When it comes time to install a solar power system in Frederick, one of the first things most people wonder is how long the process will take. This is a natural concern since most homeowners are anxious to start using their solar panels in Arvada.

When it comes to installation time for solar panels for your home in Frederick, though, many factors can impact the timeline. Each job is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer for this. That said, however, some recurring considerations can extend (or decrease) the installation timeline.

Here’s what customers need to know:

How Long Does It Take to Install a Solar Power System in Frederick?

If a customer is installing an average 3-kilowatt system, the average installation time is about 1-3 days or roughly 75 hours of labor time on the part of the installation team. Most jobs this size require just under 50 hours of electrician time, and about 26 hours of non-electrician installation time.

Again, many things impact the exact hours required for each project. This is, however, a pretty accurate estimate for most average household systems.

6 Considerations That Alter the Installation Timeline of a Solar Power System

As customers begin to consider the process of installing solar panels in Arvada, here are a few factors they’ll want to keep in mind:

1. The Evaluation Process

The first step during a solar installation is a complete evaluation of the install site. A solar team must go out to a customer’s home and inspect the roofline, ground, and rafters to ensure the home is indeed compatible with solar panels and the mounting equipment.

While this evaluation process is typically very quick, it can extend quickly if the team has to navigate obvious installation difficulties or make a plan to work around factors like shade, poor roof orientation, or anything else.

2. Waiting for Permits

Installing solar panels for a home in Frederick requires the solar company to pull the necessary permits. This can take some time, as it relies on the timeline of the city, not the timeline of the contractor.

These permits are, however, non-negotiable, as they outline things like building codes, best practices for installation, height requirements, and more. Ultimately, customers pay for these permits, although the cost is typically rolled into the price of the complete panel system.

3. Ordering Materials

Once the licenses have come through, and an installer has evaluated the site for the new solar power system in Frederick, the team will order materials. This is one of the things that can either hasten or extend the timeline for solar panels.

In some cases, an installer can pull materials from what they have on hand, which will speed up the installation process and ensure the job gets done quickly. In other cases, installers need to order materials from third-party suppliers, which can take weeks and, in some cases, months. 

4. Scheduling the Job

The next step in installing panels is for the solar company in Arvada to plan the job. Generally, a solar company in Firestone will schedule at least a few weeks out, although this timeline can easily stretch or contract depending on the workload of the solar contractor.

Most companies that install solar panels for a home in Frederick will recommend that customers plan to wait at least a week or two for their installers to make it to their jobsite. In some cases, though, factors like off-season installation or small jobs can allow installers to work on a system much more immediately than they would otherwise be able to.

5. The Installation Process

One of the most streamlined parts of the entire installation process is the installation itself. In most cases, this process runs smoothly. By now, installers should have all the materials they need to install the panels, and should have evaluated the premises accurately enough to identify (and navigate around) any potential pitfalls.

Assuming these things are true, the installation process should take a day or several to complete. While one solar company in Arvada may differ from another, this is a good estimate of time. People who have questions about their specific installation timeline can speak directly to a solar company in Firestone.

6. Connecting the Panels to the Larger Grid

Finally, once a solar company in Arvada has installed the system, it’s time to connect it to the grid and obtain permission to begin operating. The solar company will now work on connecting the panels to a local inverter so the panels can run appliances in the homeowner’s kitchen and throughout the home. If a person is installing a battery storage system, now is the time to do that.

Finally, once the system is connected to an inverter, it will be time for the homeowner to settle in and begin using the panels. It can take some time to get used to this process, and many people have questions for their solar installers even after the job is done.

Easier Solar Installations

Today, each solar panel installation is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all rule for how long it will take to install a system. For customers looking for ways to estimate total installation time, though, these six factors are a great place to begin. When each of these things is met quickly and easily, solar panel installations run faster and more easily. When there are hangups in these factors, it can extend the timeline of a job and make the process more difficult for both homeowners and installers.

Again, though, each job is different. Customers who have questions about their specific job should speak directly to a local installer. This installer will be able to provide specific details and estimates and help homeowners plan for their new panel system.F