A common question we get is how much time it takes for installation and what is the process? In general, from the time a contract is signed until the system is installed can be anywhere from six to twelve weeks.
The installation itself typically takes 1-2 days for a residence.
The processing time depends on several factors such as which utility jurisdiction you are in and what incentives are being applied for. Here is a flow chart, showing each step in the process, along with which department at True South is responsible for that step. Many hands have a part in making your solar system installation happen. After being in business for 13 years, True South Solar performs every step of the process in-house and as efficiently as possible.
Working with your Solar Advisor
True South Solar’s Solar Advisors are experienced professionals who fully understand the process of going solar. They will work with you to understand your current and planned electricity usage. They will answer your questions and help you understand not only the process of getting solar and/or storage for your home, but how the system will pair with the existing electrical system in your home.
Once the Solar Advisor understands your situation completely, they will provide you with a proposal of services. We always lead with our best price, and that means we include all that we can reasonably foresee should be included in a contract of services. Oftentimes, this means we will include required upgrades to ensure compliance with modern building and electrical codes. No one likes surprise change orders which increase the price after the decision to move forward with a contractor has been made.
One great benefit here is that these costs can be included when you apply for tax credits and incentives like the 30% federal Solar Coupon. Going solar is a great opportunity to add value to your home while also receiving
Electrician and Solar Designer
Once we have a signed contract, we will begin designing your solar electric system. Our in-house design team includes our Solar Electric Designer, our Lead Electrician, and our Technical Sales Advisor. Our team brings decades of experience here, ensuring all of the pieces will work together to provide power for your home for decades to come. We will begin sourcing your solar panels, inverters (which convert DC electricity from the solar panels to DC for use in your home), racking, wiring, electrical disconnect boxes, and other materials legally required to ensure your system is safe and will last 25-40 years.
Permitting and Incentive Filing
Permitting is oftentimes the most time-consuming part of this process. It depends on which jurisdiction your home is in, as some are quicker than others. Regardless, it’s important to get authorization from the permitting authority before installation begins.
We also take this time to apply for incentives. Again, incentives are based on your jurisdiction and, in this case, your income. For folks on a fixed income, the Solar within Reach and Low-to-Moderate Income programs can drastically reduce your financial commitment to go solar. Some jurisdictions will incentivize all homeowners who opt to go solar, but as of this writing, these programs have all but run out of money due to the popularity of going solar in Oregon over the past few years.
Project Management
Once we have a permit in hand, we can start thinking about putting your job on the schedule. We often have periods when lots of installations are happening, so this can be a time of fluidity. We keep our crew as busy as possible and we do not outsource any installation work, so we’ll be as efficient as possible as we get to scheduling your job.
Our Project Manager will call you and give you at least a week’s notice before we arrive on-site. For most residential jobs, there is no need to store materials at your home ahead of time. We usually plan to show up with all that we need, perform a clean install, and be gone by the end of the day or the next day. Installation day is always exciting and we welcome you to hang around and watch us work. We take great pride in our team and they are very polite and friendly.
Commissioning the System
Once our team has completed the installation, we need to get authorization to turn it on with what’s called “Permission to Operate.” We will schedule a representative from your jurisdiction to visit the site and ensure we performed the work we submitted to them during the permitting phase. Once we get the all-clear, it’s time for the drum roll…..and….voila! We flip that switch and your panels go right to work, making your solar energy and powering your life with clean, renewable energy. Woot woot!
The Walk-Through
Once the dust has settled, we schedule a walk-through with you. Our Service Technician will present you with your binder which contains all the information you need to know about your solar electric system. This is also a good time to make sure you have access to all of the monitoring data so you can watch the panels while they work.
Are you ready to go solar now? Great! The way to get started is to fill out our quick Consultation Form. We’ll be in touch!