What is Over Sizing?
Common practice in the past has seen solar power installers installing certain size systems according to the capacity of the inverter. E.G. 20 x 250w panels on a 5kW inverter giving you a 5kW system.
Over sizing is installing a few more panels on a string or inverter and going over the inverters rated DC output. E.G. 24 x 250w panels on a 5kW inverter giving you a 6kW system
Why would you over size your system?
In the past, the grid operators were approving almost all solar power systems of any size to be connected to the local electricity grid. As time went on the grids started reaching capacity so the authorities started to restrict the size of systems. With the local energy authorities or grid operators restricting the amount of solar power connected to the grid it makes sense to try and get as much as you can out of what you have been approved for.
Is over sizing going to damage my inverter?
If it is done correctly over sizing will not do any damage. What most people don’t realise is that solar panels very rarely produce the amount of power they are rated for. So a 250W solar panel will not output 250W at any one time unless a number of conditions are perfect from the sun being at the right angle to cool temperatures, no pollution etc.
There are even losses in the cable that carries the electricity to the inverter. There are more losses when the inverter converts the DC electricity to usable AC electricity. All of these factors result in a panel producing less than what it is rated at.
In general we are able to over size between 120 and 133% without overloading the inverter and clipping the power produced.
You should ask you installer if you are able to oversize your system. It is worth it for the future as energy prices are always going to increase so why not make the most of what you can get. As always chose quality inverters, solar panels and not forgetting a quality installer. That way you can rest assured that your system will give you the best return possible.
Contact Evolution Solar Sunshine Coast if you would like some local, friendly and reliable advice.