Solar services

A normal residential job runs in this order: site assessment and roof evaluation, system design and proposal, permit application to your authority having jurisdiction, installation, local inspection, then the utility's interconnection approval and permission to operate. You do not generate credited power until that last step clears, and it is often the longest part of the schedule.

The US Department of Energy's homeowner guidance is the most neutral overview of this process and is worth reading before you take a single sales appointment — it is written by people with nothing to sell you.

Two services people forget to ask about at signing: removal and reinstall (what it costs to take panels off and put them back when you reroof) and service after the sale (who physically shows up in year eight). Get both answered in writing. If your roof has fewer than ten years left, reroof first — paying twice to move an array is a common, avoidable expense.

How to choose

Confirm who does the actual install

Many national brands subcontract. Ask for the name of the installing company and check its license and reviews, not just the brand's.

Ask about roof age up front

If your roof is near end of life, replace it before installing. Removal and reinstall later costs real money and creates a warranty finger-pointing risk.

Get the interconnection responsibility in writing

The installer should file with the utility and handle inspection corrections. Confirm that is included, not billed hourly.

Ask what monitoring costs after year one

Monitoring is often free for a period and then becomes a subscription, or dies if the installer goes out of business.

Verify licensing and insurance yourself

Contractor licensing is state-specific. Look up the license number with your state board directly rather than trusting a PDF from the sales rep.