Oversized array and gen 2 3.6kw

Another question for the group.
How much extra capacity can the new 3.6 hybrids comfortably take ? I have two roof aspects, absolutemax 4.4 kw 11panels, which might be optimistic given roof shape, and a west aspect with plenty of room but hard shading from 4pm. I would like to use the west roof as a second string, but as the startup voltage is 150v, I need. 5 to 6 panels minimum. So I need to choose whether to add another 6x 415 watts 2.4 kw peak. It's an annoying mix, as 11 panels 4.5 peak seems a bit small, 16 may be too many peak 6.4kw 😔. I fully understand that clipping will occur on perfect days with the 16 panel solution. The installer is not happy to go that much over. The gen1 stated a DC max of 4700, and gen2 datasheet days 7500w DC max, but the data sheets seem to be a bit unreliable. Any feedback on real capability of gen2, or significant oversizing ? I see the solar edge inverters make a point of allowing 200% DC to AC oversize.

Thanks all

Why not go for the 5kw hybrid, the increase in cost is less than £50 and would prevent limiting your generation? That what I did when the installer was proposing a 3.6kw inverter for out 5.6kwp of panels.
https://midsummerwholesale.co.uk/buy/giv-energy

Thanks for the reply, yes 5Kw is technically and economically the right answer :-), if its < 100 extra.
I was worried about horror stories of waiting forever for DNO approvals, rather than the g98 slap it in and ask for forgiveness later :-)

justpassing new 3.6 hybrids comfortably take

The new (gen2) hybrids can be upgraded to the 5kW spec by firmware upgrade as the internals are the same. I think they have been marketed as G98 or G99 type tested. If it's a new installation, it'd likely have to be G100 type tested (which both the HY3.6 and HY5 are).

Bottom line is that you need to get your "ideal" PV arrays specified and then see what inverter/battery could handle the power, then get the installer to apply for the G98/99/100 consent from the DNO. In my (limited) experience, I haven't heard of anyone who wished they had installed fewer PV panels, but plenty who wished they had squeezed an extra two or three when the original installation had been done. Extra panels will give a longer harvesting period each day and lengthen the harvesting season (earlier spring to later autumn). You just need to be sure that the arrays are matched well to the inverter.

Tim Good advice. In the end I went for 5Kw Inverter and 7Kw peak of panels.

Thanks

Tim

Not according to Adam-Reynolds
https://community.givenergy.cloud/d/1212-inverter-firmware-update-from-36kw-to-5kw/45

Adam-Reynolds To clarify on this as I've seen and heard a lot about it - that it's not something we do. There were some very old installers that had some capabilities of doing this with some special software due to errors in early supply chains but has since been revoked as this is not something currently looking to be offered in any product gen 1 or 2.

Zakalwe Yes, my take is that they have identical hardware, just different firmware (or just register values) but that because of type testing (G98 < 16A, G99 > 16A) and the manufacturer data plate, changing the firmware/register values would compromise the type testing certification. Therefore, they don't do it but some installers had been able to. Probably explains why the price difference is so low.