What happens during the solar panels installation process

It can be challenging to ignore the invigorating light waves coming in through your doors and windows on a warm, sunny day. What if, though, those same windows and doors in your house began to capture that energy and transform it into a clean, renewable, and sustainable power source? Solar energy is specifically designed with this concept in mind. For homes like yours, solar panel installations can be a fantastic method to produce electricity.

Solar energy is a realistic choice for homes wishing to reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint because it is reasonably priced and environmentally beneficial. Solar-installed-on-a-aluminum-garage-roof installation of solar panels on an aluminum garage roof. Solar panels have evolved into a universal requirement for houses for a variety of reasons.

Here are a few of these causes:

lower electricity costs.
noise pollution reduction.
a decreased reliance on fossil fuels.
Environment-friendly.
increased value of a property.
low cost of upkeep.
Providing discounts.
Performance assurance.
Installation simplicity.
Improve the energy efficiency of your house.

So switching to solar for households is a wise decision. However, installing solar panels in your home involves a comprehensive process. This entails having professionals evaluate the site, receiving the go-ahead from the city to install the solar panels, and then installing, testing, and inspecting the solar panel systems in your home. The good news is that homeowners like you don’t need to do anything or lift a finger during the installation of solar panels because you can let the professionals handle everything. But knowing exactly what is happening at every stage will be helpful.

Site Evaluation and Design

Going solar is, in fact, a lengthy process with several steps and overlapping tasks. Fortunately, a knowledgeable and trustworthy installer will help you every step of the way and handle everything. The first step in the process is selecting a reputable business to install solar panels on your house. To find the ideal location for your solar panels on your property and create a system that meets your energy requirements, a solar panel installation firm will assess your property. To guarantee you’re getting a fair price as a homeowner, it’s wise to shop around and get estimates from many installers.

The solar panel installation process starts when you choose your installer. Typically, site assessment and design make up the initial part of the process. The major objectives of this simple phase are reviewing, signing, and approving numerous documents. Together, you and the installer will address your concerns, define your goals, discover various purchasing alternatives and incentives, and outline the entire solar panel installation procedure, giving you control over the next events.

The installer will come to your house and evaluate the location to confirm the intended system design. For instance, the installation will examine the attic and roof of your house, the positioning of the batteries (if necessary), the electrical system, and your property to determine any local regulations that may apply. Any changes that are necessary must be approved after the site assessment results are known. Before your installer submits the final design for permit approval, you must evaluate any adjustments made to the original design, offer input, and/or give your approval.

Everything will be examined and given approval, including the system production, electrical work, and design aesthetics. The site evaluation, design, and idea phase typically looks like this:

Orientation Sessions (1-2 Hours)

Review the many solar installation alternatives with a sales representative. Ask questions, go over your choices, express your worries, and offer comments to determine if it makes sense for your house.

Site Evaluation (30 Minutes)

The majority of people may conduct the site survey virtually using a phone camera or some comparable mobile device. The installer will lead you through a variety of items and questions throughout the survey so that enough data can be acquired to complete the design.

Review and signing of contracts (1 Hour)

Everything will normally be specified in your contract, including the design, financial information, pricing, site enhancements, storage choices, etc. The average homeowner can examine and sign all of these documents in about an hour.

Document Evaluation (1-2 Days)

The installation team will carefully evaluate the paperwork for accuracy and completeness after your contract is completed before finalizing and approving your arrangement.

Design for Engineering (1 Week)

In order to set up the best solar power system for peak performance and significant long-term savings, the design and engineering team will carefully assess the given information, as well as the solar regulations in your district and mapping data on your roof. It may occasionally include a physical site audit to find and address any unresolved issues.

Getting Licenses and Approvals

Anyone establishing a solar panel system needs permit clearance since it ensures that everyone complies with the appropriate safety requirements (structural, electrical, and fire). The solar panel installation business will submit the agreed-upon design from the earlier stage, along with the necessary permission paperwork, to the city for approval. The fees that are related to the permit applications vary depending on the states and towns. However, there are some limitations on how much your particular city can charge; in most states, the price is $500.

Your solar panel installer will work on your behalf to efficiently move your project from the site inspection and design phase to installation by navigating all utility paperwork, municipal and state laws, and homeowners associations. The permitting procedure can often be finished in 2-4 weeks. However, it can take anything from immediately to over six weeks. However, the installer will specify the specifications (based on your region) and obtain all necessary approvals and permits. You’ll have to do everything yourself, so don’t worry.

The installer must take all necessary measures to speed up the procedure because this particular step might be very stressful. The installer is responsible for keeping you well-informed about the progress of your solar panel installation project throughout this procedure. The company or you may have little choice but to wait for a response from your local permitting authority, therefore you must maintain your patience. Before installation can start, you might need to finalize site improvements and obtain utility permission after the installer has the appropriate permits.

The Solar Panel System Installation

Solar panel installation takes a maximum of one or two days, and homeowners may not even need to be present when the installation is being done. Here, you must put your trust in the experts to carry out their duties while you sit back, unwind, and observe. You’ll most likely need to have the electricity in your house shut off for a few hours during the installation. The steps that you will see during the installation process are listed below.

Mount Installation

The mounts that will hold the solar panels are the first thing the installer does. The solar panels will be connected to the electrical grid and mounted to the roof or the ground by the installation crew. This foundation structure intends to offer stability and support whether you choose a roof, ground, or flush mount. Regarding the installation direction of the PV panels (polycrystalline or monocrystalline), special care must be taken. For instance, nations in the Northern Hemisphere may find that facing their solar panels south is better because it receives the most sunlight. The West and East directions, however, will also function perfectly. For nations in the Southern Hemisphere, however, the North is the optimum direction. Again, the mounting structure should have a modest incline, preferably between 18 and 36 degrees.

Install the solar panels

Using tightening nuts and bolts, the installer will secure the solar panels to the mounting structure. To ensure that the solar panels are strong and durable, extra care must be taken to make sure the entire structure is properly fastened.

Install Electrical Wiring

The next step is to complete the electrical wiring. Since universal connections like MC4 tend to perform well and are simple to connect with all types of solar panels, they are frequently employed during wiring. The following series of electrical connections can be made between these solar panels: Series Connection: In this configuration, the positive (+) and negative (-) wires of two solar modules are linked in series. With this specific kind of wiring, the voltage match with the battery bank is improved. Positive (+) to Positive (+) and negative (-) to negative (-) connections are also possible in this situation. As a result, each panel’s wiring voltage tends to remain constant.

Connect the solar inverter and battery

The system must now be connected to a solar battery and an inverter. The inverter’s positive terminal is connected to the positive wire from the solar panel, and its negative terminal is connected to the positive wire from the solar panel. In an off-grid solar system, the solar power backup must be stored in a battery.

Connecting the Solar Inverter to the Grid

The grid is then connected to the solar inverter to produce electricity. A regular plug can be used to make this connection to the main power switchboard. The power board that is in charge of supplying electricity to your home has an output wire attached to it.

Turn on the solar inverter

The installer needs to turn on the main switch for the house after all connections and electrical wiring have been made. The majority of solar inverters will have a digital display with all the statistics regarding the production and consumption of electricity from solar units.

Inspection and testing

The installation team will test and verify the system after the solar panel installation is finished to make sure everything is operating as it should and that it complies with all applicable rules, zoning laws, and safety restrictions. This includes the building, electrical, and fire codes in your locality. In order to obtain a utility connection, either the homeowner or the installer must disclose the contract and the extent of the installed work. The project will be inspected by a utility official to make sure it conforms with utility regulations and that everything has been done in accordance with the allowed work’s scope.

In order to use net metering, they might additionally upgrade the meter. There is no charge for this inspection procedure or the application for certain utilities. Others may pay several hundred dollars. For turnkey installations, this expense is included in the contract price. You can activate your solar panel system and start producing electricity after you have permission to operate (PTO). The testing and inspection stage of the solar panel installation process is crucial for determining whether the system is performing as promised and whether any fine-tuning or essential alterations are needed.

To optimize sun exposure and avoid obstacles that were not visible during the site inspection, the installer may need to slightly relocate the panels if you choose a permanent solar panel system and modifications are required. Additionally, they will take the time to go over everything you need to know about your new solar panel system and create a maintenance routine to guarantee its optimal protection and durability. All jurisdictions will require a final testing and inspection before you power your solar panel system and start saving money on electricity, even if some jurisdictions may require an inspection in the middle of the installation. In either case, the solar panel installation business will handle all the details and let you know when the inspection is due.

Maintenance and Inspection

The installation provider will give you detailed instructions on how to maintain your system when the solar panel installation is complete. Even monitoring services will be provided by them to guarantee that your solar panel system continues to function effectively. The majority of household solar panel setups do not require routine maintenance, aside from keeping the main parts clean and clear of dirt and debris. In addition, unlike wind and geothermal energy, solar panel systems don’t have any moving parts that could break down. All that’s left to do now is for the installation business to provide on-site support and keep track of your system’s operation to make sure it generates the solar energy you require.

How Long Does It Take to Install Solar Panels?

A new set of solar panels usually tends to last 30 years or more with manufacturer-specified maintenance, though a solar panel system’s longevity varies from model to model. It is important to understand that solar panels lose a minor percentage of efficiency every year. Even yet, it represents less than 1% of their total capacity. Because the typical panel will only provide 85 to 87% of its initial minimum peak power rating after 25 years, most manufacturers provide a 20 to 25-year warranty. Most solar mounting systems are made of high-quality stainless steel and aluminum. As a result, corrosion and rust are also not a concern. Additionally, they often have a similar warranty and are covered by solar panels. Most people consider the solar inverter to be a weak link. Therefore, it’s important to engage with a reputable and well-known solar panel installation firm that offers a least 10-year warranty. Also keep in mind that microinverters typically come with a 25-year warranty from the manufacturer.

Eligibility requirements for the government’s solar tax credit

Even though installing your own solar panel system can be expensive and scary, the long-term savings can be significant. Many federal, state, and municipal benefits exist that might help you recoup the cost of installing a qualifying system. Additionally, a variety of tax breaks and subsidies are accessible to encourage homes to make the switch to renewable energy production.

The Federal Solar Tax Credit

Installing solar panels entitles you to a government solar tax credit, which means you’ll get a break on your income taxes that can lower your overall tax burden. In 2006, the federal government endorsed the solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC). Since then, the US solar business has grown by over 10,000%, averaging 50% yearly growth over the previous ten years. As long as your solar panel system generates power for a US house, you are also eligible for the ITC for the tax year that it was installed.

Eligibility for Federal Solar Tax Credits

Since the ITC expires in 2024 unless it is extended by Congress, you may be eligible for the ITC if your solar system is new or is being used for the first time between January 1, 2006, and December 31, 2023. You should be aware of the following additional eligibility requirements for the federal solar tax credit:

The system needs to be in the US.
The system must be wholly yours; you cannot rent it.
Your home or secondary US residence should have the system, or it could be used for an off-site community solar project.

Suitable Solar Energy Systems

Installing a solar panel system that provides power for a home, such as a solar photovoltaic system or solar water heater, qualifies for the federal solar tax credit. Solar PV systems and solar water heaters both qualify for the federal solar tax credit since they use solar energy to produce electricity and heat water, respectively.

How to Apply for the Solar Tax Credit

Only after your solar panel installation can you apply for the solar energy tax credit. As a result, you must speak with your solar company to get all the necessary information, documentation, and instructions as follows:

Include IRS Form 5695 with your tax return.
Determine the tax form credit in the first section.
Your solar panel system must be shown as “qualified solar electric property costs” on your tax return.
Line 1: Enter the entire project costs as specified in your solar contract.
Lines 6a and 6b’s computations must be completed in full.
Utilizing line 14 of the IRS’s Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit Limit Worksheet, determine the tax liability limitations.
Lines 15 and 16 of the formula must be filled out in full.
Line 5 of your Schedule 3 (Form 1040) should have the precise amount from line 15.

The Federal Solar Tax Credit and Incentives

Solar consumers can take advantage of incentives to lower the overall installation costs of their systems, ranging from state tax credits and government rebates to renewable energy certificates and electric company rebates. The amount you report on your tax return to the IRS will be impacted by these decreases.

State incentives for solar

Several states offer solar incentives in addition to the federal ITC to entice homeowners to install solar. Every state has a different set of incentives, but some of the most common ones are rebates, tax credits, and certificates for renewable energy. There are several solar energy subsidies available in Texas, California, New York, and Minnesota.

A Conclusion

Installing solar can be thrilling since it not only makes your home better and gives you grid independence, but it also helps create a cleaner, more sustainable environment. We can help you if you wish to research your solar installation choices. Get in touch with us right away so we can provide you with a personalized quotation and advice on the best solar panel design for your house. Regardless of the system you select, we will be happy to give you all the information you need to complete the installation. To find out if you qualify for our $0 Down Solar Program, click here. If so, we’ll set up a consultation to start designing your solar panels.