DIY Model for Solar Panels

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• A Five-Step Guide to Install Solar Panels

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While solar panel installation has become simpler
over the years, its certainly not a typical DIY
process. Even a qualified electrician needs solar
installation training on a roof and must become
familiar with local permitting and fire code
requirements to complete a safe and reliable
installation.If youre interested in learning
how to become a solar installer, visit Zolt
Energy. If youre just interested in knowing how
solar is installed on your roof here's a quick
five-step guide.
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Step 1 Find a Solar Installer and Get an
EstimateTo find a solar installation
professional, you might ask friends or neighbours
who already have solar. They may be able to refer
you to a great local installer who can give you a
free quote. You might also get a quote from Zolt
Energy Team who provide free audits to client
location The solar advisor will ask you a
series of general questions about your home. This
often includes questions about your utility, the
amount of your monthly electric bills, the age of
your roof, the angle of your roof (flat or
pitched) and the type of roof, such as shingles,
tiles or clay. In addition to giving you an
estimate, your installer will often provide solar
financing options and educate you about any state
and central incentives for which you may qualify,
such as the solar subsidy.Once you choose an
installer and secure your financing method, the
solar system installation process can begin.   
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Step 2 The Home and Site EvaluationIn the
design phase, the solar installer will evaluate
your home to determine the best solar panels,
inverter, racking and other components. As part
of the evaluation, your solar installer will make
an appointment to inspect your attic, your roof
and your homes electrical system. He or she will
determine the best location to mount the hardware
that runs your system. During the inspection, the
installer will evaluate your property to ensure
that the installation is code compliant and will
recommend upgrades if required. For example, if
you have an older home, your electrical panel may
need to be updated, or when inspecting your attic
or roofing, the installer may discover issues
that require repair before your system is
installed.
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Step 3 Design and Permitting PhaseOnce all of
the information and measurements have been
gathered in Step 2, the solar installer will
create a solar engineering and site design plan.
The plan will include the number of panels and
where theyll be placed on your roof, the wiring
of the system and how it will be interconnected
with the utility. The design plan should also
ensure compliance with local fire safety
requirements. The installer will then submit
these plans to your city/state permitting
departments and to your DISCOMs. Unfortunately,
most states and utilities have different
requirements that can vary greatly and can be
confusing, even for solar professionals. Make
sure you find an installer who is familiar with
the local building codes and the local utility
companies.The design and permitting phase
typically takes approximately one to three
months, depending on the jurisdiction. Your
installer should keep you informed about the
progress and let you know when its time to
schedule the physical installation date.
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Step 4 Solar InstallationIn some ways, the
actual installation is the easiest part of
going solar. You might need to be present when
the installers arrive so you can give them access
to your roof and to the electrical system of your
home.If youre interested in watching, your
installer will let you and your family know where
to see all the action and there will be action.
These days, typical solar installations can be
completed as quickly as in one to three days,
depending on the size of your system.After the
solar panels are attached to the roof and the
related electrical and monitoring equipment is
mounted, the installer will clean up the work
area and begin the last phase.
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Step 5 Inspection and InterconnectionAs with
permitting, each state and utility has its own
final inspection and approval requirements for
solar installations. The DISCOM provider will
visit to make sure that your installation was
completed as planned in the granted permit. The
inspection process can vary widely and can take
anywhere from a few days to several weeks,
depending on where you live.The utility will
inspect and sign off on the installation before
its officially connected to the grid. Once
again, this interconnection waiting period can
take days or weeks, and as with permitting, the
regionally based installers may be able to
navigate through the system more efficiently and
keep you personally informed about how things are
progressing.After all utility approvals are
obtained, your installer will be ready to flip
the switch, and you can have the thrill of seeing
your meter spin backward and/or your electricity
bill decline as you generate your own clean
energy.
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Want to know how much you can save by going
solar? Contact Zolt Energy Team by going on
their website or give them a call at
91-8882122999 for a free estimate and to find
out more about typical installation time for your
home.