Solar Panel Installation: Step-by-Step Breakdown
Installing Solar Panels on Your Home
Installing solar panels on your home typically takes just a day or two, but the journey from your first quote to powering your home can span several weeks.
While the process involves a few important stages — like design, permitting, and final inspection — you won't be navigating it alone. This guide breaks down exactly what happens during each step so you know what to expect, helping you feel confident and prepared as you make the switch to clean, reliable solar energy.
Contract and Design
Let’s get started! This combined stage is rather straightforward, and it focuses primarily on reviewing, signing, and approving a range of documents, some of which can be handled online.
Introductory meetings: Speak with a sales representative to review your options for going solar, including any incentives that can reduce the cost of solar panels, and whether purchasing or leasing solar panels is the best fit for you.
Site survey: For most homes, the site survey can be completed virtually. In addition to satellite imagery, you may need to provide additional information or photographs before your system design can be finalized.
Contract review and signing: Your contract outlines the design, pricing, and financing information (if applicable), as well as storage options, any necessary site improvements, and additional coverage, like through Palmetto Protect.
Document review: Once you sign your contract, the solar company will carefully review all documents.
Engineering design: A design and engineering team will review the information submitted, as well as mapping data on your roof, and solar regulations in your area, to configure the best solar energy system for maximum performance and long-term savings.
Permitting & Approvals
A solar company will navigate the permitting and approvals process for you. That includes coordination with your utility and your “authority having jurisdiction” (your local permitting authority).
The permitting process takes 2-4 weeks on average to complete, but it can range from instantaneous to 6 or more weeks.
Interconnection
Because your home will remain connected to the electrical grid, your electricity provider will need to approve interconnection.
Installation
Once all necessary approvals are received, it’s time for installation day! Installation typically takes a day or two.
Inspection
Inspections are required to ensure your solar energy installation meets safety regulations and zoning laws, as well as the electrical, building, and fire codes in your area.
Permission to Operate
After your installation is complete and has passed final inspections, you need “permission to operate” (PTO) from your electricity provider. In most cases, an employee from your local utility company will visit your home to install a new bi-directional electricity meter capable of tracking both the energy you produce and the energy you use for net metering.
Activation
Now it’s time to turn on your solar power system and start generating electricity. You’ll need to turn on the “PV solar breaker” switch in your electric panel, then turn on the AC disconnect, and finally turn on the solar inverter.
Solar Panel Installation Steps
| Step | What happens? |
|---|---|
| Contract and design | The solar company designs your solar panel system and you sign a contract agreeing to the proposal. |
| Permitting and approvals | The solar company pulls necessary permits. |
| Interconnection | The solar company submits the necessary paperwork to your utility to get approval for your project. |
| Installation | Solar panels go up on your roof! |
| Inspection | An inspector ensures everything is up to code before the panels are activated. |
| Permission to operate | A final approval from your utility that let's you switch the panels on. |
| Activation | You're generating clean energy! |
After Activation
Congratulations! Your solar panels are now generating clean electricity for your home.
After your system is active, there are still a few things you can do to get the most out of your system.
- Track your production: With solar monitoring, like in the Palmetto App, you can track how much electricity your solar energy system is generating.
- Monitor your consumption: Your solar power system was designed for a certain level of energy usage, but often, when people go solar they start using more electricity than they did before.
- Take care of your solar panels: Palmetto Protect provides the regular maintenance your solar panels need to generate electricity with maximum efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to install solar panels? That depends on the project. System size, panel type, local labor costs, the design of your roof, financing, permitting fees, and your eligibility for tax credits or incentives all factor into the cost of installing a new home solar system.
How long does it take to install solar panels? Installing the solar panels on your roof takes a day or two, but the full process typically lasts a few weeks largely depending on permitting, inspection, and gaining permission to operate from local authorities or utility companies.
How long do solar panels last? Solar panels typically come with a 25 year production warranty, which states that they will produce at a certain percentage of their rated capacity at that time. Solar panels can continue to generate electricity after that time.