The short answer to this question is less than a week! Installing solar is not something that is overly complex, installers who are familiar with roofing systems and electricians that are familiar with upgrading service panels and installing HVAC units can quickly pick it up. The installation is divided into two parts: the panel installation or rooftop work, and the electrical installation. The roof work consists of laying down the footers and railing, placing and securing the panels to the railing, then running conduit either on the roof or through the attic to the point where the electrical team can take over. The electrical team will place and configure the inverter and AC disconnect switch in the proper area up to utility standards for interconnection, then configure the array into the Main Service Panel (MSP). This is known as “tying in” to the MSP so that the homeowner can use clean, renewable solar energy in their home! The excess is then sent back out onto the grid in, assuming Net Metering has been approved and interconnection has been achieved.
This is, of course, assuming the home is up to current National Electric Code (NEC) standards and has no surprise issues, such as an unstable roof, a utility and/or Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) with strange or overly complicated regulations, or is older and has structural issues. There is also complexity added when trenching is involved. This typically adds time to the installation on ground mount arrays and for arrays that are on adjacent buildings and need to be tied into an MSP or the main meter. For example, if a homeowner wants to put solar on a barn but the utility meter is located on the house. The best way to find out if a home or business is solar eligible is to have a solar professional come to the property for an evaluation. Home and business owners must be diligent in asking questions, as some solar installation companies will consider property owners ineligible, even though all the owner would need is some additional work.
Additional work to upgrade homes to code compliance for homeowners looking to go solar is offered by Solar Is Freedom, but not all solar installers are willing to help homeowners with additional work, or even help acquire permits and achieve interconnection. These are questions that home and business owners looking to go solar need to consider. To get a full and accurate estimate on services offered, price, installation timeline, recommended equipment, and savings, contact Solar Is Freedom for a free property evaluation.
Through 2019, the federal government is offering a 30% rebate on the total cost of a solar install. This is a huge help to many of our homeowners and makes it very affordable. The main incentive in Ohio is of course Net Metering (process explained below). State and local incentives include may also be included, such as a property tax freeze in Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.
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