As the demand for sustainable energy solutions continues to rise, many homeowners are considering the advantages of solar energy. But what's the process of installing solar? For many homeowners, their first question is “How do I buy a solar system?”. Understanding the solar installation process is crucial for making informed decisions and ensuring a smooth transition to solar energy.
In this blog, we will break down each step of the solar installation, guiding you from initial consultation to enjoying the benefits of clean, renewable energy.
While the installation process is mostly the same across the industry, the process we outline below is unique to Springers Solar. As one of Queensland’s most trusted solar installers, we pride ourselves on a thorough consultation, installation, and after-sales process to ensure the best experience at every stage.
Our 100% in-house team follows a strict site inspection before quotation rule to ensure our customers receive a transparent understanding of the process. The process we outline below is considered a benchmark in the solar industry, and one we are proud to uphold.
Reach out to our team of experts today for a free quote.
Research and Plan Your Key Information
Before diving into the solar installation process, it’s helpful to gather some critical information about your home and energy requirements. You can do this while you're deciding if solar is something you want to consider, or after contacting Springers Solar (or another installer) - either way, having this information ready to go will help your initial solar consultation go even smoother.
Some things that you can consider before you liaise with a solar consultant are:
- Where is your property located?
- Is it urban, suburban or rural?
- What type of property is it?
- Is it a house, townhouse, unit or apartment?
- What kind of roof does your home have?
- i.e. Is it a concrete, tin, or tile roof?
- Is there any shading on your roof?
- What is the pitch of the roof like?
- Which direction does your roof face?
- How many phases of energy do you have at your property?
- Single Phase or Three Phase?
- What are your energy needs?
- You can look at your last few electricity bills to help showcase your energy consumption
- Do you want to be self-sufficient or connected to the grid?
- What is your budget for the system?
- Solar systems can vary significantly in price depending on system size, type and complexity, so determining your financial parameters early on helps make the consultation and planning process easier
Of course, some of this information is easier to determine than others, so if you don’t know everything, your solar consultant can help you figure it out.
Read More: Single-Phase VS Three-Phase Solar Systems
A Solar Consultant Will Complete a Thorough Site Inspection
When you first contact us, our administration team will organise a site inspection with one of our solar energy consultants. The site inspection is arguably the most important stage of the process.
A site inspection allows our consultants to accurately design and quote your system, meaning that you receive an accurate price, no hidden costs on the day of installation, and a tailored system suitable to your home’s unique requirements.
Every installation requires variances to some degree, so a site inspection helps our team identify unique factors immediately rather than tacking on extra fees on the installation day (when it’s too late for you to say no). This is a common tactic across the industry, where unknowing customers are given a fixed online price before finding out that variances are required on the day of installation.
Our rule of thumb:
If they don’t offer a site inspection, don’t trust the price.
Site inspections are also a good indicator that we take the job seriously… without completing a site inspection, our installation team could be in the dark on the day of installation or could show up without any of the supplementary components they need.
During this inspection, our energy consultant will sit down with you to discuss your goals for installing a solar system. They will talk you through the key information about your home and discuss possible components that you could use at your property. Utilising this property-specific information, our solar design software generates relevant data to help inform the system design process.
Our energy consultant will also evaluate your home to identify the key characteristics of your property. They will note the position & condition of your roof, the location of your meter box and your desired location for the inverter and battery (if required). They will also identify any potential shading issues from trees or neighbouring buildings that could affect your solar system's performance.
Our commitment to accuracy and detail during this stage allows us to craft a solar solution that is both efficient and tailored to your specific energy needs.
Your System is Professionally Designed and Quoted
Following the site inspection, our energy consultant will optimise the initial system that was designed during the consultation. Our team leverages state-of-the-art software, simulating the projected performance of your solar array, and factoring in critical elements such as geographical location, roof orientation, and panel efficiency.
Our energy consultants work with in-house engineers to ensure the final system is optimal for your property. Customising your solar design ensures that every aspect of your system works cohesively to maximise your efficiency and energy savings.
Following the site inspection, our energy consultant will optimise the initial system that was designed during the consultation. Our team leverages state-of-the-art software, simulating the projected performance of your solar array, and factoring in critical elements such as geographical location, roof orientation, and panel efficiency.
Our energy consultants work with in-house engineers to ensure the final system is optimal for your property.
Customising your solar design ensures that every aspect of your system works cohesively to maximise your efficiency and energy savings.
This optimised system design formulates the comprehensive quote you receive from our team. This quote details the equipment included, associated costs and the forecasted schedule for installation.
Our transparent and thorough quoting process is designed to provide you with a complete understanding of your investment. This clarity allows you to make well-informed decisions without any hidden surprises, ensuring that your journey toward sustainable energy is as smooth and straightforward as possible.
Watch Below: SolarEdge Hybrid Residential System | Bardon
Your System is Installed by Skilled Technicians
Once you are happy with the design and are ready to proceed with the installation, you will pay a deposit and your system installation date will be scheduled.
As mentioned, every solar system is different, so the time it takes for our team to complete the installation varies depending on the complexity of the system. For example, a standard residential solar system usually takes our team of 4-6 one day to complete.
However, if you’re also adding batteries to the system, or your property requires upgrades to your existing electrical components, your installation might take 2-3 days to complete. When you receive your installation date, we will also provide you with an indication of how long the installation should take to complete.
In the lead-up to your installation date, the necessary connection approvals are obtained to ensure your system is ready to be installed.
On the day of installation, one of our in-house installation teams, led by qualified electricians, will arrive at your property to add the chosen components to your home. Our installation teams are comprised of experienced installers who are all SAA approved and have been specifically trained to install the high-quality components we provide for you.
At Springers, we ensure our installation teams are the best of the best, guaranteeing excellent workmanship in every solar system we install. This workmanship is showcased in our various award-winning installations, such as the system we installed on the ATO Headquarters in Brisbane, for which we won the Clean Energy Council’s award for Solar Design & Installation
System Commissioning is Completed and the System is Connected
After all the key components are installed, the team will begin commissioning the system. Our experienced team conducts a series of rigorous tests on your solar panels and related equipment, verifying that all components are operating at peak efficiency. We meticulously monitor system performance and make precise adjustments as needed to optimize energy output.
At the completion of the installation, our installation team will walk you through the ins and outs of your system and will step you through the relevant monitoring platform/portal for your components. Our technician will also provide you with the key information you need to know as a solar system owner.
This information will also be collated into a handover document, which you will receive from our team following the completion and sign-off of your system.
Now you can enjoy your newly installed solar system and begin to reap the benefits of controlling your energy independence.
Read More: Pros and Cons of Solar Energy in 2024
Springers Solar | Queensland's Most Experienced Solar Installer
Springers Solar provides quality components with proven performance, backed by industry-leading warranties, and dedicated after-sales support. Thousands of satisfied customers over more than 22 years of operation make Springers Solar one of the most established and experienced solar companies in Australia.
Springers Solar has received multiple awards for design and installation and is a certified/preferred installer for a large range of solar panel, inverter, and solar battery manufacturers, including Tesla, Canadian Solar, and SolarEdge.
Our dedicated in-house team of electrical engineers, project managers, solar PV designers, solar installers and electricians work closely with you before, during, and long after your project is completed. Springer Solar offers an industry-leading 10-year workmanship warranty which is a testament to our qualified staff and offers you outstanding value and peace of mind.
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I'm thinking of having a solar system installed... What's the process?