Table Of Contents
Solar Energy Systems
With the increasing popularity of solar power and the cost of electricity, many people have had panels installed in their homes. Nearly all reviews by people who have installed solar systems show that they are pleased with their investment.
This major factor has made many people consider taking the bold step of switching to this alternative clean energy source. Some still hesitate to make this decision as they feel the installation process may take too long. Getting the necessary information should allay your fears when considering a solar system.
This article will estimate how long it would take to install solar panels.
Steps In the Solar Installation Process
Installing solar panels depends on the scale of your project. Different factors will determine how long the installation takes, such as the experience of the installation team and when a signed agreement is given. Considering the value you get in the end; it should be worth the wait if a good job is done.
This is especially if you have professional installation and communication partners. Delays in completion might be caused by slow permit processing and waiting for the utility company to finish processing your solar billing application.
Although you are not expected to get involved directly with the installation process, it is alright if you understand how the process works.
Step One: Site assessment
Once you find a suitable company to do the installation, the next step is assessing the site where you will do the project. You need to evaluate a potential location for installation before starting the process. Once you have chosen one, you must prepare it for the upcoming installation.
This ensures that it is both ready and safe for the installation process. The company would most likely send a professional site assessor to visit your home and check your roof and other features that will help them confirm your roof can support a solar power system there.
There are three areas that the contractor will inspect, including:
- The condition of the existing service panel, if there is one
- The current state of your roof
- Vent locations, roof dimensions, and potential shading
It is crucial to ascertain that the roof can sustain the weight of the solar panels and that the electrical panel can handle the energy required to generate. These professionals will also check to ensure that nothing can obstruct the solar panels from getting maximum exposure to sunlight.
They will also confirm that there is adequate space on the roof to accommodate the number of solar panels that are proposed. A professional assessor will need to review your HOA documents and quickly look over the site.
Experts also take sunlight and roof measurements and notes of areas that need repairs or upgrades before installing solar panels on your roof. On average, signing the contract and scheduling a site visit may take about a week.
Step Two: Designing and constructing the system
Engineers will check out the site data to ensure that it meets the needs of the design plan. They do this by assessing potential designs and making the necessary changes so they can create a quality solar system. A design engineer must check and approve the solar building plans before submission to the city for permits.
Professionals who specialise in residential solar panel systems design and engineering understand the permit process pretty well. This should reduce the time the city needs to review the plans and the possibility for corrections to be done.
Every system should be a unique design. There are rules, regulations, and steps to ensure that the final developed system meets the guidelines given by the city. Therefore, these professionals must meet city regulations and see to it that customers enjoy maximum return on investment.
Professionals typically ask the client to confirm the overall layout before applying for a permit. This helps them avoid issues in the future, and it can also give potential clients assurance that they are making a wise investment. Following this, a design engineer may then submit the plans to the city for releasing a permit.
Step Three: Applying for a solar permit
Before you can have solar panel installations in place in your home or office, there is the need for you to get the correct permits. This is similar to what is required of you when you are planning a construction project. Before the solar panel installation is done at your home or office, you must get all the necessary permits in order.
This is similar to how construction projects work. Without final approval from the city's Building and Energy - Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, it would be impossible for the installation to commence. Getting a government permit for a solar energy system can be long and complex, but it is a necessary process.
The building and safety department of the city where you want to install a solar panel determines which type of permit is required for your project. Typically, the process takes about two weeks, although there have been cases where a delay of up to four months has occurred.
Events and happenings could alter the programming of things at times. For example, COVID-19 made some cities change their process, and only a limited number of people were given in-person appointments.
Step Four: Installing solar panels
When you receive your permit, the next step is for your solar installation company to set a date to install this equipment on your roof. The process of installing the panels typically takes a short time. The only time your presence is needed is when giving access to professionals that need to enter certain parts of your home, like the garage.
While different factors will influence the time to install a solar panel, you could usually get it installed in under one day. Installers need to get to the installation site with everything they need, including racking, solar panels, solar inverter, cables, and wiring. The installation process will start with working on the electrical wiring and finish with installing the solar panels.
Many solar panels, multiple roof plans, or complicated roof patterns may require an extended period to install your solar energy system. With any one of these factors, you can confidentially feel good about your decision to install a new solar energy-generating system for your home.
Step Five: Inspection and final city approval
Installing a solar energy system basically means having a power plant on top of your roof. Therefore, the city must check and verify that all protocols were followed correctly and safely. A building inspector from the city will visit the site to ascertain that the solar panels were actually appropriately installed by following the city code.
This step also ensures that only the equipment that matches the approved engineering plans was used. In some cities and jurisdictions, additional inspections that are beyond the Building and Energy - Department of Mines, Industry Regulation, and Safety are required. If your city requires an inspection from a technician, you will have to wait patiently for their arrival.
The technician will walk through the installation, and at this point, the need for corrections may be seen and addressed immediately. The time the inspection stage will take can vary and will depend on factors like the time of the year and the absence or presence of a backlog of inspections that need to be made before yours.
Guidelines from your city's Building and Energy - Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety and how soon enough an inspector can come will also depend on how long this process will take. This step could take a week but could be more if corrections have to be made.
Step Six: Seeking permission to engage a utility company
When you have finally been issued a permit, there is one final step you have to take before your solar energy system can become activated for use. This step involves applying with a utility company so that a switch over to solar billing will be enabled for you.
You should get notified as soon as the utility company receives your application for solar billing alongside the signed-off job card as expected from the city inspection. The installation team will be prompted, too, with their approval to begin the installation process.
Solar billing, which is also aptly referred to as net energy metering (NEM), is a type of billing that makes it possible for the owners of Solar Photovoltaics (PV) Systems to capture and supply energy to the electric grid. Should your solar panels generate more electricity than is needed for your consumption, you can send the excess to the grid, and you will be given credits in return.
If you do not complete this final step, you will not receive any credit for whatever excess electricity you sell to your utility company. This step may take a week or one month, depending on your choice of the utility company.
Solar Installation And Approval Duration Factors
There are some slight differences in the time it would take to install residential or commercial solar energy systems. Solar energy systems installed for commercial purposes are more extensive and involve some more intricate steps during installation.
Generally, solar installation could take two weeks to several months before it is completed. Other issues can add a considerable length of time and bring about some delay during the installation process of a solar energy system. They include the following:
HOA approval
Since installing solar panels will bring about a significant change to how your home looks, it may be required of you to get approval from your homeowner's association, HOA. Sometimes, a simple notification will suffice, and no lengthy process is involved.
Upgrading the main panel
In many cases, a solar install-powered system can necessitate an upgrade of the main panel. Where you have a service panel, some additional steps are needed to go solar, which might need an additional electrical permit.
Inspections are typically required to make sure your solar system is compliant with regulations. A pre-lath inspection will be done, followed by a "rough" inspection, and lastly, the "final" inspection.
Speak To A Solar Installation Expert
It may seem like there is a long time needed to go solar, but in actual fact, it is worth the wait. Switching to solar energy use to power your electrical needs in your home or business is an initial investment that generally pays off in the end with good dividends.
With how utility companies raise their electricity rates, you can save some good money on your electricity bills. From all indications, electricity costs will not reduce or go away any time soon, but by going solar, you will be able to lock in the electricity bills for several years to come.
If you have a solar installation project coming up but have no idea how to go about it, speak to your local solar installation expert.