What Happens on Solar Installation Day
Who shows up, how long the power is off, where the crew parks, and what you need to do. A plain walkthrough of install day in Central Florida.
By the time install day arrives, the design is approved and the permit is pulled. Here is what the day itself actually looks like.
Before the crew arrives
You will have a scheduled date and an arrival window. Clear vehicles from the driveway if you can, unlock any gate to the side yard or the electrical panel, and secure pets. If you work from home, plan around a power interruption.
Morning: setup and racking
The crew stages materials, sets fall protection, and starts locating rafters or trusses for the mounts. Mounts go in and get flashed, then rails go on. This is the loudest part of the day.
Midday: panels and conduit
Panels get set and clamped to the rails, wiring is run and secured, and conduit is routed from the array down to the inverter location, usually near your main panel or on an exterior wall.
Afternoon: the tie-in
The system is connected to your main service panel. This is when your power goes off, typically for one to three hours. Nothing else in the day requires the power to be down.
What you actually have to do
Very little. Be reachable, keep the driveway and side yard clear, and be available for a short walkthrough at the end. You do not need to be home the whole time on most jobs.
What happens if it rains
Florida afternoons being what they are, crews stop for lightning and heavy rain. A partial day is common in summer. The site gets secured and weathertight before anyone leaves, and the crew returns to finish.
After the last panel goes up
The system is not on yet. An inspector has to sign off, then your utility handles the meter and issues permission to operate. That usually takes another two to six weeks. We handle that paperwork and tell you when to expect the switch-on.
Cleanup
Magnetic sweep for nails and screws, debris removed, and a walkthrough covering the equipment, the disconnect location, and how to read production once the system is live.
Have questions about your specific home? Start the questionnaire and we will get you a real answer about your roof, your panel, and your timeline.
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