upgrade requirements. By upgrading your main panel, you can ensure that your solar system is safe and reliable. You may also want to consider installing a smart panel. Which can provide a number of additional benefits, such as remote monitoring and automated load shedding.
Solar with smart panels and batteries can provide a number of benefits, including increased reliability, reduced electricity bills, and increased energy independence. If you’re interested in learning more, be sure to talk to us at 510-737-6228 or email us at info@nabuenergy.com