While many people are switching to solar power, the process can take a while. Make sure your home is a good fit, locate a reputable solar company, and gather and compare a few quotes before signing a contract. After that, others will handle obtaining permits for, installing, and finalizing your solar panels.
You might be curious about how long the solar process will take when getting solar for your home. To learn more about installing solar panels, please read this article.
Solar Installation Process
Solar panel installation and approval take time to complete in full. Every stage of the procedure will have a waiting period. Depending on your location, your solar provider, the solar panels you select, and the number of other people installing solar panels, the duration of each step may vary.
These are the steps to a solar system installation and approximately how long each step could take:
Site Assessment
Finding a solar company and having your site evaluated and approved are the first steps after that. A solar expert from your business will visit the location to check the roof and other elements to see if they can support a solar system.
The experts will ensure that both your electrical system and roof can support the weight of the energy you intend to produce. The experts will confirm the measurements and make sure nothing is blocking the sunlight.
From the initial phone call to schedule to the site visit itself, this step can take around 1–2 weeks.
Solar Permit Application
In the same way that you would for any construction project, you must obtain the proper permits from your local government before installing solar panels. When you’re making a major change to your home, your homeowner’s association may also want to know about it, and you may need approval from.
The permits you’ll require will differ depending on your local government, and the time it takes to obtain each permit will also differ depending on where you live.
You will typically need a construction permit, a general electrical permit, and/or a photovoltaic (PV) permit. Because you’re dependent on bureaucracy to move forward, this step can take anywhere from 3–6 or more weeks.
System Design
The type of solar panels and mountings you use will affect the time it takes to install your system. If parts are not in stock, your solar company might have to order them, which will extend the time it takes to complete your installation.
You might have to wait several weeks for the solar equipment to arrive if your solar company uses parts that must travel internationally. Before the installation can start, your solar system design might require one more approval.
If the solar experts who examined the site want to make changes, you might have to wait for permission before proceeding. Whether you need design approval and the source of your parts will affect this step.
It may take 1–2 weeks. The good news is that this can be finished concurrently with the previous permitting step!
Solar Panel Installation
To the surprise of most, once your installation is scheduled, this is the easiest step. Typically, the solar system installation will only take a few days thanks to your solar company. With all of the necessary tools, the installers will show up at your home and begin their work.
They will begin by installing the wiring system and complete the process by installing the panels themselves. Sometimes they can finish in a day, but if your roof is big or complicated, it might take a few days.
Depending on the size of your solar system and roof, this step can take 1–2 days.
Final Inspection
You must still wait before you can start producing electricity after installing your solar system on your roof. To ensure that the solar panels were installed legally and properly, a local inspector will need to visit the site.
Although it may seem tedious, this step is necessary to ensure that all installations are secure and prepared to begin producing electricity. The next step can differ depending on the season and the backlog of inspections at the moment.
Depending on where you live and how quickly the inspector can come, this step can take up to 1 week.
Permission To Operate With The Utility Company
You are now approaching the finish line. The final step is to submit an application to your utility provider, asking them to turn on the switch to connect your system. To measure how much energy you’re producing, the utility company will then frequently install a meter.
The duration of this final step, which includes the application and installation, can vary. Many customers experience anxiety during this stage, but in the end, the solar panels will be worthwhile.
This step can take up to 2 weeks, depending on your utility company.
Factors That Impact How Long It Takes To Install Solar Panels
The time it takes to complete a solar installation can range from three (3) weeks to several months. Your solar energy project might take much longer than expected due to a number of factors. The following are the main contributing factors to delays:
HOA Approval
Your homeowner’s association (HOA) may also want to be informed of the change and require an approval procedure because solar panels are a significant change to your home.
Main Panel Upgrade
43% of our customers have required a main panel upgrade from a 125A service panel to a 200A electrical panel. Going solar involves more steps and needs a second electrical permit when a service panel is present.
The main panel upgrade also needs to pass two to three city inspections. a preliminary inspection, a rough inspection, and a thorough inspection.
Roof Repair
While the solar energy system on your home is made to last for 25 years, the roof might not be. According to our company’s policy, we advise roof repair if your roof appears to need it in less than ten (10) years. The timeline for your solar installation project will be further elongated if your roof repair needs a permit.
Unpermitted Structures And Service Panel
Any unapproved structures or the main service panel could cause your solar energy project to be significantly delayed. Your home must have all work done on it approved by the city, or the unapproved work must be removed, in order to receive approval.
Solar Equipment Availability
Your solar equipment’s availability may be impacted by COVID-19 and the seasonality of solar energy. By the time your installation is supposed to take place, certain solar panels, inverters, and other crucial solar parts might no longer be in stock. If they aren’t already in stock, specialized parts might need to be ordered.
This will lengthen the installation process for your solar energy system. You may be required to submit a new set of plans to the city’s Building and Safety department if you intend to use equipment that differs from your original plans.
Read More:
- Will Solar Panels Work On An East-facing Roof?
- Can You Put Solar Panels On A Metal Roof?
- Can You Pressure Wash Solar Panels?
Conclusions
A solar installation can be finished in as little as a few weeks or as long as several months. You might think that this is a long time, but don’t let that stop you from switching to solar panels. The objective is to switch to solar energy as soon as possible to begin reducing your reliance on electricity.