What to expect from a residential solar panel installation project

Green energy solutions like solar panels are getting a lot of attention lately. If you’re one of the many people thinking about getting solar panels, but want to know what to expect from the installation process, this blog is for you. We’ll go over each step of a residential solar system installation so you’ll know what is involved.

Planning for residential solar panel installation

Solar energy calculations are complicated. To figure out what system will work best for you, including personalized projected energy savings, your installer will need to know a few things about your location and current energy status. Answers to questions about how much sun your roof gets, its condition, your current energy bills and the capacity of your electric panel all factor into this. They will assess what permits are required for your location and jurisdiction, and which incentives you qualify for.

Starting the installation process

Once you decide on solar panels and give the go-ahead, the installer will move forward with the permitting process and order the necessary equipment. BC Hydro will then need to approve your installation. Approval usually only takes a few days.

Installation

Once permits are approved and equipment has arrived, installation of your solar system will begin. Racks are attached to your roof, then the solar panels are added. Inverters are connected to change solar energy to the AC energy your home uses. This whole process can take anywhere from a day to a few days to complete. There is very little disruption--some hammering on the roof.

Final approval and switch on!

Finally, your installer will commission the system and provide completion reports to BC Hydro and Technical Safety BC. They will send someone to finalize the installation and once the final approval is granted your system will be live! Your energy savings begin immediately.

From start to finish, a residential solar system installation process can take anywhere from one month to a few months depending on how long permitting and approvals take. So the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll start saving.

Want to start saving money with solar energy? Contact NetZero Solar to get started on a residential solar panel installation for your home, today.