Installing solar panels can be a fantastic method to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your FPL bill. Still, it's essential to follow the proper steps for a successful installation. This guide will help you understand the process of installing solar panels in South Florida.
What's The Starting Point For Solar Technology
Start With a Home Energy Audit
Even if solar doesn't interest you or you just want to save money on your monthly power bill, it's a smart idea to ensure your home is energy efficient. An energy audit can help you specify which areas of your home need refinement. Then, if you rectify these issues, you can ensure energy efficiency in your home. For instance, if you need to weatherize your home, you may need to switch to energy-efficient lighting and appliances.
The 5 Main Steps To Solar Panel Installation
Having a solar power system installed in your home can diminish your reliance on conventional utilities, saving you significant money every month on utility bills. Moreover, it offers an applicable way to reduce your environmental footprint, contributing to a healthier and cleaner society.
As it may seem, a lot has little to do with the actual installation for a successful solar installation. However, here are a couple of topics to note before discussing solar panel installation.
To begin with, solar panel installation demands a thorough understanding of the technology being used, as well as the engineering involved. So, the average individual will presumably want to hire an experienced solar panel installer instead of trying to install solar panels as a DYI project. The backend savings of a properly designed PV system will be far more significant than the savings from doing it yourself the vast majority of the time.
Advice from Hollywood Solar Pros: For some reason, it's a popular idea for people to take on installing solar panels themselves. But unfortunately, we get many calls from people who botched their installation and cost themselves far more money and time in the long run, when the whole point of going solar is to save money.
Secondly, installing solar panels usually is not done in a day. Therefore, you will still need to take specific steps throughout the installation process to ensure a dependable, effective, and efficient solar energy system.
To install a solar panel, follow these steps:
1) Find an Engineer to Help Conduct a Site Survey Of Your Home
A solar installation company will send an engineer to your home once you select the best solar installation company for you and get under contract. The engineer will assess your electrical system and ensure everything is compatible with the system you intend to install. You can involve local contractors or have a worker of the solar company be part of this process.
The engineer may recommend that you upgrade or replace your old and obsolete electrical system if it is outdated. Often, this implies that you will need more power than your existing electrical system can take on for your new solar energy system.
An engineer will examine your roofing system along with your electrical system. The home should be structurally sound to hold up solar panels. Furthermore, the engineer can let you know if you will need specialized mounting systems similar to that of a flat roof.
2) Get the Correct Permits
Before installing solar panels, our local government makes you jump through a couple of bureaucratic hoops.
Your solar panel installation will only be lawful if it meets all local zoning and safety provisions. To ensure this, you must acquire all the correct permits and documentation. It's incredible how many headaches can arise from installing something prior to it being approved.
While this step may seem a bit much, here's the good news: While you'll have an abundance of paperwork to deal with, your solar company handles the bulk of it. So it really isn't a big deal to lend a signature here and there, but it's still critical to understand what takes place behind the scenes.
You will file the ensuing paperwork with your solar panel installer:
Building permits for local electrical and/or building work.
You must sign an interconnection agreement with your local utility company to install solar and enroll in net metering (basically, you need to get permission from FPL to install solar in Florida).
Solar panels incentive programs for the state and the federal government.
You may be qualified for reimbursements, tax credits, or other financial aid to offset installation costs by completing this paperwork.
The installer will need some time to finish all the paperwork, and the government will take time to process the data - sometimes numerous weeks. Therefore, to ensure that the process progresses smoothly, it is a smart idea to follow up and get updates every couple of days.
3) Ensure To Order the Correct Equipment
Once your installer has all the permits pulled and paperwork finished, they will order the installation equipment.
You have already picked the solar panels and batteries you will need in this step. A solar proposal lays out these options well before you sign anything.
Research the various types of solar panels and how they work prior to you purchasing them. Your installer can assist you in choosing the correct solar panels for your needs, whether they're the most efficient or the most inexpensive.
Once your solar equipment is ordered, your name will be identified on the installer's waiting list. As soon as your solar panels reach the distributor, you will be scheduled for an installer to put them together.
4) Time To Install Your Solar Panels
Upon arriving, your solar installer will start by prepping the roof, specifically ensuring that each tile or shingle is stable. Solar installers will then install the required wiring to hook your solar system to your electrical system.
After the wire installation, your installer will place the racking that holds and stabilizes the solar panels correctly. Next, an inverter (or multiple microinverters) is connected to the panels, and then the panels are placed into the racks. Finally, your installer will install the battery bank if you purchased one.
The most frequently asked question about installing solar panels is how long the installation takes. A solar panel installation doesn't happen in one day. They are typically taking one to three days, depending on the location of your home and the size of the project.
Assuming you have developed and planned your solar system the right way, this step should be the simplest.
5) Get The System Approved and Connected
After the installation is finished, your installer will essentially "flip the switch" to begin your journey with solar. Before this is possible, you will probably need the authorization to operate (PTO) of a municipal government representative, such as FPL. Basically, it's just an extra safety measure to ensure a fresh set of eyes checks the wiring and electrical work.
A local rep from the utility company must be contacted to connect the system to the electrical grid. With net metering programs, you can still pull electricity when you needed and safely feed any extra power back into the grid, permitting your utility company to credit you for the electricity you use.
If you live in or near Hollywood, FL and would like to get a free estimate on the costs of going solar and the savings you will enjoy then click the button below to call us.