Steps to Install Solar
Are you interested in upgrading to residential or commercial solar and want to know more about the process? There are many steps to install solar, each taking you closer to energy savings and security. Proper planning and professional design by Ellensburg Solar, Central Washington’s trusted solar panel company, ensures maximum energy production and lasting use. Here’s what to expect on your path to energy independence.
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Solar Power System Installation Steps
Solar energy system design and setup by our experienced team typically takes about 1-3 months from start to finish. Every aspect of solar panel installation is covered in your project estimate, including:
1. Energy usage and site assessment
We’ll start by calculating your family or business’s energy needs and evaluate site conditions, including ground space, roof conditions, sun orientation, trees, and shade.
2. Solar panel system design and approval
Following the assessment, we’ll discuss installation possibilities, considering your preferred solar panel location (ground or rooftop), solar energy production goals (on- or off-grid, net metering), system size, and budget.
3. Permit applications
Once you’ve approved your commercial or residential solar design, Ellensburg Solar will obtain the necessary HOA, zoning, and utility permits.
4. Discuss solar incentives
While awaiting permit approval, we’ll discuss available federal, state, and local solar installation incentives and begin paperwork as available.
5. Install solar panel mounting equipment
After permitting approval, our experienced contractors will begin installing ground or rooftop solar panel mounting structures.
6. Solar panel and battery backup installation
Next, we’ll attach your new panels to the mounting system and install lead or lithium-ion battery storage, if included, configuring your system for optimal performance and safety.
7. Electrical panel upgrades, wiring, and inverter installation
After installing the solar panel and battery system, we’ll install the necessary wiring and electrical components, including any additions for net metering compliance.
8. Integrate and test solar power system components
Next, we’ll connect the newly installed wiring to the associated solar panels, battery system, main electrical panel, and net meter. At this point, zoning, utility, and fire code inspections are conducted to ensure safety and regulatory compliance.
9. Grid connection and activation
Once our local utility provider approves the installation, we’ll connect your system to the grid, turn it on, and test solar panel performance.
10. Solar energy system operational and maintenance instructions
Congratulations! You’re generating your own solar energy! Now, we’ll teach you how to operate and care for your system to ensure optimal performance and lasting use.
Home Solar Installation Considerations
Our home solar installations generally span from 5-20 kW. We tend to install more rooftop panels due to property size limitations, though ground installations are possible with larger lots. Sloped roofs require careful placement, which our skilled crew has the skills to manage. Our design team typically recommends microinverters to reduce energy loss in transmission over cheaper string inverters. We also suggest a battery backup to ensure access to power in grid outages. Residential net metering programs, which are simple and straightforward to join, allow for a faster return on investment.
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Commercial Solar Installation Considerations
Our commercial solar installations range from 20 kW to several megawatts. These larger, more complicated commercial solar configurations require heavy-duty wiring and equipment, leading to stricter zoning, engineering, and permitting regulations. Professional design and installation will ensure safety and compliance and a system design that meets your energy production goals. Flat, warehouse-style roofs allow for easier installation. We recommend central inverters to handle commercial energy production loads. Battery systems should be carefully sized, weighing energy storing needs against overall costs. Net metering reimbursement terms may be more complex, varying from full retail to lower wholesale rates.
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Don’t Miss Out on Available Solar Rebates and Incentives
Take the first steps to install solar with service from Ellensburg Solar. Contact us at 509-929-2728 to schedule an energy assessment for your Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Grandview, Granger, Kennewick, Kittitas, Moxee, Naches, Pasco, Prosser, Richland, Selah, Sunnyside, Toppenish, Wapato, White Swan, Yakima, or Zillah home or business today.