Installation
What to Expect During Your Solar Installation
From first phone call to flipping the switch. Here is every step, with realistic timelines.
Eric Huggins
•
September 5, 2025
•
7 min read
Step 1
Initial Consultation and Site Assessment
Everything starts with a conversation. We want to understand your electricity usage, your goals and your budget. There is no script. We ask questions, listen and figure out if solar makes sense for your home.
Next comes the site assessment. We look at your property to evaluate several factors:
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1.
Roof age and condition. If your roof needs replacement in the next 5-10 years, we will tell you. It is better to reroof first than to remove panels later.
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2.
Roof orientation and pitch. South-facing roofs produce the most in Oklahoma. East and west work well too. North-facing sections are usually not ideal.
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3.
Shading. Trees, chimneys, neighboring structures. Shade on even one panel can reduce output for an entire string. We map shade patterns throughout the day.
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4.
Electrical panel capacity. Homes with a main panel below 125 amps typically need an upgrade. There is not enough space for the additional loads. We check this early so there are no surprises.
This step typically takes one visit and a few days to analyze the data. If solar does not make sense for your home, we will tell you that too.
Step 2
System Design and Proposal
Once we confirm your home is a good fit, we design a system specific to your roof and usage. This is not a one-size-fits-all template. Every home gets a custom layout.
The design process covers three things:
Panel placement. We determine exactly which roof sections get panels and how many fit. The layout is based on your roof geometry, shading analysis and the amount of electricity you need to offset.
Equipment selection. We select panels, inverters and mounting hardware based on your roof type and project goals. If you want battery storage, we design that into the system from the start rather than retrofitting later.
Pricing and savings estimate. You get a clear proposal with the total cost, projected annual production and estimated savings over time. We show you the math. No hidden fees, no vague estimates.
This step usually takes about a week. You review the proposal, ask questions and decide if you want to move forward. There is no pressure and no expiring discounts.
Step 3
Permitting and Paperwork
This is the step most homeowners do not think about. Before a single panel touches your roof, we need approvals from your city and your utility company. We handle all of it.
City building permit. Solar installations require a building permit in most Oklahoma municipalities. We prepare the engineering documents, submit the application and manage the process. Permit timelines vary by city, typically 1-3 weeks.
Utility interconnection application. We submit an interconnection request to OG&E or PSO (depending on your area). This tells the utility that a solar system is being installed and requests approval for net metering. The utility reviews the application and confirms your meter setup.
HOA approval. If your home is in an HOA community, we help you submit the required documentation. Oklahoma law (the Solar Access Act) protects your right to install solar, but most HOAs still require architectural review. We provide the drawings and specifications your HOA needs.
The permitting phase is the longest wait in the process. It can take 2-6 weeks depending on your jurisdiction and utility. We keep you updated throughout and schedule installation as soon as all approvals are in hand.
Step 4
Installation Day
This is the part people look forward to. The crew arrives, usually between 7:30 and 8:00 AM. Most residential installations take 1-3 days depending on system size and roof complexity.
Here is what happens on a typical install day:
Morning: Mounting and Racking
The crew installs the racking system first. This means attaching mounting brackets to your roof rafters and laying out the rail system that holds the panels. Every penetration point gets waterproof flashing.
Midday: Panel Installation
Panels go up on the racking. Each panel is secured, wired and connected to its neighbors. The crew works section by section across the roof.
Afternoon: Electrical Work
The inverter is mounted (usually near your electrical panel), conduit is run from the roof to the inverter and everything is wired into your home's electrical system. If you are adding a battery, that gets installed and connected during this phase.
You do not need to be home for the entire installation, but we recommend being available at the start and end of the day. Your power may be off briefly (usually 30-60 minutes) while we make the final electrical connections.
When the crew leaves, your system is physically complete. But it is not turned on yet. That happens after inspection.
Step 5
Inspection and Activation
After installation, two things need to happen before your system goes live.
City inspection. A building inspector visits your home to verify the installation meets local code. We schedule this as soon as possible after the install is complete. The inspector checks wiring, grounding, structural attachment and labeling. This visit usually takes 30-60 minutes.
Utility meter swap and approval. Once the city signs off, the utility (OG&E or PSO) installs a bidirectional meter that tracks electricity flowing in both directions. This is what makes net metering work. Excess energy you send to the grid earns bill credits at a blended rate (not the full retail rate). The utility sends written permission to operate, which is your green light to turn the system on.
The time between installation and activation is typically 1-3 weeks. It depends on how quickly the city schedules the inspection and how fast the utility processes the meter swap.
Once you have permission to operate, we activate your system and walk you through the monitoring app. You will be able to see exactly how much electricity your panels are producing in real time, from your phone.
Full Timeline Summary
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