When you decide to make the switch to solar, it’s a big investment that you should feel 100% confident in making. Not only that, it’s an exciting transition to break ties with traditional (and costly) fossil fuels and instead, rely on clean energy harvested from the sun to power your Northern California home. That being said, one question we hear frequently is, “How do you install solar panels?”, which is why today, we’re going to outline our installation process for you in a few simple steps. Check it out!

Five Simple Steps To Your Solar Panel Installation

Here at West Coast Solar, we go above and beyond to make the entire installation process simple, convenient, and efficient from start to finish for you and your family. Keep reading to learn more about our residential solar panel installation process, and be sure to contact us to schedule an on-site consultation with a solar professional to begin the transition to solar.

Step 1 – Roof Assessment

Before we design and install your system, we provide a thorough roof assessment to make sure your roof can support a solar panel array. We complete your roof assessment during your initial consultation because this step helps us determine the shape, size, and layout of your roof, as well as your roof’s orientation to the sun. Not only that, we want to ensure the integrity of your roof can accommodate the solar panels we will be installing. Once we have cleared your roof for installation, we will design a home solar power system that is tailored to your energy needs and specifications. 

Step 2 – Design Your System

During your initial consultation, our experts will learn your goals for going solar to help us determine the best system to accommodate your needs. We take many factors into account to help us design an ideal system for your home, such as your current energy usage, historical data that shows your energy usage over time, how many items you wish to power, and the amount of sunlight your property gets. We use this information to help us determine the ideal size of your system. Once we have all the necessary information, our engineers get to work on creating a system that will maximize your energy-efficiency for years to come. We partner with top-notch manufacturers to build your system using high-quality materials for optimal durability and longevity. 

Step 3 – Obtain the Necessary Permits

Next, our team will secure the installation permits and coordinate with your electric company to streamline the installation process. This can be a real headache for homeowners to complete on their own, which is why we take care of this process so you don’t have to. We believe going solar should be a fun and stress-free experience for the homeowner, not a hassle!

Step 4 – Solar Panel Installation

Now comes the day you’ve been waiting for — installation day! Once we have designed your system and it has been built, we can install each component on your home in a timely manner. This is a super exciting time for our clients, and we want to keep it that way! That’s why you can always trust our professional and experienced solar installers to successfully complete your installation from start to finish — we never hire subcontractors to handle the installation.

Our team will arrive promptly on your scheduled installation day and time with everything they need to successfully complete the project. During the installation, we:

• Inspect your roof once again to ensure your roofing materials and structure are attached and intact.
• Install the electrical wiring, which will link the solar panels to the converter installed on your home’s exterior to direct the usable energy into your home to power various items.
• Carefully install the rack mounts on your roof to securely hold each of the solar panels.
• Connect the panels to the roof by mounting them safely on the racks.
• Connect the panels to the system to start generating solar power. 

Step 5 – Final Inspection and Approval

As with any type of home improvement project that requires permits, solar installations need to be inspected for final approval. The final inspection by your local electrical company ensures that your entire system — from the electrical wiring to the converter — was installed correctly and can be connected to the grid. Once final approval is granted, you can start enjoying the long list of solar benefits for decades to come!  

Ready to Get Hooked on Solar?

If you’re ready for a solar panel installation in Contra Costa, El Dorado, Alameda, and beyond, then our team is excited to help you unlock your solar potential. Explore our solar services, and get in touch with West Coast Solar, Northern California’s Top Rated Local® solar company, to arrange your complimentary consultation, and make the switch to solar energy!