How long does it take to install solar panels?
If you decide to install solar panels on your roof, be patient: it will take a few months before you see the savings on your energy bill.
Installing solar energy isn’t as quick a project as you might think. The physical installation of a residential solar system is a relatively small construction project that can be completed in as little as one day by a competent company. But the formal process that takes place between choosing a solar installation company and actually having a working system on your property involves several more steps before and after installation day, and usually takes several months.
“The big issue is you can put panels on the roof, but do the panels get approved for inspection? Do they go to PTO?” said Garrett Mendelsohn, referring to “permission to operate.” Mendelsohn is the founder of Puerto Rico-based Solar bootcampwhich offers training for solar energy professionals.
In reality, a single solar system installation is a dance marathon involving a series of moves and interactions between a homeowner, local permitting agencies, a solar company, and the homeowner’s utility company. It can get messy at times, but if you know what to prepare for, you can pull it off.
How long does it take to install solar panels on a roof?
The short answer is: it depends. Factors include market conditions, potential challenges and obstacles specific to your location, the complexity of your system, and backlogs with utilities and local government departments.
You’ll find that some of the above factors are completely out of your control, and likely out of the control of the installer you choose. If you ask around to neighbors who have recently had systems installed, you may get a better idea of how quickly the process moves in your area at any given time. The reality is, there will likely be at least a few months, if not more, between the time you decide you’re serious about solar and the time electrons start flowing through your system.
This is what the process will look like.
Step 1: Choosing an installer
About a few weeks to a few months, but take your time
This step is easy to overlook, but it’s perhaps the most important. Choosing a solar company shouldn’t be as simple as reading a few online reviews and then signing a contract with the company that sounds best in your area. Definitely start with this step to find out which companies work in your area. CNET has a wealth of information on the subject, but it’s impossible to be completely comprehensive in a market as large and rapidly changing as solar has become.
A good place to start is CNET’s curated list of the best solar companies. Read our reviews, check out the companies’ websites, and see Better Business Bureau reviews, and other options. But also ask around with neighbors, ask for references from companies, and most importantly, get multiple quotes from local installers that you can compare and contrast before signing any contracts or transferring money to anyone.
Keep in mind, the residential solar industry is highly competitiveand sellers respond very quickly. This step should take as long as you need. The pressure to sign a contract quickly can be a sign of a scam company, so be wary. For added peace of mind, you can check a company’s license and certifications through the North American Council of Certified Energy Practitioners.
This entire process will likely take a few weeks at a minimum, depending on how quickly installers can give you a quote. Many can provide an estimate without physically visiting your property, using tools like satellite imagery and video conferencing, but others will want to actually see your setup on site with human eyes. Give yourself a month or more to do your due diligence on this step — it will save you a headache later.
It can take several months before solar energy is actually generated from the moment you sign a contract.
Step 2: Location Assessment
About 1-3 weeks
Installers approach this step a little differently. More and more often, companies are doing preliminary designs and quotes remotely. But in most cases, an installer will want to take a closer look in person before finalizing the plan and signing a contract. The results of this visit may involve tweaking the design (and price) or doing some sort of prep work, including small things like tree trimming or big deals like roofing that can add significant expense and delays.
Mosst Solar companies will prioritize this step because they dedicate a lot of resources to the customer acquisition side of the business, but some installers also have more work than they can handle, so you may have to wait a while. We hear most often that a site assessment should be done within one to three weeks of contact.
Step 3: Design and engineering your new solar system
About 2-14 days
This step is usually done on the backend by the solar company, probably using software that spits out a design relatively quickly. The homeowner should be given the opportunity to provide feedback before anything is finalized. If not, you should insist on reviewing the design before you agree to anything.
This step largely depends on how busy your solar company is. They should be able to enter the details of your project into a software program and have a design within an afternoon. If your property is exceptionally unique or challenging to install solar panels on, the process may take longer. You may also have an installer who is more meticulous or likes to run the design by local permitting agencies before it is finalized. This is a rare but good delay to encounter. Don’t be afraid to ask your installer how they design your system.
Step 4: Obtain permits
The timeline may vary depending on the local government
This is one of the first big wild cards in the solar installation timeline, as different permitting agencies (usually a local city or county planning or building office) operate differently, with different resources. In most cases, your installer will need to obtain permits and deal with the proper authorities, but timelines can vary. It can be a good idea to ask installers up front what the current timeline for permits is and what their working relationship is with the authorities.
The The Department of Energy has led an effort In recent years, there have been initiatives to encourage local governments to speed up the solar permitting process, with some projects being approved in as little as two weeks, while more stubborn governments can delay your project for a few months.
The clickable map in the image will give you an idea of how quickly the permitting process takes place. Solar TRACE tool from the National Renewable Energy Laboratorybut only for areas with sufficient data to make estimates.
Step 5: Installing solar panels
2-3 days, but depending on the weather
On installation day, the homeowner usually stays out of the way and just watches. Installers will need access to your roof, attic, fuse box or utility meter, and possibly all the wires in between. You may need to schedule your home’s power to be shut off for a period of time.
A simple installation can be completed in less than a day, while more complex systems or properties may require two to three days. Installers will try to schedule when weather conditions are ideal, but unexpected bad conditions can delay things.
Step 6: Final inspection and commissioning
Weeks to months
This is the other major bottleneck that can slow down the system, along with permitting. A combination of local permitting agencies and your utility (if you are connecting your system to the grid) will want to inspect your new installation before it is approved and you are given permission to operate. Again, your installer will need to coordinate all of this with the relevant agencies.
This can be where the most frustrating delays occur, after it’s been weeks or even months since you’ve had panels on your property but they still can’t be activated. “So many companies fail inspections over and over again,” Mendelsohn said, adding that he’s seen more than one company wait more than a year to correct things and get approved for use.
This is where it pays to be careful in step one when selecting your installer.
Factors Affecting Installation Timeline
Mendelsohn noted that consumers often overlook whether an installer does all of the work himself.
“When companies use subcontractors, it causes a lot of problems,” he said, explaining that subcontractors don’t have enough incentive to fix problems that arise after the work is approved. When researching installers, look at which companies use subcontractors and which don’t. CNET notes this detail in each of our solar company reviews.
Frequently asked questions about installing solar panels
How long does it take for solar panels to start working?
The process of selecting a solar panel installer, installing it, and obtaining permission from a local utility company to install the solar panels can often take several weeks or even several months.
How long is the payback period for solar energy?
This depends on several variables, including the size of your system, your energy usage, net metering rates in your area, and even interest rates. On average, it takes about six to ten years to recoup the cost of a solar system.
