Solar Panel Installation: Complete Step-by-Step Process (2026)
Everything you need to know about installing solar panels on your home, from initial consultation to final inspection and activation.
Calculate Your Solar Costs First
Before diving into installation, see if solar makes sense for your home
Installation Timeline Overview
Installing solar panels is a multi-step process that typically takes 4-12 weeks from signing the contract to turning on your system. Here's what to expect at each stage:
Site Assessment (1-2 hours)
Installer visits your home to evaluate roof condition, shading, electrical panel, and optimal panel placement.
Custom Design & Proposal (3-7 days)
Company creates system design, generates energy production estimates, and provides detailed cost breakdown.
Contract Signing & Permits (2-6 weeks)
Sign agreement, installer handles all permits, HOA approvals, and utility interconnection paperwork. This is the longest wait.
Physical Installation (1-3 days)
Crew installs racking, mounts panels, connects wiring, and installs inverter. Most homes complete in 1 day.
Inspection & Activation (1-2 weeks)
City inspector verifies work, utility approves interconnection, system is activated and starts producing power.
Detailed Installation Process
Step 1: Site Assessment
The installer visits your property to evaluate if solar is feasible and design the optimal system. This typically takes 1-2 hours. Here's what they assess:
- Roof condition: They check for damage, age, and structural integrity. If your roof needs replacement within 5-10 years, do it before solar installation.
- Shading analysis: Using tools like Solar Pathfinder or drone mapping, they identify shade from trees, chimneys, or neighboring buildings throughout the year.
- Roof orientation: South-facing roofs are ideal. East/West-facing roofs work but produce 15-20% less. North-facing roofs are not recommended in Northern hemisphere.
- Electrical panel: They verify your panel can handle the additional load and has space for solar breakers. Upgrades ($1,000-3,000) may be needed.
- Utility bills: They review 12 months of usage to properly size your system and estimate savings.
Step 2: System Design & Proposal
Within 3-7 days, the installer provides a custom system design with detailed specifications:
Your proposal should include:
- 3D rendering of panel layout on your roof
- System size (kW) and number of panels
- Panel brand, model, and efficiency ratings
- Inverter type and specifications
- Estimated annual energy production (kWh)
- 25-year energy savings projection
- Total cost breakdown (equipment, labor, permits)
- Available incentives and financing options
- Warranty details (panels, inverter, workmanship)
- Estimated timeline from contract to activation
Solar pricing varies by 20-30% between installers. Get multiple quotes to compare. Use EnergySage marketplace or GetSolar.com to collect competitive bids easily.
What to Expect on Installation Day
Installation day is exciting! Here's a typical timeline for a standard residential solar installation:
Team arrives (usually 3-6 people), unloads equipment, sets up safety gear, and covers your landscaping.
Crew marks panel locations, installs mounting hardware (racking system), and ensures proper waterproofing.
Panels are hoisted to roof and secured to racking. This is the most time-consuming part.
Wiring connects panels to inverter, inverter to electrical panel. Conduit runs are completed.
Site cleanup, debris removal, and walkthrough with homeowner to explain system operation.
Even though panels are installed, your system won't produce power until after the city inspection and utility approval (1-2 weeks). This is normal!