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“I think I’m getting the ‘go away’ quote here.”
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A New Jersey homeowner who already had solar expected that adding seven more panels to cover a new HVAC load would be a relatively minor upgrade. 
Instead, the quote nearly matched the cost of many full starter systems.
On Reddit, they explained the sticker shock centered on a seven-panel expansion priced “north of $16,000.” 
The homeowner explained to the r/solar subreddit that the same installer had previously put in an 18-panel Maxeon system with Enphase microinverters and a 25-year installer warranty for about $20,000. They had gone back to that company after a new HVAC setup increased their power needs and asked about adding four to seven panels. 
Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers in your area.
To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
The bid used seven REC panels and matching microinverters, leading the homeowner to write, “I think I’m getting the ‘go away’ quote here.”
People in the thread said the cost is not only about the extra panels themselves. One commenter noted that adding microinverters would still mean connecting into the combiner box.
“But both options require touching the original install,” a user wrote. “No way of getting around that.”
Going solar can save money on home energy, but you need to size your system with future needs in mind from the beginning, or expansion will be costly down the road. Homeowners comparing first-time installs or upgrades can use EnergySage to get free solar installation estimates and compare quotes.
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Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers that can help you save as much as $10k on installation.
To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best local options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner.
Part of the frustration was the equipment comparison. The homeowner said their first system used 18 Maxeon panels, while the expansion quote called for seven REC panels that they viewed as less expensive gear. Even so, the add-on came back with a much higher per-panel price.
Replies in the thread also pointed to the fixed costs that can make tiny projects expensive. A commenter said a company they once worked for added $1,000 to systems under 5 kilowatts because “the labor is calculated by the half day.”
Another commenter offered a comparison from their own experience, saying an eight-panel addition to a 9-kilowatt system cost $13.5k and that they should have added an “expansion pack too.”
Much of the advice boiled down to getting more quotes. One commenter said $16,000 for seven panels “feels like they just don’t want to bother with it,” and others recommended trying smaller local installers.
💡Go deep on the latest news and trends shaping the residential solar landscape
A commenter also raised the idea of having another installer leave the first array untouched and build a second, separate system. A different user mentioned plug-in solar or a ground-mount alternative.
The OP indicated that the seven panels remained their goal in their replies, but they needed a better price.
With EnergySage’s help, the average person can save up to $10,000 on solar purchases and installations. That can be critical if you find yourself in the original poster’s boat down the road.
EnergySage’s solar map shows the average cost of a home solar panel system by state, along with solar incentives in each state. Together, those resources can help homeowners get the best price for rooftop solar panels and access available incentives.
Adding battery storage to a solar setup is one of the best ways to protect your home during outages, save money on energy, and go off-grid. Homeowners interested in pairing panels with backup power can explore EnergySage for information about home battery storage options, including competitive installation estimates.
If you’re weighing a solar quote, there are many factors to consider.
• In many states, rooftop solar can save homeowners $700 yearly or more.
• Before expanding a rooftop array, homeowners should budget for cleaning, repairs, and maintenance too.
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© 2025 THE COOL DOWN COMPANY. All Rights Reserved. Do not sell or share my personal information. Reach us at hello@thecooldown.com.

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