How to install solar panels in 2025

Week 1

Installing solar panels can offset or even eliminate your electric bill from your monthly expenses; the higher your electric bill, the more money you can save by going solar. To understand your current electricity usage, look for a measurement of your annual kilowatt hours (kWh) rating on your bill or your account page on your utility's website. 

It’s generally a good idea to undergo a home energy audit to uncover anything that makes your home less efficient before you size a solar panel system. The less energy your home needs, the less demand you put on the electric grid; switching to energy-efficient lighting and appliances or weatherizing your home may help reduce your electricity consumption.

Tip: Gather 12 months of electric bills now so you can provide accurate usage data to installers.

A solar panel system has significant upfront costs, but it’ll pay off in the end when done right. To get the most out of your system, ensure your home can accommodate solar panels before installing them on your roof. 

Your roof's shading, orientation and angle towards the sun, and age contribute to its potential for generating solar energy. In a perfect world, your panels would face south and tilt between 15 and 40 degrees. You can still certainly have a productive solar panel system if your roof falls outside those parameters, but it's important to understand how your home’s specifications may impact a solar installation. 

Tip: Use online solar calculators to get a preliminary assessment of your roof's solar potential before contacting installers. This will help you assess quotes from the start.

Week 1

Incentives and rebates can help cut your overall costs to install solar. Many states offer tax credits, rebates, or performance-based incentives that can reduce your costs and boost your savings.

The federal solar tax credit expires for purchased systems installed after December 31, 2025, and is largely unavailable to most homeowners due to limited installer capacity through the end of the year. However, if you're considering a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), these third-party owned systems still qualify for the federal tax credit through 2027—and the right provider should pass those savings along to you through lower monthly rates.

Tip: Research state and local incentives early, as some have their own deadlines or limited funding that operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Weeks 1-2

How you pay for solar depends on what matters most to you—maximizing long-term returns, maintaining capital flexibility, or simplifying the solar experience.

• Cash purchase: Buying your system outright delivers the highest lifetime solar savings since you'll avoid interest payments and own your system from day one. This option makes sense if you have available capital and want to maximize your return on investment.

• Solar loan: Solar loans let you own your system without the upfront cost of a cash purchase. You'll make fixed monthly payments while immediately benefiting from energy savings, and you'll qualify for any available state incentives. This option works well if you want ownership benefits while keeping some funds available for other opportunities.

• Lease or PPA: With a solar lease or power purchase agreement (PPA), you pay a monthly amount for the solar energy your system produces—typically lower than your current utility rates. The solar company owns and maintains the system, handling any performance issues while you enjoy immediate savings. Since these third-party owned projects still qualify for the federal tax credit through 2027, the right provider should pass those savings to you through lower rates. This option preserves maximum capital flexibility and eliminates maintenance responsibilities, though lifetime savings are typically lower than ownership options.

Tip: Get pre-approved for solar financing if you're planning to use a loan. This will allow you to move quickly when you find the right installer and system.

Weeks 1-2

Once you've identified your energy needs, your home's potential, and the incentives in your area, it's time to find a qualified professional to handle your installation. Comparing multiple quotes helps you weigh your options apples-to-apples and narrow down the installer who best fits your budget and timeline. 

When requesting quotes, ask specifically about:

• Current installation timelines and availability

• Equipment availability and lead times

• Whether they offer virtual site visits to speed up the process

Tip: Get multiple quotes and compare the carefully to ensure you're getting good value for your investment.

Weeks 3-4

After you sign a solar contract, an engineer will visit your property to evaluate your home's electrical status and ensure everything is compatible with your incoming solar installation. During their visit, the engineer will assess the condition of your roof and your electrical panel (the gray box in your basement) to confirm that your home can support a solar panel system. 

An engineer will typically visit your home themselves, although sometimes installers take photos and measurements of the property and have the engineer sign off without doing an in-person visit. 

An engineer visit differs from a general site visit. Before any contract is signed, an installer will conduct a general site visit to evaluate your property and create your system design based on your roof type, roof angle, and shading. The engineer comes in after contracts are signed to confirm it’s safe to proceed with your installer’s plans.

Tip: Ask your installer if they offer virtual site visits—many installers can now assess your property remotely using satellite imagery and photos, potentially saving one or two weeks in the process. Or, ask if they can combine their engineer visit with their general site visit to save time. 

Weeks 5-7

Installing solar panels involves a lot of paperwork. Your installer should deal with most of this, but knowing what's happening behind the scenes is always helpful. This step can take a while, so choosing an installer experienced with your local permitting process can save valuable time. 

The main things to be aware of include:

• State incentive application: You’ll need to apply for things like solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs). Your installer should be aware of the incentives you qualify for and help you file this paperwork. 

• Building permits: Local solar permits are specific to where you live; some states require a roof with three feet of clear space surrounding the solar panels, whereas others allow you to install panels across the entire surface of your roof. Your solar company should know the local restrictions and requirements and handle this paperwork.

• Solar loans or leases: If you use a solar loan or a lease, you'll need to work with your installer to complete this paperwork. 

The timing of this step depends on how long it takes your installer to fill out and submit everything. Don't be afraid to follow up with your solar company to check on the progress of your paperwork.

Tip: Have all your documentation ready (proof of homeownership, recent electric bills, photos of your electrical panel) and respond quickly to any requests from your installer.

Weeks 5-7

You’ll likely decide on equipment and costs before you sign a contract. Once you complete the necessary paperwork, your installer can order your equipment.

The two primary components of a solar energy system are the solar panels and the inverters that convert energy from the panels into usable electricity for your home. Your installer will likely recommend a particular brand for each piece, but some people still want to do their own research. 

Consider the following factors when evaluating your options: 

• Price: The average cost of solar is around $29,649 before incentives. 

• Durability: Your solar panel system should withstand your local weather and climate during its 25+ year lifetime.

• Efficiency: The more efficient your equipment is, the more electricity you’ll get from your solar panel system. Higher-efficiency solar panels tend to be more expensive. For reference, the most efficient solar panel on EnergySage has an efficiency rating of 22.8%. You can find a panel’s efficiency rating on its datasheet under “module efficiency”. 

• Warranty: Your solar panels should come with product and performance warranties that last around 25 years. Product warranties cover solar panel damage, and performance warranties guarantee a certain amount of solar production every year. A warranty should also cover your inverter for least 10-12 years. Most solar panel manufacturers post their warranty details on their websites. You can usually find the annual degradation rate (part of the performance warranty) included in a solar panel’s datasheet.

• Aesthetics: If you’re concerned with the look of a solar panel system, consider the design of your options. 

Tip: Ask your installer to confirm equipment availability before signing your contract. Consider being flexible with equipment choices if it means faster delivery. Some installers stock popular equipment, which can significantly reduce lead times.

Week 8

Solar panel installations usually take about one to three days to complete. 

Your specific timeline will depend on your system's size, the complexity of your roof, and whether or not you need to add a power meter for net metering.

Tip: Clear your driveway and remove any obstacles around your home's perimeter before installation day. Ensure easy access to your electrical panel and attic/basement areas. Having a clear workspace allows installers to work more efficiently.

Weeks 9-12

Before you can flip the switch and officially begin your home solar energy generation, your town and your utility need to approve your solar panel system.

A representative from your local government will inspect your solar panel system. They’re there to check your installer’s work and confirm the system meets the local standards and electrical codes. Following this local inspection, your system will be ready to connect to the utility grid.

Next, a representative from your utility company will conduct a final evaluation of the solar panel system. If there are no glaring issues, your panels will go live when they give the okay. It typically takes two weeks to a month for your system to receive approval and officially go live.

Tip: Ask your installer about their relationship with your local utility and whether they can help expedite the interconnection process. Some installers have dedicated utility liaisons who can help move things along.