Article
What Happens on Solar Installation Day? A Homeowner’s Guide
Solar installation day is an exciting time for any homeowner. There’s a good chance you’ve spent weeks or months weighing your options, talking to industry experts, and researching the best panels, inverters, and batteries on the market to outfit your home with an efficient, sustainable, renewable energy system. You’re thrilled about your new savings potential and enhanced energy independence! But what can you expect during the solar installation process?
In this guide, we’ll help you prepare your home and mind for solar installation day and answer a few frequently asked questions, so you know exactly what to expect.
Preparing for Solar Installation Day
The word “process” is one you’ll hear a lot when discussing solar panel installation, but this process doesn’t begin when crews arrive at your door. Let’s discuss how to prepare for the big event.
Importance of Preparation
By ensuring your home, roof, and electrical panel are ready for a new renewable energy system, you’ll pave the way for a seamless installation. Overlooking proper preparation may result in costly or frustrating delays.
For example, your roof’s structural integrity and your home’s existing electrical panel are determining factors for solar compatibility. Older homes may require a new roof or an updated electrical system before the solar installation process can begin. Your solar installer should examine your electrical panel during the site assessment, but you may need to consult with a structural engineer to ensure your roof is suitable for a photovoltaic array. Failing to do so can significantly delay your installation timeline and increase your overall costs.
Of course, addressing these fundamental issues isn’t the only task on your pre-installation to-do list. Even folks in newly constructed homes must ensure their space is ready for solar crews. Removing tools and toys from your yard, cleaning off your roof, and making your electrical panel accessible will eliminate obstacles that may slow down the installation process or create additional work for your crew.
Steps to Prepare Your Home
Preparing your home for solar installation day is an essential step to a smooth transition, but it shouldn’t take too much work. The goal is to ensure that your crew has full access to your roof, attic, and electrical panel. Leading up to the big day, trim overhanging branches, remove satellite dishes, and move any furniture, vehicles, or toys that could block access points or staging areas.
During this time, double-check that all paperwork is completed and up to date, including permits, HOA approvals, utility permissions, and contracts.
Understanding the Solar Install Process
The solar install process looks slightly different for every home, but we’ll cover the basics to get you started. Keep in mind that these estimates may vary for ground-mounted solar arrays, solar carports, and other types of installations.
Timeline of Solar Installation
While most solar installations are completed within one to three days, a number of factors may impact the time required to get your new system up and running, including weather conditions, the size of your array, and the complexity of your roof. Extensive systems with more panels will naturally take longer to install than compact arrays.
It’s also important to note that the permitting process varies based on location. Some places have solar regulatory systems down to a science, with readily available inspectors and a streamlined application process. Others may demand more time to assess newly installed arrays before you can start generating your own clean energy.
What to Expect During Installation Day
Once your team arrives, they’ll review their installation plan, perform a site assessment, and set up safety gear before marking the exact locations of roof mounts. They may stage equipment at various spots around your yard and place ladders or scaffolding at the base of your house for easy roof access.
The crew will then begin the installation process, attaching mounting hardware onto your roof and placing panels. Next, they’ll use electrical conduit to safely route wiring, connect inverters and batteries to your electrical system, and ensure the array is fully grounded.
Once they’ve completed the solar install process, your team will run various diagnostic tests to confirm everything is working correctly. Depending on local utility permitting stipulations, they may briefly run your system as part of this process. At this point, you’ll likely need a seal of approval from your utility provider or permitting board before you can use it to offset your grid-sourced power.
Finally, your crew will clean up any debris and leftover materials and review their installation checklist in preparation for your final walk-through.
In-House Expertise: Trusting Your Installation Team
Inviting strangers into your home can be unsettling, but partnering with a trusted solar installation company can help ensure your family, home, and belongings are safe. Solar Energy World’s experienced technicians have installed over 25,000 solar panel arrays for more than 15 years. Unlike other solar companies, we don’t rely on various subcontractors to design, install, or test your system. Instead, our team of highly trained, in-house experts guarantees optimal efficiency and precision on every project. This accountability ensures a high degree of quality, safety, and customer satisfaction.
While it’s possible to install solar panels on your own, professional installation is the most reliable route to enhanced performance, durability, and safety.
Communication Throughout the Process
Knowing what to expect from the solar installation process is all about maintaining good communication with your crew. Staying in touch with your primary contact will give you peace of mind and help you avoid surprises.
Staying Informed: The Role of Your Project Manager
As the title suggests, your project manager (PM) oversees all aspects of your installation, orchestrating roofing crews, electricians, and solar engineers to ensure a smooth experience. The PM will likely be your main point of contact. You can expect them to walk you through the process at the beginning of solar installation day, deliver real-time updates on progress and delays, and offer recaps at the end of the day or project. These professionals will also communicate with you about necessary tasks following installation, including inspections, utility approvals, and when you have the all-clear to crank up your solar panel array.
Addressing Homeowner Concerns
Most solar installations are smooth sailing, but it’s only natural to have questions and concerns about your new investment. In many cases, your PM may anticipate these issues and offer solutions before you even ask. However, you should feel comfortable raising any and all concerns with your installation team. If you’re worried about various aspects of the installation process or notice anything unexpected, reach out to your PM early, so they can remedy the situation before moving forward. Remember, their goal is to ensure customer satisfaction before, during, and after solar installation day.
Post-Installation Steps
With the completion of your solar panel installation, there are only a couple of boxes left to check:
Activation of Your Solar System
Before you can begin generating clean solar energy, you’ll need permission to operate (PTO) from your utility company. This approval process shows your electricity provider that your system meets building code requirements and is safe to connect to the grid. In order to secure successful activation, you must:
- Ensure your array meets local permitting requirements.
- Complete an inspection with your utility provider.
- Apply to interconnect your system with the grid.
On average, it takes one to three weeks after installation to complete this process. However, some jurisdictions may have a backlog of homeowners waiting on approval. Your project manager can keep you informed on your status.
What You Need to Know About Solar Tax Credits & Incentives
Final Steps and Getting Started with Solar Energy
The moment you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived: it’s time to fire up your solar panel system and reap the rewards of your investment. Your PM will likely show you how to power on your array by flipping the main solar breaker. You’ll want to begin tracking energy production right away using real-time monitoring software or proprietary apps linked to your smart battery or inverter. Ask your PM to walk you through each app or site to familiarize yourself with these platforms. Once you’re logged in, you can keep tabs on energy production, system performance, and any alerts or issues needing your attention.
The Emotional Journey of Solar Installation Day
Purchasing a solar energy system requires a sizable up-front investment and, sometimes, a lengthy installation and permitting process. By the time your array is up and running, you might be surprised by the wide range of emotions you feel.
Celebrating Your Commitment to Sustainability
Like many homeowners, you may feel a sense of pride and accomplishment on solar installation day – and you should! Taking actionable steps to reduce your carbon footprint, supporting environmental sustainability, and bolstering your long-term financial health through ongoing savings is no small feat. In fact, completing the solar install process marks a major milestone in your journey toward a greener lifestyle. Take a moment to thank yourself for investing in your future and the planet’s well-being.
As you generate your own clean energy, you minimize your reliance on fossil fuels and offset the electricity sourced from the grid. If you participate in net metering, you also supply your friends and neighbors with renewable energy, promoting a greener, more resilient electrical grid, even if they don’t realize it.
Real Stories from Homeowners
Since 2009, Solar Energy World has worked hard to bring renewable energy to homeowners just like you. Here’s what some of them have to say about their experience with our team:
Ruth Z: “Everything about the experience was top notch, from sales representative to scheduling and work crews . . . I don’t think I’ve ever had a sales or construction experience as good as this one.”
Stephen P: “Solar installation was great! SEW was white-glove from beginning to end; easy to work with, and very organized and reliable. They even replaced my roof at a competitive cost. The panels look great!”
Paul W: “We literally do not pay an electricity bill all year long. Thank you, Solar Energy World.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Now, let’s cover some of the questions we often receive about the solar install process:
How Long Does Solar Installation Take?
Small, simple, residential arrays can usually be installed in one or two days, but the duration depends on the size of your system, the complexity of your roof, weather conditions, and local permitting requirements. Older homes and those with unusual roofs may require a little more time.
What Should I Do to Prepare for Solar Installation Day?
Here’s a checklist to help you prepare for the big day:
Schedule a roof inspection with a structural engineer who can confirm your structure’s integrity.
Ensure your electrical panel is compatible with a solar array.
Trim tree branches that may shade your roof or interfere with installation.
Remove all objects from the yard and driveway surrounding your house to give installers easy access to your roof.
Ensure your crew can access your attic and electrical panels throughout the process.
Review paperwork and local regulations to avoid complications.
Mentally prepare for delays, such as adverse weather, that may lengthen installation time.
Will I Need to Be Home During the Solar Installation?
In most cases, you’ll need to be home when your crew arrives to grant them access and answer any initial questions they may have. However, the solar install process can be noisy and disruptive, especially if you’re used to peace and quiet around your house. No one will think twice if you choose to find a comfortable place to spend the big day, like a coffee shop or the library.
That being said, there are a number of benefits to sticking close to home. Your team may run into unexpected issues requiring your attention, and if they’re unable to access certain parts of your home, such as your attic or breaker boxes, installation may grind to a halt. You’ll want to be around as crews wrap up for a final walk-through of your new array. This is also a great time to get acquainted with your new system, so you know how everything works once you’re on your own.
Consider spending as much of the day as possible in your home, and make sure the crew has your phone number if you need to step out.
Prepare for Installation Day with Solar Energy World!
Now that you know what to expect during your solar installation, it’s time to take the next step to a greener future. Get a free solar estimate today to see how much you can save with Solar Energy World!r panels can reduce your carbon footprint and your monthly utility bills? The team at Solar Energy World is here to help. Get a free solar estimate today to get started!
Want a Free Solar Estimate?
Fill out the form to get started today.
