Solar Installation Day: What Actually Happens

If you've never had solar installed before, here's a realistic sense of what the crew actually does and what to expect as a homeowner during the process.

Before the crew arrives

Clear vehicles from the driveway and any items from the attic space directly below the work area if accessible, since installers often need attic access for wiring runs. Confirm pets are secured, since crews will be moving equipment and ladders around the exterior throughout the day.

Racking and mounting

The crew installs the mounting hardware first — roof hooks, rails, or ballasted racking depending on your roof type — which involves the most roof-walking and any necessary penetrations (for non-ballasted systems), sealed immediately as each point is completed.

Panel placement and wiring

Panels are lifted to the roof and secured to the racking, then wired together and connected to the inverter (or individual microinverters, if that's your system type) and the electrical panel inside your home. This is typically the most time-consuming phase.

What you won't have during installation

Your existing electrical service may be briefly interrupted (typically less than an hour) while the crew connects the new equipment to your home's electrical panel — ask your installer to give you a heads-up on timing if this matters for your day.

After the crew leaves

Your system is not yet legally allowed to operate — it still needs a local inspection and utility interconnection approval (see our permitting guide) before you can turn it on and start generating. Don't be surprised if there's a gap of days to weeks between "installed" and "actually turned on."