An electrical panel upgrade is sometimes needed for a solar panel installation, but not always.
If your panel is 200 amps, it should be able to support residential solar panels. If it’s smaller or outdated, you might need an upgrade.
At Cascadia Solar, we’re happy to take a look and give you an honest assessment. Most of the time, we can install solar panels without replacing your electrical panel, and we will never push an upgrade that isn’t warranted.
If you do need a panel upgrade, we can help. As the solar division of Frederickson Electric, we can handle the whole project, from your solar design and installation to any electrical work that comes with it.
Quick Review: What Does an Electrical Panel Do?
Your electrical panel (sometimes called a breaker box or service panel) is the central hub of your home’s electrical system. Utility power is fed in through your electrical panel, and the panel distributes it to your lights, appliances, and outlets.
When you install solar panels, the power they generate will also be fed into and distributed by your electrical panel. The solar power generated on your roof will directly power your appliances and electrical loads in your home first, and any excess power will be exported to the grid.
In some cases, an existing panel can handle the extra power being backfed. In others, it needs to be upgraded.
When to Upgrade Your Electrical Panel for Solar
It’s hard to say whether you need a new electric panel to go solar without knowing the specifics about your current electrical panel and solar plans.
But, there are a few common scenarios that we run into where a panel upgrade is needed:
1. Your Current Panel Is Under 200 Amps
Electrical panels are rated by amperage. The amperage represents the total amount of electrical current it can safely handle.
If your panel is 200 amps or bigger, you’re likely in good shape for a solar installation. A big system might require a different approach to connect your solar power, but 200 amps is enough for most residential solar installations.
If your panel is 100 or 150 amps, you may need to upgrade it before going solar. Sometimes, we can work with a smaller panel, but it depends on your home’s energy usage and the size of your solar system.
2. There’s No Space for a Dedicated Circuit
Solar energy systems require a dedicated circuit breaker to tie into your home’s electrical system. Sometimes, an electrical panel has enough amperage for solar but is maxed out with no available breaker spaces, especially if you’ve added things like a hot tub or heat pump over the years.
If this is the case for you, you typically have two options. You can either upgrade to a new panel with more spaces or install a subpanel. We can help you weigh the pros and cons of both options as they relate to your specific home and electrical needs.
3. Your Current Panel Is Old & Outdated
Sometimes, you need to upgrade your electrical panel anyway, and it coincides nicely with a solar installation.
On the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, most houses are relatively new and have modern electrical panels. But there are some older houses with outdated panels that need to be upgraded for safety and to meet modern electrical requirements.
If you live in an older house and the electrical panel is original, it’s probably time for a replacement, whether you’re installing solar or not. Signs of physical damage, like rust and corrosion, and electrical issues, like flickering lights or too few outlets in your house, can also be signs you need a new electrical panel.
4. You Plan to Add a Battery or an EV Charger Down the Road
Even if your panel can handle solar now, it’s worth thinking ahead. If you know you’ll be adding a battery or an EV charger down the road, upgrading your panel now can save you time and money later.
We often work with folks who are gradually moving toward full electrification. If we know your plans upfront, we can design your solar system and electrical setup with those future additions in mind.
Do Electrical Panel Upgrades Qualify for Tax Credits
You may be able to claim a tax credit for your electrical panel upgrade:
Solar Tax Credit
Residential solar systems are eligible for a federal tax credit worth 30% of your installation costs. If you have to upgrade your electrical panel to install a solar energy system, the cost of the upgrade is included in your total installation costs and therefore qualifies for the 30% tax credit. When you go solar with Cascadia Solar, we’ll help you determine whether your project meets the qualification requirements.
Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit
The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit (25C) provides a 30% tax credit, up to $600, for electrical panel upgrades made alongside qualifying energy efficiency or energy property improvements such as a heat pump or heat pump water heater.
Heads up! The 25C tax credit and the 30% federal solar tax credit will expire at the end of 2025. Any solar installations completed after the last day of the year will not qualify. We encourage you to act quickly so you can take advantage of these significant savings before it’s too late.
Your One-Stop Shop for Solar & Electrical Upgrades
One of the benefits of working with Cascadia Solar is that we’re not just solar installers—we’re electricians. We’re the solar division of Frederickson Electric, which has been serving the Olympic and Kitsap Peninsulas for over 50 years.
If an electrical panel upgrade is needed for your solar installation, we don’t subcontract it out. We handle it in-house with our licensed electricians, so everything stays under one roof. That means less hassle for you and a smoother path from estimate to installation.
Reach out today to get started with a free, no-pressure consultation. We’re local, we’re experienced, and we’re here to help you make a smart, lasting investment in your home.
