With more and more home and business owners across the U.S. investing in solar systems, you might be starting to seriously consider having a system installed yourself. If so, you might also be curious to know what exactly is involved when solar panels are installed on your roof, and how long the process might take.
Going green and investing in a solar system (rather than being green with envy as your neighbors make savings on their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprint!), takes between 1 and 3 months, and is as simple as the following 7 steps:
Step one
Obtaining solar permits and approvals
After meeting with your chosen solar panel provider and installer, you will sign an agreement and they will start getting the necessary permits from organizations such as the city permitting department, a city engineer, HOA, and your utility company. This process can take up to 6 weeks, depending on the speed at which each relevant department grants the necessary approvals and permits.
If you work with an experienced and reliable company, they will take care of this without you needing to be involved at all.
Step two
Obtaining an interconnection agreement
If you’ve decided to remain connected to the energy grid, as many home and business owners do, an interconnection agreement will be required by your utility company. Requirements may differ from state to state, but the application will include details about how much energy your home uses, the size and specifications of solar panels needed, along with an engineer’s design.
Step three
Installation of panels
When all necessary permits have been obtained and the materials have been ordered, your chosen provider with install the panels over a period of 1 or 2 days.
Step four
Final inspection
Once installed, a final inspection will need to be carried out to ensure that the entire system conforms to safety regulations, and adheres to all building, electrical and fire codes. In some states, this inspection may be carried out while the panels are being installed, while other states may request it to be carried out right before you switch your new system on.
Step five
Permission to operate
When your new solar panels have been successfully installed, your system provider will apply to the utility company for what is called ‘permission to operate.’ In order to gain net-metering credits (if this applies in your state), a two-way energy meter may need to be installed with energy tracking capabilities.
Step six
Activation of panels
It doesn’t take long to switch on your solar panels to activate them, and should take no longer than a few minutes. Begin by turning on the switch labelled: ‘PV Solar Breaker’ in the electric panel, and turning on the solar inverter. But don’t worry, your installation company should be there with you when you do this, just to make sure everything goes smoothly.
Step seven
Solar panel lift-off!
Your home will start generating clean energy from the sun’s rays as soon as it has been switched on, making you an instant member of an exclusive club, consisting of environmentally conscious property owners all keen to do their bit to help save the planet and reduce their energy bills while doing so.
Sounds simple? Sounds appealing? Why not schedule your first consultation with a local solar panel company and join millions of other property owners as they reap the rewards of cleaner, greener energy.