After you have chosen an organization, you’ll start the photo voltaic panel set up course of. Set up normally takes one to 3 months however can take longer. Widespread delays embrace ready for allow approvals, availability in your installer’s schedule or points with remaining inspections. Right here is an outline of the set up course of and the steps your installer will take to finish it.
1. An Engineer Conducts a Website Go to
An engineer out of your photo voltaic firm will conduct a web site go to to finalize plans earlier than set up begins. The engineer could also be a member of the in-house employees or a part of the installer’s community of third-party contractors. Throughout their analysis, the engineer checks the capability of your electrical system to ensure it’s appropriate along with your new photo voltaic system. Any outdated or low energy methods will have to be upgraded to deal with the amps of present required to run your photo voltaic system.
The engineer additionally assesses the situation of your roof and determines its energy. Your roof should be robust sufficient to assist photo voltaic panels and racking methods. Based on Sunpower Photo voltaic, most panels weigh about 40 kilos every. The engineer will evaluate the dimensions of your panel set up with the situation of your roof. In case your roof is in poor situation or in want of restore, chances are you’ll have to carry out upgrades previous to set up. Moreover, the design and angle of your roof will decide in the event you want particular mounting gear.
2. Installer Submits Permits and Paperwork
Your installer will submit all the required paperwork and permits on your new photo voltaic system. Most photo voltaic corporations will replace you on the standing of the applying. The next paperwork are required for many installations:
- Electrical and constructing permits: The native Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) should approve your photo voltaic system set up. They’ll confirm that the system complies with all native hearth codes and rules.
- Interconnection settlement: You want this settlement along with your native photo voltaic firm to attach your system to the electrical energy grid. Except you propose to go off-grid, you will want the facility supplied by your photo voltaic system when the panels are usually not in use. You even have the chance to use for native net-metering applications, which let you promote your extra vitality again to the utility firm for credit or funds.
- Photo voltaic incentive purposes: Owners ought to apply for certified photo voltaic incentive applications to scale back set up prices. Your photo voltaic supplier ought to be aware of native applications and supply help with these purposes.
Further paperwork could also be required on your House owner’s Affiliation (HOA). Some HOAs have rules on photo voltaic panel methods to protect property values and total neighborhood aesthetics. On uncommon events, an HOA might block the set up of photo voltaic panels. Many states have legal guidelines in place to guard residents towards these restrictions. Texas, for instance, has a Photo voltaic Rights code that stops HOAs from blocking photo voltaic panel installations. Test along with your native consultant to confirm such restrictions or guidelines.
Software approval instances range between states. Some areas approve permits in seven days or much less, whereas others can take a number of weeks. Ask your photo voltaic supplier for an estimated timeline and updates on the standing of your permits.
3. Order Your Photo voltaic Tools
After your paperwork is authorized, the photo voltaic firm locations your gear order. The order consists of your chosen sort of photo voltaic panels and the supporting mounting system. Your supplier might have given you choices on your model of inverter. The inverter converts incoming photo voltaic vitality from direct present (DC) vitality to alternating present (AC) vitality wanted on your house. Further equipment, akin to battery backup methods, additionally include this order.
Subsequent, your installer will choose an set up date. The date could also be delayed relying on gear availability and your photo voltaic installer’s schedule. Most installers attempt to work with clients to discover a date that matches everybody’s schedule.
4. Putting in Your Photo voltaic System
In-house installers or third-party contractors will set up your photo voltaic system. The crew will arrive with all the required gear and purpose to finish the set up in in the future. If your private home requires particular mounting gear or a posh set up, your mission might take a number of days to finish.
Installers will measure and mark your roof for panel set up. They’ll set up {the electrical} wiring and mounting gear earlier than attaching your photo voltaic panels. Then they assemble the opposite elements of the solar energy system, together with inverters, battery banks and different equipment.
5. Inspection and Activation of Your System
Your photo voltaic system should be inspected and authorized earlier than activation. A neighborhood authorities consultant will verify for defective wiring, free mounting methods or potential hearth hazards. After passing this inspection, your system will obtain a allow to function (PTO). Your installer will schedule this inspection, which can take a number of weeks.
Lastly, an electrician out of your native utility firm will verify the system earlier than activation. Once more, your installer will ebook this appointment and allow you to know the anticipated timeline for completion.
