Did you know that last year, new solar installations accounted for 29 percent of all of the new electrical capacity in the U.S.? According to a report by the Solar Energy Industries Association, it’s easy to see that solar is becoming a major player in the alternative energies market and it’s here to stay—especially for the average homeowner. From 2012 to 2013, 41 percent more solar power was installed throughout the U.S., yet the average price for solar installation dropped by 15 percent. With installation costs lower than ever and extra incentives with government rebates and tax credits, there’s never been a better time to go solar.
At Complete Solar, we specialize in making the solar installation process as easy and affordable as possible for California residents and homeowners all across the US.
How the Solar Install Process Works
Traditional home solar installations can take months to complete. But at Complete Solar, we know that homeowners don’t want to wait that long to start saving money on their energy bill. That’s why we’ve created a streamlined, efficient installation process that takes weeks instead of months, something no one else in the industry can offer. For each new solar panel system we provide, our expert team goes through a series of steps to ensure a seamless installation.
Energy Review
Once we’ve determined that your home is a good fit for solar panels, we take a variety of factors into account to determine the size of the solar panel system you need. First, we look at your current energy usage to see if solar will provide good savings. Typically if you spend more than $120/mo, going solar will save you money.
Next, we determine how much solar energy is available to your home’s location. The majority of cities in California receive an average of 5-7 kWh/meters squared/per day in solar insolation
While the average household uses about 48 kWh of electricity per day, we make sure to take into consideration the specific energy needs of your household, rather than just taking a one-size-fits-all approach. We use all of the data to design solar arrays that save the most money possible.
Surveying the Site
Before we can put solar on your roof, we do a site survey to evaluate how we can maximize the efficiency of the panels. We assess the size of the roof, which way it faces, shaded areas, and how the roof can handle the weight of the panels (only a few pounds per foot). The ideal roof for efficient solar panels is south-facing and has no major shade sources or other obstructions that would cause problems with energy production.
Permitting
One of the most time-intensive elements of solar panel installation is permitting. We take care of all the complex permitting pieces so you don’t need to worry about it. Different cities require various permits before panels can be installed, which can include electrical permits, building permits, and requirements for land use. We also take into account various rebates and tax incentives that are available in your location and for your specific situation. As experts in the industry, Complete Solar has found a way to streamline this process for our customers, cutting down the wait time for permits and paperwork significantly.
Installation
Once everything is approved, we send in our installation team to complete your solar project. Depending on the size of the system and the complexity of the roof, the installation process can take 2-3 days. We support a variety of different installation methods for a wide range of roof materials. Our professional installation teams are highly trained to comply with all safety rules and regulations.
Net Meter Swap
After all of the panels are installed, the next step is to have the system inspected by a representative from your city’s utility company. They will check to make sure that the system is installed properly, that it doesn’t present any safety hazards, and can properly connect to the utility grid. Once the system is signed off by the inspector, a production meter is installed and your system will start generating electricity and saving you money.
When you chose Complete Solar for your new solar installation, you can leave the details to us. We take care of the specifics and provide you with a near-effortless experience that helps you start producing energy on your own in just a matter of weeks. Interested in more information about a new solar panel system from Complete Solar? Contact us today!