Assessment, site review, and design
An early assessment identifies usage, goals, and likely system categories. A provider may then verify roof condition, structure, shade, measurements, service equipment, access, and proposed equipment locations before producing a final design.
Share recent energy use, planned loads, ownership information, and the outcome you want from solar or storage. The first conversation can organize the project, but it is not an engineering approval. Ask which facts were remotely reviewed and which assumptions still require an onsite visit or records from the utility, building, or electrical system.
During site review, the provider may inspect roof planes and age, structure, shade, attic access, electrical service, panel space, grounding, meter location, wiring routes, equipment clearances, communications, and safe work access. If batteries or backup are included, the review should also identify supported loads and transfer or control equipment. Findings can change the layout or scope, so request a revised written proposal when they do.
The design package should identify exact equipment and quantities, array layout, electrical architecture, equipment locations, required upgrades, and estimated production assumptions. Where engineering is required, confirm who provides and seals it and what happens if an authority requests revisions.
Permits, utility work, and scheduling
The written scope should identify responsibility for engineering, permits, interconnection applications, utility requirements, equipment delivery, inspections, commissioning, and permission to operate. Timing varies by jurisdiction, utility, site, and equipment availability.
| Phase | Useful written checkpoint |
|---|---|
| Preliminary assessment | Goals, energy basis, likely category, and unresolved site questions |
| Site review | Measurements, roof and electrical findings, access, and nonstandard work |
| Final design | Exact equipment, layout, electrical drawings, assumptions, and revisions |
| Applications | Responsible party, required owner documents, submissions, and open conditions |
| Installation | Approved scope, crew access, equipment delivery, planned interruptions, and change control |
| Inspection and commissioning | Test results, corrections, labels, monitoring, and authority sign-off |
| Activation and handoff | Utility status where applicable, owner training, records, warranties, and service contacts |
Permitting and utility steps can overlap or occur in a different order by location. An approval from one authority does not substitute for another required approval. Equipment availability, weather, roof work, redesign, failed inspections, utility work, or owner changes can affect the schedule. Ask for current project milestones and dependencies instead of relying on a universal installation timeline.
Payment milestones should correspond to clear deliverables in the agreement. Before authorizing a change, request the reason, added or removed scope, cost effect, schedule effect, and any design or warranty consequence in writing. Do not rely on an oral promise that material work is included.
Installation and handoff
Qualified professionals install the mounting, electrical, solar, battery, and control equipment in the approved design. Handoff should include monitoring access, shutdown instructions, equipment records, inspection documentation, and warranty contacts. See the full installation overview or request an assessment.
Before work begins, confirm access, pets, parking, stored materials, interior work areas, roof or ground obstructions, and planned power interruptions. The crew should use the approved equipment and layout or document authorized changes. If concealed conditions are found, pause the affected work long enough to understand the proposed change and written terms.
Commissioning should verify that the installed system and controls operate as designed. The homeowner handoff should cover monitoring access, normal operation, outage behavior if applicable, rapid shutdown or emergency instructions, owner maintenance, and who to contact for a fault. Keep the final proposal, drawings, permits, inspection records, serial numbers, commissioning information, warranty documents, and paid invoices together.
Use the solar panels planning guide to prepare for design choices and the cost guide to compare scope. Final schedule, design, pricing, inspection, utility activation, and installation availability remain site- and provider-dependent.
Match the options to your home
Start with a free preliminary assessment. Final equipment, price, availability, and terms follow provider and site review.
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