Residential Solar Panel Installations

 

Solar panel installation isn’t a one-off job and then you’re done. It’s a serious process that needs to go through the right stages so the equipment can start providing clean energy to your house. The time it normally takes from when you sign the contract to having your panels power your home is about three months max.

 

To prepare you for such endeavour, we’ve provided you with an outline to all of the steps needed to undergo a proper solar panel installation today.

1. A Solar Engineer Visit Your Home for the First Time

 

Once you’ve signed the dotted lines and agreed to have solar power installed, the first thing you should expect is an engineer who’ll be visiting your property. They’ll be arriving to assess the status of your home’s electrical capabilities while also making sure that a new solar energy system is right for it. Normally, this engineer works for the installation company but it’s also possible that an independent contractor will be hired. This site visit should happen as soon as possible.

 

While at your area, the engineer is going to look into the roof’s condition to make sure it’s structure is durable. They will then check the electrical panel and see if any upgrades are needed. Keep in mind that a visit by an engineer is not the same as a general site visit – as the latter is the time installers evaluate the property to consider if it’s fit to have solar panels installed.

 

2. Fulfilling All Legal Paperwork

 

Just like all major decisions we do in life, having solar panels installed in your home also requires paperwork to be accomplished. The good news about this part is that your installer will usually take care of this so there’s not much hassle for you. However, you should still get involved in this matter so you’ll know everything that goes on with the solar installation process. Among the most important aspects that you’ll be filing an application for are the state and federal solar incentives.

 

Besides that, you also have to secure building permits as well. Such documents will have specific guidelines depending on where you live. For instance, some areas may require a roof to have at least a few meters of clear space around its solar panels while others may allow the entire roof to be covered with panels. Installers are aware of all these regulations and restrictions so they can easily help you out in this area.

 

This step’s time frame will primarily depend on how fast your installer can get everything done and submitted to the proper authorities. You can always do a follow-up on your solar panel company to get an update of your paperwork’s progress.

 

3. Acquiring the Necessary Equipment for Your Solar Energy System

 

Once the paperwork has been secured, the next step for you and your installer would be to place an order for the equipment needed. You will have already chosen the kind of system you want for your home at this time and the order would most likely go through your installer’s main distributor.

 

There are a few things however that you need to pay attention to if you want to make the most of this step. First is that two of the most important parts you need to focus on are the solar panels and inverters of your system. The efficiency and durability of these components are the primary attributes to look for apart from the price. You can follow these with the appearance to make sure that it matches your roof and your home overall.

 

When the equipment has been ordered, you’ll be placed in the queue to have your solar panel system installed. The panels and inverters would most likely be delivered at the same time installation starts and this can only happen once all documents have been approved. This typically can take between one to two months while the date of installation will depend on the schedule of your installer.

 

4. The Day of Installation

 

The fourth step is when all parts of the solar panel installation process are ready and so installation can begin. Installers often begin by making the necessary preparations on your roof and ensuring that all of the tiles or shingles are steadily attached. The wiring would then come next which will be used to connect the power system to the electric panels.

 

Once done, the racking that supports the panels are put up and the solar panels are installed on them. The last thing that will be added are the inverters which will be linked to all panels so it can convert direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC), the proper energy that can be used for a home.

 

The time for this step would usually take one to three days but will also depend on the size of your system you plan to have installed. One more thing that might contribute to the time needed is the installation of a power meter as this can add a few more hours to the process. The installer may also make a few suggestions based on your individual setup about service tips and any ongoing routine maintenance

 

5. Solar Power Generation Commences

 

This last step will be activating the entire solar system so that it can begin generating the power needed by your household. Prior to being connected to the electric grid however, government representatives will have to assess the system and see if everything has been done according to regulations. The job of these individuals will be to confirm that all wiring is done right, the mounting is attached and safe for use and that the overall installation follows all standards.

 

After this inspection, your system will now be approved for grid interconnection. One last check from your electric company is left and then you’re good to go. So long as there aren’t any major problems, you can expect your solar panels to be live by the time everything has been approved.

 

Again, the time it can take for the government, utility and interconnection approvals to be completed would be about two weeks to a month. There may be a small chance that you would need a bigger or smaller solar system depending on your usage and this guide on how to know what size solar system you need is very helpful, and here is another useful guide for understanding how much money you can save with what solar panel system.

 

If you’re looking for reliable solar specialists in Perth today, then you’ve come to the right place. Solar WA can provide you with the equipment and approvals that you need to have your very own clean energy. Want to know more? Contact us now!

 

 

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