Adding a new array to an existing GivEnergy system

TL: DR can I just plug a new solar array into MPPT2 of my already commissioned and operational inverter and it just work or does it need the installer dashboard to initialise/add a new array?

I don't see why it should need the installer dashboard, I am not adding a new battery, inverter or other GivEnergy kit just panels.

Long story
My GivEnergy System was installed back in April 2023 by Octopus Energy and works very well so far.
I currently have a 1970s semi detached house with two floors and a kitchen extension to the rear. Both rear roofs face south east and have no shading.

My system consists of 8 x 395 JA Solar panels on my main roof connected only to MPPT1 on both the PV Protect and Inverter. The inverter is a GivEnergy 3.6kWh inverter.

Both the Inverter and PV Protect have an MPPT1 and MPPT2 connectors, the MPPT2 connector is free on both.

My main roof is the only roof that Octopus wanted to install the panels on, I have a kitchen extension with a sloped roof but Octopus refused to put panels on that despite other installers saying it shouldn't be a problem.

The kitchen roof is only 1 storey high, is sloped by only 15 degrees. I know I won't get much but better something than nothing.

I have measured the roof and figured that I could fit another 4 x 395 JA Solar panels to bring my system from 3.16kWh to 4.74kWh array. I know this is beyond my inverters 3.6kWh limit but I have read that over panelling isn't a problem and in fact beneficial for cloudier days.

I have spoken to a friend who I recently learned (after my Solar system installation) that he can buy, fit and install the additional panels and has done several jobs.

However he isn't GivEnergy approved (yet!) and I don't know if he will bother or ever will. I know that the GivEnergy portal has one for home users and Installers where they can do commissioning, initialisation for inverter and batteries etc.

My question is, can he install the panels, wire it up etc and then just plug the new panels in to MPPT2 connectors on the PV Protect then to the inverter? Correctly of course as in with the whole system powered down etc.

Would the inverter just see the new panels and be like " ok cool I suppose" and start drawing power or will they need commissioning/installing/adding etc via the installer dashboard? I don't see why it should need the installer dashboard, I am not adding a new battery, inverter or other GivEnergy kit just panels. I have added a picture below which looks (correct me if i am wrong) that the PV2 MPPT is ready to accept a new array.


Also just out of interest is, there a minimum/maximum number of panels per MPPT, should they be wired in parallel or series?

I believe they just work, never tried as I've always had 2 strings.
I'm unsure as to the warranty stance for 'meddling' so your on your own if you choose to:
Once its dark (so you don't risk getting an arc if you attempt this under load) you could move string 1 to string 2 and see what it does.
(I say dark because you may or may not have isolators fitted so this method just covers all)

hoggy
That might be a good ideal!

Ill try that, just move the connectors from PV1 to PV2 and see what happens, worst case it'll just think the panels are off line for the day before I move them back to PV1 for the next.

I'm not one to mind the meddling, however I may have been given false info that a new solar panel array needs the installers dashboard to commission it.

Shizbazki should they be wired in parallel or series? Series, also as I understand it the string voltage will need to get to 120V before it does anything useful so if you are limited to just 4 panels you may need to think of panel voltages when choosing panels to get the best bang for your buck.

@Shizbazki if you are looking to go down the DIY or semi DIY route, have a look at Charlie DIYte on youtube, he fitted solar panels to his garage roof and goes through in detail the bracket installation, etc