You’ve done your research, and you’re ready to go solar! Congratulations, you are about to take a big step towards saving money, improving the resell value of your home, and reducing your carbon footprint. What you may be wondering now is what the process looks like moving forward. What, you may ask, exactly needs to get done to get this system installed? ETM Solar Works is here to answer that question!
Step 1: You sign your contract. This is the first step towards going solar! ETM Solar Works, like many other installers, asks for a small down payment at the time of signing. Once we have your signed contract and down payment, we are ready to start moving your project forward!
Step 2: The tech visit. Your sales person will reach out to you to set up a time for your tech visit. During the tech visit, our system designer and sales person travel to your site to gather key information (like photos of your array location and utility meter) that helps us design your system and complete pre-install paperwork. The visit usually takes about 30 minutes.
Step 3: Paperwork. ETM Solar Works handles all of your pre-install paperwork! We handle designing your system, getting your building permit, your NYSERDA grant (if you live in New York), and approval from your utility company – all prior to installation. Sometimes, we will request your signature on certain documents. If we need to do this, we will send the paperwork to you electronically or your sales person will bring you paper copies to sign. Either way, we will have handled filling out the forms in advance, and all you will need to do is sign. It usually takes us a few weeks to get pre-install approvals.
Step 3: Start of installation. Approximately 2 weeks before your scheduled installation date, you will receive a start of work letter and invoice via email. Your sales person may also communicate with you about financing procedure at this time (depending on whether and how you are financing your system). As your installation date approaches, our installation manager will communicate with you about what specific time (and specific date) you can expect our crew to arrive. Installation typically takes 2-5 days, depending on the size of your system.
Step 4: Electrical inspection. After your system has been installed, our installation manager coordinates an electrical inspection with a certified inspector. Our installation manager will let you know when you can expect the inspection to happen.
Step 5: Meter change. Once your system has been inspected, ETM Solar Works will coordinate with your utility and initiate the process to get your meter swapped. Typically, we initiate this process within 1-2 business days of your system being inspected, but it can take up to a few weeks for your utility to swap your meter. Your utility will let you know when you can expect the meter change to happen. Representatives from your utility will come to your site and swap out your meter.
Step 6: Enjoy your brand new solar system! If you would like, your sales person and our installation manager can schedule a final visit with you, during which they initialize (turn on) your system if you have not already done so yourself. After your system is complete, there is nothing left to do but enjoy your beautiful new solar system and the credits on your electric bill!
The good news is that while there are a lot of “steps” to going solar, there is very little required of you! A good solar company will make the process simple and handle the behind-the-scenes paperwork for you. Solar is a smart investment – we want to make it as easy as possible to make it happen!
Interested in going solar with us? Get a free quote today!
