Guides
How solar gets installed
Timeless, fact-checked explainers on the installation process.
Installation ProcessCan You Install Solar Yourself? (DIY Solar, Honestly)DIY solar is possible and can save money - but it's genuinely hard. Here's what's involved, the real risks, and why you can always call a pro to pick up where you got stuck.Hiring & CostDo You Need a License to Install Solar Panels?Pros almost always need an electrical or solar contractor license. Homeowners can often DIY on their own home with a permit - but rules vary. Here's how it works.Installation ProcessHow Long Does Solar Installation Take?The panels go up in 1-3 days, but the full process usually takes 1-3 months. Here's a realistic timeline for each step and what causes the delays.Roof & MountingHow Many Solar Panels Do I Need? (With Real Examples)Size a system from your electricity use, then check it fits your roof. Includes worked examples for small, average, and large homes - in panels, kW, and square feet.Hiring & CostHow Much Does Solar Installation Cost?Solar installation runs about $2.50-$3.50 per watt - roughly $15,000-$25,000 for a typical home - and labor, permits, and overhead are a big share. Here's the breakdown.Roof & MountingHow Much Weight Can Your Roof Hold? (Solar Panel Load Explained)Solar panels add about 3 lbs per square foot. Most code-built roofs handle that without reinforcement - but here's how roof load works and when an engineer is needed.Roof & MountingHow Solar Panels Mount to Your Roof (and How Leaks Are Prevented)Solar panels attach via roof penetrations, flashing, rails, and clamps. Here's how a proper mount works, how installers prevent leaks, and what to check.Hiring & CostHow to Choose a Solar Installer (and Red Flags to Avoid)The installer matters as much as the panels. Here's how to vet one - licensing, experience, warranties, and finances - plus the red flags that signal trouble.Permits & InterconnectionInterconnection and PTO: Getting Permission to OperateEven after install and inspection, your solar can't legally run until the utility grants Permission to Operate (PTO). Here's what interconnection and PTO mean.Electrical & SafetySolar Electrical Basics: Inverters, Wiring & Rapid ShutdownThe electrical side of a solar install - inverters, your main panel, wiring, and code-required safety like rapid shutdown - explained in plain English.Installation ProcessThe Solar Installation Process, Step by StepFrom signing to switch-on, here's exactly what happens during a home solar installation - site survey, design, permits, install day, inspection, and PTO.Roof & MountingCan You Install Solar on Any Roof Type?Asphalt, metal, tile, flat, wood, slate - most roofs can take solar, but the method and cost differ. Here's how each roof type affects a solar installation.Permits & InterconnectionSolar Permits and Inspections, ExplainedSolar installs need building and electrical permits, then a code inspection before they can switch on. Here's what's involved, who handles it, and typical timelines.Electrical & SafetySolar Wiring: What Cables and Wires Are Used (Overview)A plain-English overview of solar wiring - PV wire, MC4 connectors, THWN-2 home runs, grounding, and gauges - plus why wire sizing is licensed electrical work.Installation ProcessWhat Tools Are Needed to Install Solar Panels?A rundown of the tools a solar installation actually requires - safety gear, roof tools, mounting tools, and electrical tools - and which ones are non-negotiable.Electrical & SafetyDo I Need a Main Panel Upgrade for Solar?Some homes need an electrical panel upgrade before solar, many don't. Here's how the 120% rule decides, what an upgrade costs, and the cheaper alternatives.
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