How Long Will it Take and What is Involved in the Process?
It can take anywhere from 30-90 days to complete a residential solar installation, from the moment of the sale to the day of installation. Timelines vary by solar company and in our experience working in North Carolina jurisdictions, projects average a 40-60 day turnaround time. Factors that affect this include the volume of work the solar company is currently receiving, material availability, and each permitting jurisdiction’s turn around time. An efficient project timeline is a win for both the homeowner and the solar installation company. It is important for solar companies to expedite production as much as possible, without rushing and losing quality in the process.
The first step is to contact a solar installation company and schedule a consultation. It is very important to get at least 3 different quotes from solar companies in your area, so you can compare offerings and make an informed decision. During the on-site or virtual consultation, the installer will assess your energy needs and design a system that achieves your goals. They will help you determine if solar is right for you and provide you with a design and quote.
Once you have decided to move forward with solar, the installer will begin the process of designing your system. This includes determining the optimal roof location for your solar panels and the number of panels you will need to achieve a desired energy offset. The design process typically takes a day or two for traditional solar-only installs, depending on the complexity of the system.
Following the completion of the design process, designs are then submitted to a professional engineering team. The engineers perform electrical calculations to determine if the existing electrical system is able to accommodate solar, and a structural assessment to determine the roof ‘s capability in supporting the weight of the solar panel system. The professional engineers create and stamp a plan set used to detail the specifications of the installation.
The proposed construction of the solar system, as well as its size and AC output, is submitted to your utility company for approval to interconnect the system to their electrical grid. This process must be completed in order for homeowners to receive the benefits of solar, based on each utility company’s solar offering.
After the system has been engineered, the plan set is sent to the local jurisdiction in charge of permitting. Permit approval can take anywhere from a few days to a month, depending on the turnaround time of your local jurisdiction. Permits are typically approved in about two weeks, on average. Once the permits have been approved, the installer will schedule an installation date. The installation is typically completed in a day, but may require a few days for larger, more intensive projects.
Once the system is installed, the solar company will have the system inspected by your local jurisdiction. This is to ensure the system is installed to code and meets all safety standards. Once the inspection is complete, your utility company will be notified and they will grant you permission to operate the system. Your solar panels will then be producing and you will start saving money on your energy bills immediately.
Following the installation process, you will be given access to a solar production monitoring platform. Production monitoring may be viewed conveniently from a mobile app or on a desktop. This will allow you to see exactly how much the system is producing at any given time, as well as how much it produces over durations of time. The solar installation company will monitor your system as well, being alerted of any system issues or device failures. This allows for prompt service and minimal system downtimes.
Home Solar System Installation – Wilmington, NC
Here at Pamlico Solar, we are proud to offer home solar system installation services to residents in Wilmington and the entire coastal North Carolina community. Solar energy is a clean, renewable source of power that can save you money on your energy bills and help to protect the environment. Our team of solar experts will work with you to design a custom solar system to meet your home energy needs. We will then install the home solar system quickly and efficiently, so you can start enjoying the benefits of solar power right away. Contact us today to learn more about our home solar system installation services.
