Four steps to home solar installation
The solar installation process officially begins once you finalize your system design, choose a home solar financing option, and select the right company or contractor for the job by signing a contract.
Step 1: Sign your contract and schedule your site assessment
After you sign on the dotted line, most companies will begin the solar installation process with an on-site assessment of your property. During this assessment, your installer will take exact measurements of your building, verify your property’s shade conditions, and inspect your roof to ensure the planned installation can be performed safely. If your aging roof needs to be replaced within the next five years, re-roofing is one of the best times to go solar as you can avoid potential costs to remove and re-install your system later.
Once your site assessment is conducted, your exact PV system design and site plans can be finalized with the assurance that there will be no surprises waiting to be discovered on installation day.
Step 2: Apply for solar permits and schedule your installation
With site and system plans up to local standards, the next step of the solar installation process is to apply for permits. While many installers will handle this part of the process, homeowners are also welcome to apply for solar building permits in many states, though regulations and requirements vary depending on where you live. In most residential areas, some sort of license—such as construction, electrical, or solar—is required to apply for a solar permit.
For a typical home solar installation, you will need to apply for both a building permit and an interconnection permit. Building permits can be obtained through your city or county government, whichever is the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), while interconnection permits are granted by your energy utility.
If no changes are requested to your solar plans, you can then schedule an installation date with your company or contractor. From nearly instantaneous to multiple months, permitting approval times vary greatly across the country, and depend primarily on your location and system complexity.
Step 3: Equipment delivery and physical installation
Following permitting approval, your solar system can legally be installed on your property. For most homeowners, physical solar installations are complete within one to three days, depending on your property’s features, installation complexity, and whether any unexpected delays arise.
Much more than just solar panels, your installation will consist of many additional components, including a mounting and racking system, inverters, wiring, safety features, and optional battery storage. If you find that your roof is not fit for a PV system, you may be able to install a ground-mounted solar system if there’s enough available space on your property.
Step 4: Final approvals and system activation
Finally, your solar installation must be approved by a representative from your AHJ and electric utility before it can be activated and interconnected to the local energy grid. This is the most important step of the installation process for the ongoing operation of your system, as it ensures that everything was installed correctly and can safely and reliably generate electricity on your property.
