How to Install Solar Panels (Detailed Step-By-Step Guide) Contact online >>
How to Install Solar Panels (Detailed Step-By-Step Guide)
The 5 steps of a home solar panel installation
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Going solar can feel like a complex process––there''s a lot that goes into getting panels up and running on your roof! EnergySage and our team of expert Energy Advisors make it simple, helping you navigate every step along the way. But it still may help your peace of mind to learn about the steps.
Even before you purchase or install anything, you''ll need to determine if your home is a good fit for solar. Then, when you''re ready to move forward, it''s time to find a solar panel installer who can help you through the planning, engineering, permitting, installation, and final approval and interconnection. That''s a lot to unpack, so we''ve put together this guide to help you navigate the preliminary research and the solar installation process.
Evaluate your energy needs, decide if your home is suitable for solar, explore incentives near you, compare quotes from qualified installers, and decide how to pay for solar before you sign a solar installation contract.
The five main steps to installing a solar panel system include an engineering site visit, permits and documentation, ordering equipment, the solar panel installation, and approval and interconnection.
The entire process usually takes one to three months before your solar panels start generating electricity.
The actual installation work generally takes one to three days.
We don''t recommend installing solar panels yourself without professional experience.
The higher your electric bill, the more money you can save by going solar. To understand your current electricity usage, look for a measurement of your annual kilowatt hours (kWh) rating on your bill or on your account page on your utility''s website. In addition to the environmental benefits, installing solar panels can offset or even eliminate your electricity bill from your monthly expenses.
The less energy your home needs, the less demand you put on the electric grid. Before you size a solar panel system to fit your energy needs, consider undergoing a home energy audit to uncover anything that makes your home less efficient. Switching to energy-efficient lighting and appliances or weatherizing your home may help to lessen your electricity expenses.
A solar panel system comes with significant upfront costs, but when done right, it''ll pay in the end. To get the most out of your system, ensure your home can accommodate solar panels before installing them on your roof.
Your roof''s shading, its orientation and angle towards the sun, and its age all contribute to its potential to generate solar energy. In a perfect world, your panels will face south and tilt between 15 and 40 degrees. You can still have a productive solar panel system if your roof falls outside of those parameters, but it''s important to understand how your home''s specifications may impact a solar installation. A variety of tools online can help you identify the details of your home.
Incentives and state and federal tax rebates can substantially cut your overall costs to install solar. The Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) alone can save you 30% on the upfront costs for solar, with state and local rebates knocking the price down even more depending on where you live.
Given initial costs are an average of about $30,000 nationwide, it''s extremely worth your while to look into any discounts you can apply. Our Energy Advisors can help you track down incentives, or you can read through our state-based research to find savings on your own.
Once you''ve identified your energy needs, your home''s potential, and the incentives in your area, it''s time to find a qualified solar professional to handle your installation. Using the EnergySage Marketplace, you can find solar providers in your area and compare quotes to choose the best installer based on your unique needs. We cover everything you need to know about picking a solar installer.
When you''ve selected an installer, it''s time to decide how you want to pay for your solar panel system. Generally, we recommend paying with cash for the best long-term savings or a loan if you want to start saving immediately. We''re not big fans of leases because they mean you don''t own your solar panels, don''t qualify for most incentives, and they result in the lowest savings.
Then, you''re ready to sign a contract with your installer and get ready for your solar installation!
When you think about solar power, you might picture solar panels on the roof of a home. Rooftop solar is a beneficial opportunity for those able to install it, but it''s not the only way to go solar. Residential, commercial, utility-scale, and community solar are different types of solar panel systems with distinct installation processes and advantages.
Residential solar: Solar panel systems at standalone homes, commonly installed on rooftops.
Commercial solar: Larger solar panel installations typically found on flat roof spaces of commercial and industrial buildings.
Utility-scale solar: Large-scale solar power plants that sell electricity directly to utilities. You might see these in large open spaces off the highway.
Community solar: Large-scale solar power plants (but usually smaller than utility-scale solar projects). Community solar projects allow local utility customers to subscribe to the "solar farm" in exchange for a discount on their electric bills.
Once you decide on a solar company and system, the installation process begins. The time it takes to get your solar panels up and running depends on a handful of factors. Generally, you can expect to wait a few months before your solar panels produce energy for your home. In that time, your solar company should follow these five main steps:
The first step to installing your solar system is an engineer site visit. After you sign a solar contract, an engineer will come by your property to evaluate the electrical status of your home and ensure everything is compatible with your incoming solar installation. During their visit, the engineer will evaluate the condition of your roof and your electrical panel (the gray box in your basement) to confirm your home can support a solar panel system.
An engineer will typically visit your home themselves, although sometimes installers take photos and measurements of the property and have the engineer sign off without doing their visit.
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