I’ve heard a lot of people say that they avoid having solar panels because of the invasive installation process. But actually, in a lot of cases, solar panel installation isn’t as terrifying as you might first think.
Yes, there are times that other work may need to be carried out such as roof repairs or even a replacement. But when you work with a trusted installer, the entire process will be explained to you and kept as simple as it possibly can.
But, before you start researching and looking for an installation company, I think it’s really important to get to grips with what to expect. This way, the process will seem far less daunting.
What Are The First Steps Of Solar Panel Installation?
When you initially decide to have solar panels fitted, it’s up to you to find a reputable installation company. I recently wrote a guide on choosing an installer which provides some handy tips to get the best value for money and a reliable installer.
Once you have decided on a company, you will be offered a home visit so that the installer can assess the suitability of your property for solar panels. Some companies may offer a quote over the phone but I would be wary of this as without actually seeing the property, it can be difficult to determine exactly what needs to be done.
In some cases, it may be necessary to have the roof repaired before the panels can be safely installed. Moreover, if your roof is coming to the end of its life, your installer may suggest replacing it before the work can go ahead.
How Long Does It Take To Have Solar Panels Installed?
Many people believe that solar panel installation is a time-consuming job. The last thing that anyone wants is to have their home taken over by installers for an unnecessarily long time.
But there’s good news…
…installing solar panels usually takes no longer than a day. Your scaffolding will normally be erected the day before the installation and again, this can be done within the day so disruption is kept to a minimum.
Of course, there are factors outside of the control of your installer that may impact how long it takes to complete the work. For example, if you have a much larger property then it could take a little longer. Moreover, if there is any adverse or extreme weather, the installation may need to be paused for safety reasons.
What’s Involved In The Actual Installation: An Easy Break Down Of The Steps
Once you have consulted with your installation expert and decided on the best course of action, it’s time for the work to start. Of course, if you require any roof work, this will happen beforehand so I’ll omit that from the following steps.
- Scaffolding will be erected on your property to allow the installers to access the roof and have a safe and convenient place to work.
- Next, your installer will attach anchors and a frame to your roof which are typically installed under the roof tiles. These provide a secure place from which to attach the panels.
- The next step is to install the panels. They’ll first be placed onto the frame and your installer will ensure that they are correctly angled before finally securing them.
- An inverter will now be installed near the breaker panel and this part of the equipment is designed to turn the energy from a direct current to an alternating current which can be used to power the appliances within your home.
- In order for that power to get inside your property, the inverter must be connected to the home which is done by connecting it to a circuit breaker within your fuse box (sometimes called a consumer unit.)
- There are some inverters that have a generation metre built in but if yours does not, your installer will fit one and this will tell you how much energy your system is generating.
- If you’ve decided to have a solar battery fitted to store excess energy then this will be connected to the inverter at this point.
- Before your installation expert is finished, he or she will test the system to make sure everything is running as it should be.
- Even after your installation is complete, your installer will provide you with aftercare and a generous warranty. This means that if anything doesn’t work as expected or goes wrong, you can contact them to repair the problem at no extra cost to you.
