The Solar Installation Process
It usually takes two to three months from the time you sign your contract until your system is generating electricity.
The time between signing your contract and installing your system is spent waiting on permitting, getting inspections, and waiting for the utility company to connect the solar energy system to the grid.
The shortest period of the entire process is actually installing your system. During this time, you don’t have to do anything, we will take care of it all. Here’s what you can expect the process to be once you contact YellowLite:
Step 1: Assessment and Roof Inspection
First, a structural engineer will visit your home to evaluate and ensure your roof is capable of supporting your desired system. This usually takes one or two weeks, though many customers decide to install a new roof after the inspection once they understand the roofing requirements of solar installation and to eliminate the risk of leaks, runoff, etc. This will add to the timeline, but will help extend the life of your system.
Step 2: Design Approval
YellowLite will then need to seek design approval which typically takes between one and three weeks.
Step 3: City Permits
The longest part of the process is actually spent waiting for permission from the city to start construction. You’ll need to check with your jurisdiction and homeowners’ association about which specific permits you need and the approval process for each. In all, this takes anywhere from two to eight weeks.
Step 4: Installation
And for the shortest part of the process—the installation of the solar array itself only takes between two to three days.
Step 5: Final Inspection
Once your solar array has been installed, there will need to be a final inspection, which can take up to a month.
Step 6: Connect
Finally, your utility company will connect your new system to the power grid and install a bi-directional meter. And then you’ll be up and running!
Check out our gallery of solar array systems installed around Ohio and the Midwest to get an idea of what your system will look like.