March 22, 2019
Maybe you’re interested in going solar for a whole host of reasons - financial, environmental, and otherwise - but the whole process seems a bit daunting. This is totally understandable. Like any investment, solar can seem appealing, but overwhelming. Once you get into it though, the whole solar process is actually relatively straightforward and, if you pick the right installer, it’s actually quite simple! For now though, we’ve boiled it down to 6 key steps so you can get a better understanding of how your idea becomes a reality.
#1 - Research
Before you go diving headfirst into anything, it’s important to curb your enthusiasm for a moment, and do some research first. What are your reasons for going solar? Are their good rebates and incentives available for solar consumers in your area? Are you in a good solar location, with an appropriate roof for solar installation? Of course, this research can be daunting in itself, and that’s where the next step comes in.
#2 - Installer
Choosing the right solar installer is probably the most important step of all. Not only will the installer be with you moving forward, but they can help you to do the research mentioned in step one, ensuring that you’re fully informed about solar in general - and, importantly, your own specific solar project. To make an informed decision, check out our recent blog posts, on picking a solar installer and asking the right questions before committing.
#3 - Site Survey
After selecting a solar installer and getting the ball rolling, it’s time to take the first, tentative steps toward making the project a reality. Your solar installer will send some experts to take a look at your property and determine its viability, taking everything from location to electrical connections to roof quality into account. This property evaluation will, of course, take place prior to any signed commitment to the project as it’s important for consumer and installer alike to get all the necessary information before moving forward.
#4 - Plan & Design
Following the site survey, assuming everything is in order and everyone is happy to go ahead, it’s time to bring in the engineers. An engineer will put together a design which suits your unique solar needs, planning for your specific property. Once you’ve reviewed these plans/designs and you give approval to proceed with the project, the solar installer will work to secure permits. After this planning and permitting stage, it’s time to move on to the fun part!
#5 - Install
After all that research and planning, the big day is finally here - the installation itself. You will, of course, have been kept in the loop with any and all developments in advance of the install date. Generally installations last anywhere from 1 - 3 days, usually just the one day for most residential systems. This estimate can vary and depends on both the size of the system and the complexity of the installation, particularly when additional equipment is involved.
#6 - Inspect
This stage is dependent on your municipality and the guidelines set out by your local government, but in most cases there will be one or two inspections following the installation. These inspections ensure that the system has been installed correctly with regards to electrical wiring and building codes. Once the inspectors give their approval you can expect your utilities provider to put the final piece of the puzzle in place - interconnection. This essentially means “turning your system on”. Once this is done, you can call yourself a fully-fledged member of the solar community. Congratulations!
If you think you’re ready to go solar, or you just want to learn a little more, contact YSG Solar today or give us a call at 212.389.9215.
Follow YSG Solar on Twitter, Instagram + Facebook.
By Shane Croghan
Sources:
https://news.energysage.com/solar-panel-installation-guide-what-should-you-expect/
https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/the-ultimate-guide-to-solar-panels
https://www.solarpowerrocks.com/solar-questions/going-solar-step-step/
Featured Image Source: Roofjockey [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
