Step-by-Step Breakdown of a Commercial Solar Project
You might be wondering “What the process is to get a commercial solar system?” From pre-design to permission-to-operate, there are many stages to go over, and we are here to explain what this client’s journey looks like.
After a contract is signed with SolarTech, it takes approximately 7-10 months to complete the project; dependent on factors such as installation type, jurisdiction (AHJ), and weather. The bulk of the timeline usually falls in the permitting process after plans are already submitted to the AHJ.
We will also dive into the pre-contract stages that SolarTech conducts to ensure an effective installation:
- Preliminary Design and Proposal
- Site Visit
- Final Design and Determine Financing
- Plan Submittal and Approved Permit
- Interconnection Agreement
- System Installation
- Permission-to-Operate
- Preliminary Design and Proposal
1 to 3 Days
After getting in touch with SolarTech, a solar expert will reach out to you by phone or email as a point of contact. Our team of experts will have a conversation to learn more about the property and business to answer any questions from tax incentives to financing. After communicating, our team needs to receive your consumption data to move forward with a preliminary proposal. The proposal usually takes 1-3 business days.
- Site Visit
1 Day
Once the preliminary proposal is reviewed, the next step is for our team to conduct a site visit. Our thorough inspections of the electrical system, roof conditions, roof space, and property allow our team to provide the most cost-effective solution for you in the long term. This takes just a few hours.
- Financial Design and Determine Financing
3 to 7 Days
Based on the site visit inspections, our team designs the optimal renewable energy solution for your property. Whether it is a roof mount, ground mount, carport, or battery storage, we present the best solution to cater to a potential customer’s priorities. We also determine if a roof replacement or other changes are necessary for the installation. Pricing is finalized after knowing the materials needed.
Our experts also provide multiple methods to fund a commercial solar investment. We work with trusted financing partners to best suit your needs. Method of financing, design, and contract terms are then presented.
- Plan Submittal and Approved Permit
4 to 6 months
After a contract is signed, the next step for our team is to compile the plan set. The plan set for a commercial solar project consists of electrical engineering, structural engineering, and system design. This is one of the most time-consuming aspects of the timeline which takes about 4-6 weeks, then we submit it to the AHJ.
The plans are then with the AHJ for review. At SolarTech, we only submit plans under the expedited option. With the volume of solar applications at all-time highs, our projects go to the top of the pile and our team is in constant contact with the AHJ to get them moving. Dependent on the AHJ, plans can be returned and permitted anywhere from 3-5 months.
- Interconnection Agreement
TBD Timeframe
Our team develops the interconnection agreement with the local utility company once plans are approved. The application includes design documentation, information on how we are interconnecting the system, and allocation of solar credits to meters on the property. An interconnection agreement ultimately receives approval once the final inspection occurs post-installation.
- System Installation
2 to 6 Weeks
Our team develops the interconnection agreement with the local utility company once plans are approved. The application includes design documentation, information on how we are interconnecting the system, and allocation of solar credits to meters on the property. An interconnection agreement ultimately receives approval once the final inspection occurs post-installation.
- Permission-to-Operate (PTO)
TBD Timeframe
As construction is nearing completion, our team reaches out to the AHJ and local utility to get inspections scheduled. We build solid working relationships with these parties and are in constant contact with them throughout the installation process. Unfortunately, inspectors have their schedules and SolarTech can only control its own timelines. After receiving final approvals, your commercial solar system will be operational in 2-3 weeks.
If you made it this far, you just went through SolarTech’s step-by-step process for a commercial solar project. Our mission is to provide the tailor-made optimal renewable energy solution for your property and control what we can control for expedited timelines.
Every solar contractor has their methods of operation, but the summary will be similar. We advise anyone interested in a commercial solar system to ask contractors for as many details as possible on this step-by-step process.