If you already own a solar panels system, there are several reasons why you should seriously consider an upgrade or “repowering”.
Why repower?
Over time, solar systems can lose efficiency due to wear or outdated technology. Repowering enhances your system’s performance, ensuring optimal energy generation with improved efficiency. Upgrading your system boosts energy output, leading to increased savings and a stronger financial return. A more efficient system means lower energy costs and a higher overall value from your solar investment for many more years to come.
Modernising your system allows you to take full advantage of improved yield and return, whilst at the same time making your system future-proof with the latest technology.
In deciding which repowering option works best for you, the main aspects to consider include age of your existing solar PV system, it’s present condition, and most importantly – whether or not it is achieving your objectives. Let’s examine some of the main reasons why “repowering” can make your solar PV system “great again”!
Age of your system
If your installed your original solar system more than six years ago and have benefited from a government grant, by now your initial feed-in tariff contract would have expired. This has immediate and severe implications on your solar panels financial bottom-line. By now your system would have already paid back for itself and generated substantial savings and return on your initial investment. Your solar panels are still generating well, but you notice that your ARMS bills have suddenly become substantially higher, despite similar levels of consumption. This is because instead of being paid higher feed-in tariff that was granted to you for 6 years, you’re now being paid only ten and a half cents for every unit that you export.
On the other hand, your consumption may have remained unchanged, or even increased. In such case, rather than continue to export a substantial part of your solar generation to the grid, your priority should be to try to consume your own PV power as much as possible. You have a clear reason to add a home battery to your existing solar panels, so that rather than selling surplus power at a low tariff, and then having to buy electricity in the evening or at night at much higher tariffs, you can store your PV energy in your battery, and use your own PV power even at night.
Fortunately, you are now eligible for new government grants to replace your inverter with a hybrid (battery-ready) model, and to add a battery. With the help of these grants, you can acquire a top notch battery system and hybrid inverter for only 20% of eligible costs. Adding a home energy storage system entitles you to up to EUR 7,200 grant on purchasing battery system, and up to EUR 1,800 grant on the purchase of new inverter, which makes your capital outlay very minimal in comparison with the enormous long term benefits of owning a home battery system.
Additionally, you can also opt for a partial or full home backup, which enables your solar PV and battery system to function even during power cuts!
Condition of your existing PV system
Older systems tend to exhibit deteriorating performance whilst inverter may even approach the end of its useful life and may need a replacement. Without a functioning inverter, your solar panels would no longer generate electricity. Fortunately, systems installed more than 6 years ago are now eligible for a government grant for replacing inverter with a hybrid (battery-ready) model, when also adding a home battery system. Instead of financing replacement of inverter out of pocket, it is highly beneficial to acquire a brand new latest model hybrid inverter at only a fraction of its costs!
Other system components (for example mounting structure, ballasts, cables, switchgear, etc) may also need servicing in an older system; and at times, some of these components even merit a total overhaul. For example, mounting structure may exhibit signs of corrosion and no longer provides a safe anchoring for your solar panels. Insulation of cables may have deteriorated, leading to frequent system outages due to “earth leakage” or “low insulation resistance” alarms. Such conditions also potentially pose a severe safety hazard that may require immediate attention. Therefore besides upgrading your system with new inverter and battery, it is worth using repowering as an opportunity to thoroughly audit the condition of your system, and to rectify any shortcomings to prolong the system’s useful life.
Are you still satisfied with your existing PV system?
This is perhaps the most important question that you need to ask yourself. It is highly likely that since your existing system has been installed many years ago, certain key factors that determine PV system’s feasibility have also changed. For example, you may have purchased an electric car, installed new AC units and other appliances that result in higher energy consumption. The number of people in your family may have also increased, and your PV system no longer fully covers your consumption needs. In such case, besides installing a home battery system, you need to consider increasing yield power and revenue / savings from your solar system. This may be possible in several ways:
- You may add new solar panels to your existing arrays. Modern PV panels are vastly more efficient than older models, and will generate considerably more whilst using less space. New electricity regulations published in 2024 increase maximum power that could be connected on each phase, and therefore it is now possible to practically double your system size whilst still remaining within the limits set by Enemalta. So if, for example, you had a system consisting of 10 solar panels of say 280W each (2.8kWp), you can now more than double this power by adding say 4 or 5 of the latest high efficiency solar panels to your existing PV array.
- If you do not have extra available space on your roof to accommodate more PV panels, you may consider replacing some of the older panels with the latest and more powerful ones, thus increasing your overall system power and yield.
- Alternatively, you may opt to decommission your existing solar system completely and replace it with new and more powerful one. In such case you cannot benefit from another PV grant, but you can take advantage of a higher feed-in tariff for the new system, whilst still being eligible for a battery grant.
It could also be the case that your neighbours increased building height, and your solar panels are affected by shade. In such cases, we can upgrade and improve performance of your system by adding optimizers, or rewiring your PV array, or by elevating your panels on a custom-made elevated structure.
Making your solar system great again!
In conclusion, it is possible and highly worthwhile to breath a new lease of life into your older PV system which will ensure that the upgrade system aligns perfectly with your aims and expectations and will continue to give you value and savings over many more years to come. Various possibilities exist, including:
- Adding home battery system with government grant
- Replacing inverter with government grant
- Installing a full home backup solution and eliminating power cuts
- Adding more PV power to existing PV array
- Replacing old PV with new system and getting a new feed-in tariff contract for 20 years
- Mitigating impacts of shading to improve performance of existing system
In deciding on the best option that works specifically for YOU, it is best to consult with the experts. Many Maltese households benefited from repowering options implemented by Virtue Solaris, and we have vast expertise and experience in considering your unique circumstances and advising you on the best way forward.
Contact us for a FREE and no-obligation onsite consultation!
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If you already own a solar panels system, there are several reasons why you should seriously consider an upgrade or “repowering”.
Why repower?
Over time, solar systems can lose efficiency due to wear or outdated technology. Repowering enhances your system’s performance, ensuring optimal energy generation with improved efficiency. Upgrading your system boosts energy output, leading to increased savings and a stronger financial return. A more efficient system means lower energy costs and a higher overall value from your solar investment for many more years to come.
Modernising your system allows you to take full advantage of improved yield and return, whilst at the same time making your system future-proof with the latest technology.
In deciding which repowering option works best for you, the main aspects to consider include age of your existing solar PV system, it’s present condition, and most importantly – whether or not it is achieving your objectives. Let’s examine some of the main reasons why “repowering” can make your solar PV system “great again”!
Age of your system
If your installed your original solar system more than six years ago and have benefited from a government grant, by now your initial feed-in tariff contract would have expired. This has immediate and severe implications on your solar panels financial bottom-line. By now your system would have already paid back for itself and generated substantial savings and return on your initial investment. Your solar panels are still generating well, but you notice that your ARMS bills have suddenly become substantially higher, despite similar levels of consumption. This is because instead of being paid higher feed-in tariff that was granted to you for 6 years, you’re now being paid only ten and a half cents for every unit that you export.
On the other hand, your consumption may have remained unchanged, or even increased. In such case, rather than continue to export a substantial part of your solar generation to the grid, your priority should be to try to consume your own PV power as much as possible. You have a clear reason to add a home battery to your existing solar panels, so that rather than selling surplus power at a low tariff, and then having to buy electricity in the evening or at night at much higher tariffs, you can store your PV energy in your battery, and use your own PV power even at night.
Fortunately, you are now eligible for new government grants to replace your inverter with a hybrid (battery-ready) model, and to add a battery. With the help of these grants, you can acquire a top notch battery system and hybrid inverter for only 20% of eligible costs. Adding a home energy storage system entitles you to up to EUR 7,200 grant on purchasing battery system, and up to EUR 1,800 grant on the purchase of new inverter, which makes your capital outlay very minimal in comparison with the enormous long term benefits of owning a home battery system.
Additionally, you can also opt for a partial or full home backup, which enables your solar PV and battery system to function even during power cuts!
Condition of your existing PV system
Older systems tend to exhibit deteriorating performance whilst inverter may even approach the end of its useful life and may need a replacement. Without a functioning inverter, your solar panels would no longer generate electricity. Fortunately, systems installed more than 6 years ago are now eligible for a government grant for replacing inverter with a hybrid (battery-ready) model, when also adding a home battery system. Instead of financing replacement of inverter out of pocket, it is highly beneficial to acquire a brand new latest model hybrid inverter at only a fraction of its costs!
Other system components (for example mounting structure, ballasts, cables, switchgear, etc) may also need servicing in an older system; and at times, some of these components even merit a total overhaul. For example, mounting structure may exhibit signs of corrosion and no longer provides a safe anchoring for your solar panels. Insulation of cables may have deteriorated, leading to frequent system outages due to “earth leakage” or “low insulation resistance” alarms. Such conditions also potentially pose a severe safety hazard that may require immediate attention. Therefore besides upgrading your system with new inverter and battery, it is worth using repowering as an opportunity to thoroughly audit the condition of your system, and to rectify any shortcomings to prolong the system’s useful life.
Are you still satisfied with your existing PV system?
This is perhaps the most important question that you need to ask yourself. It is highly likely that since your existing system has been installed many years ago, certain key factors that determine PV system’s feasibility have also changed. For example, you may have purchased an electric car, installed new AC units and other appliances that result in higher energy consumption. The number of people in your family may have also increased, and your PV system no longer fully covers your consumption needs. In such case, besides installing a home battery system, you need to consider increasing yield power and revenue / savings from your solar system. This may be possible in several ways:
- You may add new solar panels to your existing arrays. Modern PV panels are vastly more efficient than older models, and will generate considerably more whilst using less space. New electricity regulations published in 2024 increase maximum power that could be connected on each phase, and therefore it is now possible to practically double your system size whilst still remaining within the limits set by Enemalta. So if, for example, you had a system consisting of 10 solar panels of say 280W each (2.8kWp), you can now more than double this power by adding say 4 or 5 of the latest high efficiency solar panels to your existing PV array.
- If you do not have extra available space on your roof to accommodate more PV panels, you may consider replacing some of the older panels with the latest and more powerful ones, thus increasing your overall system power and yield.
- Alternatively, you may opt to decommission your existing solar system completely and replace it with new and more powerful one. In such case you cannot benefit from another PV grant, but you can take advantage of a higher feed-in tariff for the new system, whilst still being eligible for a battery grant.
It could also be the case that your neighbours increased building height, and your solar panels are affected by shade. In such cases, we can upgrade and improve performance of your system by adding optimizers, or rewiring your PV array, or by elevating your panels on a custom-made elevated structure.
Making your solar system great again!
In conclusion, it is possible and highly worthwhile to breath a new lease of life into your older PV system which will ensure that the upgrade system aligns perfectly with your aims and expectations and will continue to give you value and savings over many more years to come. Various possibilities exist, including:
- Adding home battery system with government grant
- Replacing inverter with government grant
- Installing a full home backup solution and eliminating power cuts
- Adding more PV power to existing PV array
- Replacing old PV with new system and getting a new feed-in tariff contract for 20 years
- Mitigating impacts of shading to improve performance of existing system
In deciding on the best option that works specifically for YOU, it is best to consult with the experts. Many Maltese households benefited from repowering options implemented by Virtue Solaris, and we have vast expertise and experience in considering your unique circumstances and advising you on the best way forward.
Contact us for a FREE and no-obligation onsite consultation!