In 2018, researchers at Stanford University mapped 1.47 million solar roofs in America. It’s a growing trend for consumers to turn to solar energy, so you may be curious about installing solar panels on your home’s roof or a ground-mounted system at your home’s property.
However, you might be afraid that it’s a whole process that’s difficult to deal with, considering it’s a type of home renovation. But in reality, it may be easier than you think.
If you’re considering installing solar panels, then keep reading. We’ll tell you all about what to expect.
Preparation
When you decide on solar panels for your home, you’ll need to have contractors do the work for you.
But before they can get started on the actual work, there are a few things they’ll have to do first. We’ll explore each of those steps below.
Site Inspection
Every home is different, which means solar panel installation is always a custom job. So before a contractor can physically place the panels onto your house, they need to first take a look at it.
After they’ve visited the site and see what they have to work with, they can then design the specific solar panel system that suits both your property and your needs.
The contractor may find certain aspects of your property that pose a challenge to the installation, such as roof issues and trees. At this point, you can discuss solutions to these challenges so that you can have the most effective solar panel system. Addressing these obstacles early on will help the rest of the installation process to go smoothly. The final design should take anywhere between 1 to 2 weeks to complete.
Getting Permits
Once the design is set for your solar panel system, the next step is getting the right permits. Your contractor will submit the design they came up with, and you agreed to.
Again, this is considered a home renovation project, and with those, you need the proper permits and go-aheads from your municipality or risk fines.
Every region may have its own local rules for solar panel permitting, which can be daunting. However, if you have a professional working for you, then it shouldn’t be a challenge.
Qualified professionals who have experience installing solar panels should be familiar with the local area’s permitting process. As a result, they’ll be able to handle this step with ease, leaving you with little to worry about.
Getting the right permits can take anywhere between 2 to 4 weeks. It may take a bit longer if you run into any obstacles with getting your designs approved, as your contractor will have to tweak the design and resubmit.
As long as these adjustments are made, you will always be able to get approval.
Installation
Hopefully, you should get your permits approved in a timely fashion. Even if that’s not the case, your contractor should be able to work their expertise to quickly revise designs to be up to standard for your municipality.
Once you’ve gotten approval, then your contractor can go ahead with the installation process.
The first few hours of work can be quite noisy. After that, the installation should not be audible from inside the home.
Now that the contractor has gained approval from the utility, electrical and the building department, they can proceed with the installation. The contractor and their crew will show up with the proper material and set up mounting equipment. They will hook up the proper wiring for your solar panels. Once these are done, then they can connect the solar panels appropriately.
If it’s a simple enough job, it’s possible for the crew to finish the installation job in just a day or two. However, if your solar panel system is more complicated, then it may take a bit longer. Expect bigger projects to take one to two weeks, max.
Electric and Building Inspections
Unfortunately, installation isn’t the last part of the solar panel process. Before you can switch those panels on, the local building and electrical departments have to give you the okay to do so.
Depending on what utility you’re working with, an inspector from your utility company will come and check if everything has been installed correctly. It’s also possible they will install a net meter at no additional cost to you. This is a device that can send back any excess energy generated to the electrical grid. The inspection may take a couple of days to complete.
Activation of Your Solar Panels
After the inspection, you’ll have to wait to hear back from the utility company. As we stated above, it may take a week or two for everything to go through.
Once you’ve received an approval letter, this means you can start using your solar panels!
Installing Solar Panels Is Easy
When it comes to installing solar panels, it’s really a painless process. If you were previously hesitant to switch to solar power because you were afraid of a whole ordeal, then hopefully, this article’s given you some peace of mind.
While yes, it will still cause some inconveniences, they’ll be negligible when you see how much you can save on utility bills. Plus, you’ll be doing your part in looking after the environment!
Are you now convinced about using solar panels? Then get in touch with us now to schedule your solar panel installation!
