From your first call to flipping the switch, here’s exactly what happens.
No hidden steps, no surprise costs. Seven clear stages take you from a free consultation to a fully activated solar system, with a real person guiding you through each one.
Solar, made simple.
Switching to solar can feel complicated from the outside — permits, equipment, financing, utility paperwork. In practice, it comes down to seven stages, each handled by a specialist who’s done it hundreds of times.
You’ll always know what’s happening next, what it costs, and who’s responsible for it. Scroll through the timeline below to see the full path from your first conversation to your first solar-powered bill.
Seven stages, one point of contact.
Free Consultation
~30 minutesWe start with a conversation, not a sales pitch. A solar advisor learns your energy usage, your goals, and what’s driving the switch, whether that’s lower bills, backup power, or going off-grid.
- Review your last 12 months of energy bills
- Discuss goals: savings, backup, or independence
- No obligation, no pressure to sign anything
Home Assessment
On-site or remoteA technician evaluates your roof’s condition, orientation, and shading, either in person or using satellite and LIDAR imaging, and reviews your home’s electrical panel to confirm it can support solar.
- Roof condition and structural inspection
- Sunlight and shading analysis by season
- Electrical panel capacity review
Custom System Design
2–4 business daysOur engineering team builds a panel layout specific to your roof, factoring in your usage patterns and local weather data, then models your projected production and savings over 25 years.
- Engineer-reviewed panel placement
- Production and savings projections
- Battery sizing, if backup power is a goal
Proposal & Approval
You decide, no rushYou’ll see full, itemized pricing alongside every financing option available, cash, loan, lease, or a power purchase agreement, plus a realistic installation timeline before you approve anything.
- Transparent, itemized pricing
- Side-by-side financing comparison
- Written installation timeline
Professional Installation
Typically 1–3 daysA licensed, NABCEP-certified crew installs your system, panels, inverter, and battery if included, following strict safety protocols. Most homes are fully installed in one to three days.
- Licensed, background-checked installers
- OSHA-compliant safety standards
- Site cleanup included
Inspection & Activation
Utility-dependent, 2–5 wksYour local building department and utility company both inspect the system before it can go live. We manage the paperwork and scheduling end to end, then flip the switch once you’re approved.
- City permit inspection handled for you
- Utility interconnection approval
- Full system test before activation
Monitoring & Ongoing Support
For the life of the systemTrack real-time production from your phone, and let the app flag anything unusual before you’d notice it on a bill. Your system ships with a workmanship warranty plus manufacturer coverage on every component.
- Real-time production monitoring app
- 25-year workmanship & equipment warranty
- Direct line to our support team
The payoff, beyond the process.
Lower monthly bills
Most homeowners cut utility costs by 40–80% in year one.
Energy independence
Generate your own power instead of relying entirely on the grid.
Battery backup
Keep the lights on during outages with optional home storage.
Higher home value
Solar homes typically sell faster and at a premium.
Clean energy
Cut your household’s carbon footprint without changing your routine.
Tax incentives
Federal and state credits can offset a significant share of system cost.
Long-term savings
Lock in your power costs while grid electricity rates keep climbing.
Performance guarantee
Production shortfalls are covered by our 25-year warranty.
Every step, done by people who answer for it.
We don’t subcontract the parts that matter. The team that designs your system is accountable for how it performs, and the crew on your roof answers to us, not a staffing agency.
Licensed professionals
Every installer on your project is a licensed, background-checked employee.
Transparent pricing
Your proposal shows exact costs, no vague “starting at” figures.
Local expertise
We know your area’s permitting rules, utility policies, and weather patterns.
Customer-first support
One point of contact from your first call through your last warranty question.
What actually goes on your roof.
Every component is selected for your specific home, not a one-size-fits-all package.
Solar panels
High-efficiency monocrystalline panels rated for 25+ years of production.
Battery storage
Store surplus energy for use at night or during grid outages.
Inverters
Convert DC power from your panels into usable AC power for your home.
Monitoring software
Track production, usage, and savings in real time from your phone.
Smart home integration
Sync production with thermostats, EV chargers, and other connected devices.
EV chargers
Charge your electric vehicle directly from the power your roof generates.
Equipment We Install
What actually changes on your bill.
Average monthly electric bill for a 2,400 sq ft home before switching, based on regional utility rates.
Average bill after activation, factoring in system financing and net metering credits.
What the process actually felt like.
Every stage was explained before it happened. Nothing felt rushed and nothing felt like a surprise cost.
The assessment caught a shading issue I hadn’t noticed, and the design team adjusted the layout for it.
Installation took two days, and the monitoring app has been genuinely useful for spotting our usage patterns.
Common questions about going solar.
Most homeowners move from their first consultation to an activated system in six to ten weeks. Design and permitting usually take the longest; the physical installation itself is typically finished in one to three days.
Only if your roof assessment finds it won’t reliably last as long as the panels. Our home assessment includes a roof health check, and we’ll flag any concerns and financing options before you sign off on a design.
Yes. East and west-facing roofs still generate strong production, and our design team models your specific roof pitch, shading, and orientation to place panels where they’ll perform best, not just where they’re easiest to install.
Depending on your utility’s net metering policy, surplus power is typically sent back to the grid in exchange for credit on your bill, or stored in a home battery for later use. We walk through your local utility’s specific rules during your proposal.
Yes. Most customers choose between a solar loan, a lease, or a power purchase agreement, each with different upfront costs and ownership terms. We lay out the real numbers for each option in your proposal so you can compare them directly.
Very little. Panels have no moving parts and typically only need an occasional rinse. Your monitoring app flags any drop in production automatically, and your system ships with a workmanship warranty and manufacturer warranties covering major components.
Your free assessment takes ten minutes. The savings last decades.
No pressure, no obligation, just a clear picture of what solar would look like on your actual roof.
Related resources.
Get your free assessment
Tell us a bit about your home. A solar advisor will follow up within one business day.