Solar Panel Installation Expectations & Details

As you anticipate the installation of your solar panels, you’re likely eager to start generating your own electricity. After reading customer feedback, researching different solar companies online, understanding the potential monetary benefits, and discussing with solar-powered neighbors, you’ve decided to choose Blue Raven Solar for your home’s solar panel installation.

 

You’re well-informed about the financial advantages and other perks associated with going solar, and you’re ready to take the next step with a trusted provider. As you embark on this exciting solar power journey, here’s what you can expect on the day of your solar panel installation.

Pre-Installation Preparation

As you get closer to solar panel installation day, you will meet with your Blue Raven Solar expert who will do a site survey of your home and surroundings to draw up the final design of your rooftop system. This visit typically takes a couple of hours, and the Blue Raven Solar representative will want to take a look at the roof, electrical panels, and possibly the attic to understand the spaces where we’ll be installing the rooftop solar panel system.

 

Your solar installation team will also manage the pre-installation process of filing for and securing the necessary building and utility permits. This step can take a few weeks as we work with the local government and/or public utilities on your behalf to arrange all of the necessary approvals. When all paperwork is submitted and approved, we will reach out to you to schedule the day of your installation.

 

Because your solar panels are quite large and will cover a good portion of your home’s roof, they will be delivered ahead of the installation crew arriving to your home—typically the day of installation, and in some cases the day prior. Our team will work with you to determine a sufficient area in your yard or driveway where the solar panels can be delivered, and no further action will be required on your part.

The Installation Process Day Of

On the scheduled installation day, your solar installation crew will likely arrive bright and early, though they may also arrive in the afternoon. These highly trained technicians are solar experts who will ensure everything is installed safely and correctly, and they generally complete an install in a single day. In some cases, a rooftop solar installation may require additional time beyond a single day. This can happen if your solar system is particularly large, you have a complicated roof, or you’re including a solar battery. When extra time is needed, the installation may be completed over multiple visits, which could be scheduled within a few days or up to a week apart, depending on the crew’s availability.

 

It’s important for the homeowner or an authorized adult to be home during the solar panel installation. Our installation crew will need access to the electrical panels as well as your attic to run wires or conduit. The power to your home will be disconnected for an hour or two during the installation process. 

 

Once they get to work, here’s what you can anticipate:

 

1. The solar installers will first set up a staging and work area around your home as a safe, efficient work site.
2. They will then prepare your roof by clearing any debris to prepare for the panel racking.
3. Following this, they will arrange the required wiring, which will typically extend into your home to reach your electrical panel.
4. Then, they will install the racking system, which is what will hold your solar panels securely to your roof. You will likely hear the most noise as the racking is mounted.
5. Once the racking is secure, our installation crew places each solar panel on the racking to mount each to your roof and secure them in place.
6. Finally, your solar panels will be connected to the inverters and our licensed electrician will finish the wiring in your home ensuring the solar installation meets local regulations and permit requirements.

 

Once the solar installation is complete, the crew will walk you through the installation, pointing out any details you may need to know and answering any questions you may have. Then, we will clean up all of our tools, equipment, and trash and verify your home is ready to move to the next step in the solar process. 

 

If you’re also adding a solar battery, you can expect a few differences. Solar panel systems with a battery often take longer to install, and your power may need to be disconnected from the local utility grid for a longer period. The team may also need access to additional areas of your home as batteries are often placed in a garage or another indoor space. Before our arrival, we’ll provide you with information about the battery installation procedure. You’ll be fully informed of all the necessary steps and details throughout the process.

Post-Installation Steps

With your solar panels installed it can be tempting to think you’ll be running on solar power right away. Unfortunately, there are still a few steps between your solar installation day and solar system energization. This can take anywhere from several days to several weeks to complete. Before your system can be turned on, it must be inspected and approved by the local government’s building department, the utility company, and the homeowner’s association (if applicable).

 

Our solar experts will arrange all necessary inspections. Local officials will check that your system is properly installed and connected to the utility grid. Inspection times may vary, but we’ll handle scheduling and keep you updated throughout the process.

Activation and Monitoring

In most cases, the installation of new solar panels will also include updating your electrical meter to ensure it can accurately reflect your electricity production and consumption. With this advanced power meter, you can take advantage of any net-metering initiatives and programs offered in your region. In many states, net-metering programs reward you for excess energy produced by your solar panels which is fed back to the utility grid. The utility company can compensate you financially for this surplus over time or offer credits you can use at times when your solar panels aren’t generating energy. To see if your state offers these specific benefits, you can check your local solar incentives by state and city.

 

After installation and inspection, the final step is to activate your new solar system to start generating your own electricity. Your solar power system is equipped with an inverter which allows you to monitor the production levels of your solar panels once they are online and functioning. With solar panel systems installed by Blue Raven Solar, customers can track their power production through a mobile app which connects to their solar panel system.

 

The app displays how many kilowatts are going to your home per month, day, or hour and how efficiently the power is being generated, offering a comprehensive view of your solar system’s performance. You can also track power drawn from and sent to the utility grid, enabling effective monitoring of energy inputs and outputs if your area offers net metering. 

 

The app also compares your electricity production to local weather conditions and historical temperature ranges. Furthermore, you can set up notifications to receive alerts if there are any issues with your solar panel production rates, keeping you informed about the health of your rooftop solar system.

Customer Support and Warranty

If you experience an issue with your solar panels or have questions about production rates, you can contact our support team. Our comprehensive warranties cover both equipment and workmanship, and our production guarantee ensures your solar panel system will generate the energy predicted. 

 

Reach out and we’ll work closely with you to identify the issue and determine whether a professional needs to be sent out to your home. With your solar warranty in place, there may be no cost to worry about, and we’ll have your rooftop solar panel system back to peak performance.

 

Blue Raven Solar warranties include:

 

• A 2-year energy production guarantee
• A 10-year workmanship warranty
• A 25-year equipment warranty (offered by the equipment manufacturing companies)

 

Our warranties ensure you are fully supported every step of the way: before, during, and long after your solar panel system is installed!

We’re Here at Every Step

From the initial consultation to energization, we ensure you know what to expect each step of the way. Our team of experts will guide you through the entire installation process, answering your questions and addressing any concerns you may have.

 

At Blue Raven Solar, we want your move to solar to be easy and seamless. Our mission is to make your life better by reducing energy bills, increasing reliance on clean and abundant renewable energy, and providing a world-class customer experience through a reliable sales process and a speedy, high-quality installation.

 

Ready to start your solar journey? Join the Blue Raven Solar community by requesting a few solar savings estimate. We look forward to supporting you in your transition to clean, renewable energy!