The Process of Installing Solar Panels (2023)

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Faith Wakefield is a writer based in North Carolina. She holds economics and English degrees from UNC Chapel Hill, and her work has been featured on EcoWatch, The World Economic Forum and Today’s Homeowner. In her free time, she loves to binge-watch personal finance videos on YouTube, collect books and spend time in nature. Homemade Solar Tracker

The Process of Installing Solar Panels (2023)

Tori Addison is an editor who has worked in the digital marketing industry for over five years. Her experience includes communications and marketing work in the nonprofit, governmental and academic sectors. A journalist by trade, she started her career covering politics and news in New York’s Hudson Valley. Her work included coverage of local and state budgets, federal financial regulations and health care legislation.

If you’re in the process of purchasing a solar panel system, you’re probably wondering what you can expect on the day of your installation. It’s not always easy to find correct, detailed and up-to-date information about solar installations online.

To better understand the process, I shadowed NC Solar Now’s team on the day of a solar installation in Fuquay Varina, N.C. Chris Baker, the company’s sales operations manager, walked me through the installation process from start to finish and provided insights into what it takes to complete a solar project.

The site of the solar panel installation in North Carolina

Writer Faith Wakefield (right) and Chris Baker, NC Solar Now’s Sales Operations Manager

Before a solar installation can begin, NC Solar Now starts the process by securing necessary permits, designing the system and creating the customer agreement. NC Solar Now also applies for interconnection with the utility company on behalf of the homeowner. Interconnection allows customers to track their energy use and earn net metering bill credits.

Chris explained that this process typically takes anywhere from four to six weeks, depending on homeowners association, permitting and interconnection approval timelines.

After the above steps are complete, you can schedule your solar installation.

I arrived at the site of the solar installation at 8:30 a.m. By that time, the NC Solar Now team had begun setting up. The panels were delivered prior to the installation date, and the team was already on the roof.

Chris explained that taking proper precautions and organizing the team before an installation is crucial to completing the job safely and efficiently. Before installing a solar system, the solar team must complete prep work, perform a job site hazard analysis and request final approval from the homeowner.

The solar team and electricians’ equipment

Once everything is ready and the proper safety equipment secured, the team begins installing the solar system on the roof, including the lags, rails, microinverters and panels. This is typically the quickest part of the process. Chris explained that, for straightforward projects, installation can take as little as half a day.

“It really depends on the scope of the job and the distance from the office,” he added. “[During the summer months] we try to get an early start to beat the heat.”

During my solar installation ride-along, I watched the team lift the very long solar rails onto the roof and begin attaching the necessary electrical equipment, both on the roof and through the main service panel in the homeowner’s garage.

Once the installation is complete, NC Solar Now will check that the system is working and submit a permission to operate request to the utility company so the homeowner can start using the solar system as soon as possible.

Because a solar team member needs to check inside the attic before securing the panels to the roof, someone needs to be home to let them inside. Additionally, NC Solar Now will always ask for homeowner approval for any last-minute changes to the system design, so it’s best for the homeowner to be present during the installation.

Although the solar team is careful not to disturb any of the homeowner’s belongings, accidents do happen. It’s wise to move anything breakable or valuable inside or to a safe place while the team is completing the project.

The solar installation process is complex, and the timeline for every project is different depending on local regulations, neighborhood homeowners association requirements, roof conditions and customer preferences.

Reputable solar companies like NC Solar Now touch base with customers throughout the entire process so all parties are on the same page. Every solar company’s process is a little different, but I was impressed with NC Solar Now’s organization and efficiency. Chris walked me through the company’s solar installation checklist that the team uses to make sure nothing gets overlooked.

NC Solar Now’s Solar Installation Checklist

Whether you are searching for the best solar installers or determining which solar panels to buy, we can help you navigate the solar process. Check out our state-specific guides to solar systems and installations to learn more:

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