Do You Have to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel for Solar?
Solar panels are connected directly to your home’s electrical panel and you have to make sure it’s powerful enough to support them before you can install a solar energy system.
Panel upgrades can be pricey, but in many cases, they’re not necessary. Modern homes are built for an all-electric world and tend to have enough amperage to support solar. There are, however, some cases where you need to upgrade your electrical panel for solar, especially if you live in an older home.
What Does Your Electrical Panel Do?
Your electric panel (aka your breaker or fuse box) distributes electricity, either from the utility or from your solar panels, to the various circuits throughout your home. It also protects electrical circuits from overloading or short-circuiting through circuit breakers or fuses. When a circuit draws too much current, the breaker trips (or the fuse blows) to prevent potential hazards such as electrical fires.
100 vs 200 Amp Electrical Panels for Solar
Electrical panels are rated based on the total electrical load they can support, measured in amperage (amps). In the past, most houses were built with a 100 amp panel. Today, 200 amp panels are more common.
If you already have a 200 amp panel, it is very unlikely that you’ll need to upgrade it for a solar installation. A 200 amp panel is enough to handle a standard-size residential solar power system with battery storage as well as several power-hungry appliances like an EV charger.
Houses with 100 amps might need an electrical panel upgrade for solar, but not always. A standard, 100 amp electrical panel is enough to support a small, residential solar energy system. However, you should consider any future upgrades you may want to make before deciding against a panel upgrade. Adding battery storage or an EV charger to your solar system will likely put you over the edge, and it’s usually easier and more affordable to upgrade your panel at the same time you install solar.
The Solar Tax Credit Covers Electrical Panel Upgrades
The 30% solar tax credit covers electrical panel upgrades if they are deemed necessary for solar system installation. If a panel upgrade is not deemed necessary but you still want to upgrade, you can claim the 30% solar tax credit for the solar system installation and the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit for your panel upgrade. The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit allows for a 30% federal tax credit, up to $600, for electrical panel upgrades.
The Best Electrical Panels for Solar
If you decide to upgrade your electrical panel when going solar, the SPAN Panel is one of the best options. SPAN is a smart electrical panel that offers significant benefits in terms of energy monitoring, control, and optimization. It also offers advanced backup power management for houses with solar plus battery storage systems, giving you unprecedented insight into and control over your power consumption.
Do You Need a New Panel for Solar? Get an Expert Opinion
SouthFace Solar & Electric can take a look at your existing electrical panel and let you know whether we think you’ll need an upgrade as part of your free, no-pressure solar consultation. If an upgrade is necessary, we can complete it as part of your solar installation. We’ve been a leading local solar company in Arizona since 2008 and are committed to doing whatever it takes to bring more power to our customers with rooftop, off-grid, and ground-mounted solar panels.
