After getting chosen an organization, you’ll start the photo voltaic panel set up course of. Set up often takes one to a few months however can take longer. Frequent delays embody ready for allow approvals, availability in your installer’s schedule or points with closing inspections. Right here is an summary of the set up course of and the steps your installer will take to finish it.
1. An Engineer Conducts a Web site 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 workers 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 suitable together with your new photo voltaic system. Any previous or low energy techniques 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 power. Your roof have to be sturdy sufficient to assist photo voltaic panels and racking techniques. In line with Sunpower Photo voltaic, most panels weigh about 40 kilos every. The engineer will examine 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, you could have to carry out upgrades previous to set up. Moreover, the design and angle of your roof will decide when you want particular mounting tools.
2. Installer Submits Permits and Paperwork
Your installer will submit all the mandatory paperwork and permits in 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 are going to confirm that the system complies with all native hearth codes and laws.
- Interconnection settlement: You want this settlement together with your native photo voltaic firm to attach your system to the electrical energy grid. Except you intend to go off-grid, you will have the facility supplied by your photo voltaic system when the panels should not in use. You even have the chance to use for native net-metering packages, which let you promote your extra power again to the utility firm for credit or funds.
- Photo voltaic incentive functions: Householders ought to apply for certified photo voltaic incentive packages to scale back set up prices. Your photo voltaic supplier must be aware of native packages and provide help with these functions.
Extra paperwork could also be required in your House owner’s Affiliation (HOA). Some HOAs have laws on photo voltaic panel techniques 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 in opposition to these restrictions. Texas, for instance, has a Photo voltaic Rights code that stops HOAs from blocking photo voltaic panel installations. Verify together with your native consultant to confirm such restrictions or guidelines.
Software approval occasions differ 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 accepted, the photo voltaic firm locations your order for the tools. The order contains your chosen kind of photo voltaic panels and the supporting mounting system. Your supplier might have given you choices in your model of inverter. The inverter converts incoming photo voltaic power from direct present (DC) power to alternating present (AC) power wanted in your dwelling. Extra equipment, comparable to battery backup techniques, additionally include this order.
Subsequent, your installer will choose an set up date. The date could also be delayed relying on tools availability and your photo voltaic installer’s schedule. Most installers attempt to work with prospects 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 mandatory tools and intention to finish the set up in at some point. If your property requires particular mounting tools or a posh set up, your undertaking might take a number of days to finish.
Installers will measure and mark your roof for panel set up. They are going to set up {the electrical} wiring and mounting tools earlier than attaching your photo voltaic panels. Then they assemble the opposite components of the solar energy system, together with inverters, battery banks and different equipment.
5. Inspection and Activation of Your System
Your photo voltaic system have to be inspected and accepted earlier than activation. A neighborhood authorities consultant will test for defective wiring, unfastened mounting techniques 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 test the system earlier than activation. Once more, your installer will e-book this appointment and allow you to know the anticipated timeline for completion.
