The expansion of photovoltaics is a topic that concerns an increasing number of Polish homes.
You bought an electric car. Or you installed a heat pump. Your 2021 photovoltaic installation suddenly stopped working - the bills are back. This is now happening in thousands of Polish homes.
As recently as four years ago, a 4-5 kWp installation quietly covered the needs of an average household. Today, the same house consumes twice as much energy - air conditioning, car charger, heat pump. In the Tri-City and the whole of Pomerania, this is particularly evident: the region gains around 1 600-1 700 hours of solar power annually, which offers real potential, but only if the installation is appropriately sized.
Expanding photovoltaics is not just about adding a few panels. It's a considered technical and financial decision. We look at what you should know in 2026.
As recently as four years ago, a 4-5 kWp installation quietly covered the needs of an average household. Today, the same house consumes twice as much energy - air conditioning, car charger, heat pump. In the Tri-City and the whole of Pomerania, this is particularly evident: the region gains around 1 600-1 700 hours of solar power annually, which offers real potential, but only if the installation is appropriately sized.
Expanding photovoltaics is not just about adding a few panels. It's a considered technical and financial decision. We look at what you should know in 2026.
Why expand photovoltaics now?
The energy market is changing rapidly and the window for favourable expansion conditions is not open indefinitely. Here are two key reasons to act in 2026:
- Conversion to net-billing - Owners of installations installed after 1 April 2022 are billed on a value basis, not a volume basis. This means that you sell surplus energy at market prices - generally lower than the purchase price. The greater the self-consumption of energy (i.e. on-site consumption), the better the profitability of photovoltaics.
- Rising energy prices - Electricity prices are steadily rising. Every kilowatt hour produced by your installation and consumed immediately is a direct saving at the full retail tariff.
Important: It makes sense to increase the capacity of your PV installation first and foremost if your consumption has actually increased - measurable in the meter data. It is always worth checking your annual energy balance before making a decision.
PV plant expansion and energy storage - the perfect duo
Adding photovoltaic panels without energy storage in 2026 is half the solution. Under net-billing, surpluses are returned to the grid at low wholesale prices - often 30-50% cheaper than you buy the energy. Energy storage allows you to keep this surplus and use it in the evening or at night.
Below is a summary that shows the difference in practice:
| Criterion | Installation without storage | Installation with energy storage |
|---|---|---|
| Self-consumption of energy | 20-30% | 50-80% |
| Protection against supply interruptions | No | Yes (backup mode) |
| Payback time | 7-9 years | 5-6 years (with funding) |
| Indicative additional cost | — | PLN 15,000-25,000 (5-15 kWh) |
Combining plant expansion with energy storage is the best answer to the reality of net-billing today. Energy storage in Pomerania is becoming a standard component of new and expanded installations in the region.
Technical aspects of adding photovoltaic panels
Expanding photovoltaics requires an analysis of several technical elements - before placing an order for panels, the installer must answer several questions:
- Inverter compatibility - Most string inverters have a specific maximum input power. If your inverter is already at the limit, you will need to replace it or use an additional device.
- Roof space availability - The yield and orientation of the slope are checked before increasing the capacity of the PV installation. The ideal is south ±30°, angle 30-40°. However, it is not always possible to add panels in the same place.
- Microinverters as a solution for difficult roofs - If there is not enough space on the main slope or the roof has a complex geometry, the solution is to add panels with microinverters on another slope. They operate independently of the main system and do not require replacement of the existing inverter.
- Wiring and protection - When increasing the capacity of PV installations, it is necessary to verify the cable cross-sections and AC/DC protection. This is an obligation resulting from the installation standards.
- Notification to the network operator (DSO) - Any extension beyond the previously notified capacity requires an update of the connection conditions. The installer should take care of the paperwork.
Grants and funding for expansion in Pomerania
The addition of photovoltaic panels and energy storage can be financed from several sources available in 2026:
- My Current 7.0 - The programme supports the purchase of energy storage facilities (up to a grant of PLN 16 000), energy management systems (EMS/HEMS) and the expansion of existing PV installations. Details of the calls are published by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management - it is worth keeping track of the dates, as the calls fill up quickly. NFOŚiGW
- Thermal modernisation allowance - Owners and co-owners of single-family houses can deduct up to PLN 53 000 of expenditure on photovoltaics, heat pump and energy storage from the tax base (PIT). The extension of an existing installation qualifies for relief under the same rules as new investment.
- Bank and leasing financing - Many banks offer preferential „green” loans with lower interest rates for RES investments. The repayment period usually matches the estimated payback period.
- Regional programmes - The Marshal's Office of the Pomeranian Voivodeship periodically announces EU funding for prosumers. SolLab photovoltaics continuously monitors the available programmes in the Gdansk-Gdynia-Sopot region.
Practice Tip: The thermal modernisation allowance and the My Current grant can be combined - provided you do not deduct the same amount twice. It is worth consulting your tax adviser or asking your installer about the current interpretation.
Summary and first step
The expansion of photovoltaics in 2026 is a response to a real problem: energy consumption in Polish homes is growing faster than assumed when the first installations were designed. Increasing the capacity of PV installations - combined with energy storage - makes it possible to regain energy independence and benefit from mechanisms that reward self-consumption.
Key findings:
- Expanding photovoltaics makes sense when your consumption has increased in real terms (EV, heat pump, air conditioning).
- Adding photovoltaic panels without net-billing energy storage offers limited benefits.
- Photovoltaics Gdańsk and the entire Pomeranian region offer good solar power and proven subsidy programmes.
- The technical feasibility of expansion depends on the inverter, roof and connection power - an assessment requires an audit.
Check the expansion potential of your installation - free SolLab audit
Not sure if your installation is suitable for expansion? Our engineer will come on site, assess the condition of the inverter, the space on the roof and the potential for energy storage. No obligation, no hidden costs.
SolLab photovoltaics - Tri-City and Pomerania. We operate in Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot and the entire Pomeranian Voivodeship. Arrange a free audit →
