Residential / Solar & energy
System upgrades / expansions
Build on what you already have. We assess existing solar, inverter compatibility and electrical capacity before adding panels, storage or new loads.
Local electricians · Clear advice · Ongoing support
Three ways to upgrade
Add panels
More generation, if the roof has space and the inverter has headroom. Limited by inverter capacity as much as by roof area.
Replace the inverter
Inverters are the shortest-lived part of a system. A replacement restores output and can open the door to storage.
Retrofit a battery
Usually the biggest single improvement, because it lets you keep generation you are currently exporting cheaply.
What limits an expansion
- Inverter capacity. An inverter can only take so much panel capacity above its rating. Once you are at that limit, more panels need a bigger or additional inverter.
- Roof area and shading. The good, unshaded north, east and west faces usually went first. What is left may generate noticeably less per panel.
- Switchboard capacity. More generation may need work at the board. See switchboard upgrades.
- Network export limits. Your distributor sets a limit on how much you may export, and that can cap system size regardless of your roof.
- Mixing old and new panels. Different panels on the same string drag each other down, so new capacity is normally run as its own string.
Retrofitting a battery to older solar
The installed price depends on the equipment, access and any enabling electrical work. Your quote identifies the proposed models, installation scope and any eligible discounts.
Where the existing inverter is already near end of life, replacing it with a hybrid unit and adding storage in one visit is often better value than doing them separately. We will lay out both options with prices rather than pushing you toward the larger job.
When replacing beats repairing
If an inverter has failed outside its warranty, if panels are visibly degrading, or if the system is small enough that it no longer makes a dent in the bill, a rebuild can be better value than incremental repair. We will tell you honestly which side of that line your system is on. See solar maintenance and repairs.
The federal battery discount depends on the proposed system and installation date. The calculation changed in May 2026. We check current eligibility and show the applicable discount in your written quote.
Good to know
Your questions, answered.
Can I add panels to a system from another installer?
Usually yes. We check the existing inverter, strings and switchboard first and tell you what the system will actually accept.
Will adding a battery mean replacing my inverter?
Not necessarily. An AC-coupled battery works alongside most existing systems. If your inverter is near end of life anyway, a hybrid replacement may make more sense.
How long do inverters last?
They are the shortest-lived major component in a solar system, and they run hard every day. A replacement is a normal part of owning solar rather than a sign something went wrong.
Is my old system worth keeping?
Often yes. A well-installed array of Tier 1 panels can keep producing for a long time. It is usually the inverter and the lack of storage holding it back, not the panels.
Let’s talk about your project.
Tell us your suburb, priorities and the work you have in mind. We’ll help you take the next step.