If you’re ready to start your solar system installation it’s important that you choose a quality installer. This will determine not only the price and quality of your system, but also how long the process takes. To help with this, it’s best to ask for quotes from multiple companies that have been around for a few years and are NABCEP certified installers.

After you’ve selected your installer, they will schedule a series of site visits to design the system for your home and energy needs. The length of time this stage takes varies depending on your region and can take anywhere from one to four weeks.

Going Green: The Basics of Solar System Installation for Your Home

Once the design is finalized, your solar company will order the equipment and set up a date to install it on your roof. This step usually takes just one or two days for a simple installation. Your solar contractor will schedule a town inspection for the day of your installation to ensure that everything meets local electrical and building codes.

Once your solar power system is installed, it’s connected to an inverter that converts DC electricity from your panels into useable AC electricity. The inverter will then send the electricity to your fuse box via a cable, where you will add an additional circuit breaker to manage the flow of electricity. Finally, your utility company will install a new meter to track how much power you’re using from (and sending back to) the grid.