The Process Of Residential Solar Panel Installation
You’ve finally decided to join your friends and neighbors and go for a residential solar panel installation. Now what? Step 1 The first step is selecting an installer. You may find one through references from friends and neighbors or conduct a local search online. Once you’ve come up with a list of at least three installers, determine what size solar system you will require. Most installers provide a free solar calculator that will give you a good estimate on the system size (kilowatts) you will require to balance your electricity consumption, the cost per kilowatt, the number of kilowatt hours the solar system will operate on a yearly basis and financing options available to you. When you’re ready to narrow your installer options, base your decision on the answers given to the following questions: 1.How long will it take the company to install and connect your system to main grid? Is there a waiting list?
2. What are the net metering rates and what incentives can you take advantage of? 3. What types of panels do they provide and additional equipment, i.e. inverters? 4. What are the company’s financing options and what rates do they offer? 5. Determine what the company’s licenses and accreditations are? 6. Ask whether they take care of permitting and what is your role in this process? This step may be conducted via email, on the phone or through an onsite visit by the contractor. If you’re satisfied with a particular residential solar panel installation company, you can sign a contract. Step 2 This is where the installation begins. The contractor will conduct a first inspection. They will arrive at your home to physically inspect the property and determine if it’s solar ready.
They will also inspect the electrical panel to see it is capable of handling a solar installation or whether an upgrade is needed first. At this time, the contractor will also figure out where to install the panels. He or she will inspect the roof to ensure it is sound to support the weight of the panels and racking system as well as additional equipment such as the inverter. Step 3 In this step, the process of obtaining a permit begins. Most of this portion is handled by your solar contractor. You will be required to sign certain documents but they will be the ones to submit them to the utility company and local agency for approval. The contractor will also assist you in signing up for the federal investment tax credit and other local incentives such as solar renewable energy certificates and net-metering. The duration of this step will depend on where you reside, taking from a few days up to three months. Towns that are designated as Solar Friendly Communities have made the permit process easier and faster.
Step 4 Now your contractor will obtain the equipment and install the system. If the equipment is not in stock, the contractor will order it, usually while waiting for the permitting process to finish. Once all the equipment arrives, the installation team will begin preparing your home and roof for the new solar system. The duration for installing your panels will take between 1 to 3 days. This depends on the roofing materials and system size. First the roof is inspected once more to ensure it can handle the weight of the racking system and panels. The installer and sometimes the utility company may install a power meter that enables bi-directional electricity metering (net metering). Then wiring for the system will also take place, followed by the racking equipment and solar panels. In the final step, your panels will be connected to the power controllers or the inverter.
Step 5 This is the last leg of the installation process, called interconnection. This is perhaps the most difficult step because after your system is physically installed you have to actually wait to be interconnected to the utility grid and also for final approval. Before you can start going online and obtaining energy from the sun, your system needs a final inspection conducted by city or utility officials. The inspectors are there to ensure your installer has safely installed the panels and entire system properly and to code. Once the inspector has given his or her approval, you can begin enjoying the many of getting a solar panel installation. To speak to a contractor for your residential solar panel installation, contact PSSolarsystem.
GET IN TOUCH Address(1): 19909 SW 7th Place, Pembroke Pines, Florida, USA Address(2): 12268 NW 106 Court, Medley, FL, 33178 Contact No. :
1-800-511-0184
E-mail: mysolar@pssolarsystems.com Website: http://www.pssolarsystems.com/