Your main panel is where electrical power is distributed into your home. It is where grid power connects from the utility line, but it is also where you will connect the power from your solar panel system. Your main panel needs to be properly configured to accept a solar connection. However, depending on how your home was designed, it is possible that the panel is not yet ready.
This is why you will need to know if your main panel is “solar ready” for the new power connection.
Understanding Your Main Electrical Panel
Your main electrical panel distributes electricity through bus bars and circuit breakers. Each breaker can support a certain average rating. Most main panels are sized for 100-amp, 200-amp, and 400-amp. Higher ratings are better for solar connections. It’s also better to have a newer main panel than an old panel with outdated wiring or old-school breakers.
Signs Your Panel May Not Be Solar Ready
How do you know if your main panel is not solar ready? Check for a few key features like the amperage, open breaker slots, and the panel type. You should also check the panel’s overall condition and safety.
Signs your main panel is not yet solar-ready include:
- Not enough amperage capacity
- No empty breaker spaces
- Outdated or unsafe panel times
- examples: Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels
- Signs of wear-and-tear
- Damaged panels
- Corroded connections
- Non-compliant with current electrical codes.
Assessing Your Panel’s Solar Readiness
Preparing your main panel for solar starts by assessing its current condition. This can be done in a simple 5-step process that your solar installers can perform during your initial assessment.
- Check your panel’s amperage rating
- Count the available breaker spaces
- Calculate your current electrical load
- Estimate how much additional load will be added by solar panels
- Plan for upgrades, if necessary.
It is essential to plan a professional inspection. If necessary, hire an electrician to make the necessary upgrades, like more amperage rating or additional breaker slots.
Options for Non-Solar Ready Panels
What can you do if your main panel is not ready for a solar panel connection yet? Fortunately, this is a problem commonly solved during the preliminary stages of a solar panel installation.
- Panel upgrade or replacement: Install a new main panel that meets the advanced requirements
- Install a subpanel: Add a secondary panel that is optimized for solar
- Load-size tapping: Connect the solar inverter to the main panel directly through a circuit breaker
- Supply-side connection: Connects the solar inverter to the service entrance conductors in a junction box.
Discuss the potential costs and effects on your electrical system with your solar installers and electrician as you explore the options for your home solar installation.
Get Your Main Panel Solar-Ready
In some homes, the main panel is modern and spacious, ready for a new solar panel system connection without any upgrades or alterations. However, it is also quite normal for your home to have an older or small-scale main panel that may need to be upgraded before your solar panels can safely provide power to the house. Contact us today to get a free quote on a solar panel system.
