Our Process
SUN/SOLAR/LIFE
Bringing Solar Power to Your Doorstep
How Sun Solar Life Works
Scheduling the Site Survey
During the Site Survey:
- Electrical and Roof Assessment: Our technician will conduct a thorough assessment of your electrical setup and the structural integrity of your roof. This involves inspecting your attic and breaker panel. Depending on the complexity of your roof structure, the technician may also need to access other rooms in your home. This ensures that the planned solar installation is safe and effective.
- Safety Considerations: Ensuring the safety of the solar installation is paramount. The site survey may involve:
- Assessing the roof’s structural integrity.
- Ensuring proper electrical connections at the breaker panel.
- Planning the placement of solar panels to minimize safety risks.
- Adult Presence: An adult over the age of 18 must be present for the duration of the site survey. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please notify us at least 48 hours in advance.
Completing the Site Survey
How Sun Solar Life Works
Preparing the Design
- Roof Orientation and Sun Exposure: We assess the direction your roof faces, as this affects the amount of sunlight your panels will receive. For example, a roof facing south in the northern hemisphere receives the most sunlight, making it the most efficient.
- Shading and Obstructions: We take note of any trees or structures that might cast shade on your panels throughout the day. This helps us design a layout that maximizes sunlight exposure and energy production.
- Necessary Upgrades: Sometimes, the site survey reveals that upgrades are needed, such as an outdated main panel or insufficient space for breakers. If your survey indicates such changes, we’ll design your system assuming these upgrades will be completed by the time of installation. These requirements won’t delay our design process.
Reviewing the Design
Finalizing the Design
How Sun Solar Life Works
Submitting Permitting
After your solar design is finalized, our team compiles your application package and submits it to your local jurisdiction. This can be done online or, in rare cases, directly in person.
Permitting can take up to six weeks depending on various factors outside our control. Each jurisdiction has its own standardized review process and timeline. For instance, permits in California tend to be approved quickly, whereas other states, such as Florida and Colorado, may take longer due to specific requirements.
Obtaining Permitting
Most permits we submit on behalf of Sun Solar Life homeowners are approved on the first attempt. If they aren’t, we promptly make the necessary changes and re-submit the paperwork.
Once we have the necessary permits issued by your city or county, along with any other required approvals from your utility company or HOA, we can schedule your installation.
How Sun Solar Life Works
Scheduling Your Installation
Today’s the day! Expect our installation crew to arrive in the morning, ready to work. Some projects will be completed over a couple of days.
Closer to the installation date, we’ll coordinate with you regarding when and where the materials will be delivered. For example, if installation is scheduled for Monday, the materials will likely need to be delivered the Friday before.
An adult over the age of 18 should be present to receive the materials and on the day(s) of installation. We also encourage you to be available by phone in case the driver needs help with directions. If you need to cancel or reschedule, please contact us at least 48 hours in advance.
Installation
Our installation crew typically arrives in the morning and spends about eight hours installing the solar equipment. This can vary depending on the system size. The crew will need access to your home’s electrical panels and possibly your attic space. They might also need access to your backyard, so we encourage you to have gates unlocked and pets secured.
Depending on your electrical setup and whether you’ve added a battery to your project, installations can take two days to complete the hardware installation.
Next Steps
Even though the panels are successfully installed, you won’t be able to turn on your system just yet. A few things need to happen first.
After your solar panels are installed, we’ll request an appointment with your local jurisdiction’s inspection office on your behalf. Typically, this is scheduled within 5-10 business days after you pay your remaining Sun Solar Life balance.
On the day of inspection, our technician will arrive during the scheduled inspection window provided by the inspections office to complete any minor work needed and prepare for the inspector’s arrival.
How Sun Solar Life Works
Local Jurisdiction Inspection
After your solar panels are installed, we’ll request an appointment with your local jurisdiction’s inspection office on your behalf. Typically, this will be scheduled within 5-10 business days of you paying your remaining Sun Solar Life balance. Some jurisdictions don’t require an inspection; in that case, we only need to wait for permission to operate (PTO) from your utility company.
On the day of inspection, our technician will arrive during the scheduled inspection window to complete any minor work needed and prepare for the inspector’s arrival. Minor work might include painting the conduit/equipment due to HOA requirements, applying labels, or filling in a trench with dirt or cement.
Most home inspections pass on the first attempt. However, if the inspector requires changes, we’ll quickly coordinate those changes with our installation team and the inspector, though this will usually require an additional site visit.
Next Steps
After the inspection, the inspector will provide us with a report, which we’ll submit to the utility company for PTO, needed to turn on the solar system.
This can be the longest part of the process, sometimes taking up to nine weeks. Unfortunately, this is mostly out of our control and heavily dependent on how quickly your utility company processes the request.
As soon as PTO is approved, our technical support team will reach out to you by email or phone to show you how to turn on your system and monitor your solar production. We’ll also guide you on how to download and use system apps for monitoring.
