Installing your rooftop solar panels could save you hundreds of dollars, but most individuals who want to put PV panels on their roof lack the technical know-how. The manual labor required to mount the panels to the roof is complex, and the electrical wiring required to connect the panels to your power source is inherently risky. The majority of individuals leave solar installation Florida to the pros like us at 1stop solar. Still, understanding what an installation performs will help you evaluate if installing solar is suitable for you, as well as avoid being taken off guard by what it requires.
- A site visit by an electrical engineer:
After you finalize your solar contract (whether it is leasing, mortgage, cash purchase, or energy sales contract), an electrician will visit your home to assess the electrical condition of your property and confirm that everything is suitable with your renewable energy system. During the inspection, the engineer will inspect your roof to verify that it is incredibly durable. They will also inspect your electrical panel — the grey box in your basement – to see whether it needs to be upgraded. It must be noted that this engineering visit differs from a general site inspection, which is when a technician analyses your site to evaluate system size, roof type, roof angle, shade, and other factors before signing any contract.
- Drafting a solar system plan:
The next thing a potential installer will do is determine the number of solar panels you will require. They will want an estimate of your yearly power use depending on your electricity bills. An installer will next analyze your home to see if it is appropriate for solar panels based on how much electricity you utilize. Above importantly, this entails calculating how much sunshine hits your rooftop during the year. If your home is suitable for solar, the potential installer will create an installation plan, including how many solar panels you will require and a diagram of how they will be positioned on your roof—along with a pricing estimate.
- Ordering the required equipment and materials:
Racking materials, solar panels, wiring, and different electrical and mechanical devices are often included in a solar system. There are several solar panels, each with its size, composition, and overall performance. You should also think about installing a battery system to store any surplus energy you generate. Solar panels are not directly put on your roof. Instead, they are installed on a support frame that is fastened into the roof structure and secured to prevent water from leaking into the home. Wire, connection boxes to house the wiring, an outside safety shutoff panel, and an inverter will be among the other pieces of gear.
- Getting all the paperwork and permits ready:
Installing solar panels, like any major financial decision, necessitates a significant amount of documentation. Fortunately, the installer handles the majority of this paperwork; nonetheless, it’s always a good thing to understand what’s happening behind the scenes of your solar project. You will also have to fill out additional documentation, such as building permits. These permissions are particular to your location. Certain regions, for instance, demand three feet of clear space around solar panels on a roof, but other parts of the country permit you to put panels across the entire surface of your roof. Your technician will be familiar with the limits and regulations of the states wherein they work and will be able to assist you.
- The plan implementation or solar installation day:
Every solar homeowner looks forward to the installation day. Your solar installer will prepare your roof and ensure that the slabs or tiles are securely fastened. They will next install an electrical wire to link to your electrical panel and the main electricity grid.
They will build a rack to hold your panels when the electrical wiring is completed. The panels are secured to the racking once it has been leveled and securely connected. Lastly, your inverter(s) are attached to the panels to transform direct current (DC) power into alternating current (AC) energy, which is utilized in homes and on the power grid. The final stage in adopting solar is to “turn the switch,” so to speak, and start generating power from your rooftop.
Contact us:
More than a million houses in the United States have already gone solar, and many more are contemplating it. If you’re considering going solar, you’re undoubtedly curious about what occurs during a solar panel installation Florida or even how to install photovoltaic power yourself. We hope the advice above is helpful, but if you have any questions or are searching for one of the best solar companies in Florida, please contact us right away.