In an ideal world, you’d sign an agreement with a local solar installer, and the next day, your panels would be installed and you’d be generating your very own, clean, green energy supply. But the reality is that a number of steps must be completed before this can happen. Fortunately, they’re usually pretty straightforward, and your chosen solar installer will take care of them for you.
Each step carried out helps to make sure that the home itself, the electrical system, and the surrounding homes, are properly prepared for the addition of a solar panel array. They also give you peace of mind that the company you’ve chosen to install the solar array, are fully licensed, and that all work will be checked and signed off by a qualified third-party.
Let’s take a closer look at each step:
Step one
Once the decision has been made by the homeowner to switch to solar power, the roof must be inspected to ensure that it’s capable of supporting the solar panel system. The solar installer will examine the condition of the roof and its structural integrity, look at whether there are any obstructions present (or which may become present in the near future), and check for potential shading.
Step two
The electrical panel must be checked to ensure that it’s prepared for a new load, and the way in which the panels will be plugged into the electrical panel, verified. As an added safety measure, the installation company will check that the panel is up to code.
Step three
Once the above checks have been successfully carried out, an interconnection application must be submitted to the electric utility, as homes not generating solar power only take energy from the utility grid, they don’t give anything back to it. This application prepares the utility for the fact that a home is making the switch to green energy, and from their side, they’ll screen the grid to ensure that it can safely transport and make use of any excess solar energy generated by the property’s new solar panel system.
Step four
While the above screening is going ahead, the installation company will also submit documentation to the relevant local authorities with jurisdiction over the area in which the property is situated. This process is called ‘permitting’ and involves informing the relevant authority that a modification in the form of a solar array, will be added to the property. They will then go on to check whether the installation company hold the appropriate licenses for the work about to be carried out, and verify that the installation plans are up to the requirements of both building and electrical codes.
Once the solar company have gained the relevant approvals, the installation can finally go ahead!
But it doesn’t end there. Once the installation is complete, the relevant local authority and the utility, will carry out a site visit and inspection, to make sure that everything has been installed professionally, and safely. This is an important step, and one you wouldn’t want to skip, should you have the choice (which you don’t). Then, if all goes well, you’re good to go, and can get on with enjoying the many benefits of generating your own, clean, green energy.
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