Want solar running by next summer? Here’s why planning now gets you ready for peak sun season, plus what a typical install timeline looks like.
Here’s something most homeowners find out too late: the best time to go solar isn’t summer. It’s right now.
Every spring, the same thing happens. The days get longer, electric bills start climbing, and suddenly everyone wants solar yesterday. But by the time a system is designed, permitted and approved, a big chunk of that sunny season has already slipped by.
Start planning this winter, and your system could be up and running by spring, ready for the longest, sunniest days of the year. Here’s how it works.
Solar takes more than installation day
The install itself usually takes just two to three days. The steps around it take longer. Here’s what a typical project looks like:
- Consultation (within 1 week). We examine your energy use and your system goals.
- Site review (within 1 week). We review your home’s electrical system and roof.
- System design (2 to 4 weeks). We design a system sized for your home and walk you through the numbers.
- Permitting (3 to 6 weeks). Your city or county reviews and approves the plans. Timing varies significantly by jurisdiction.
- Installation (2 to 3 days for most homes).
- Inspection approval (1 to 2 weeks). The local inspector signs off.
- Utility approval (2 to 3 weeks). Your utility approves the system and issues Permission to Operate.
- Final check-in (2 to 3 months after power-on). Once your system has been up and running, we check in to answer any final questions and review system performance.
All in, most projects take about 12 to 17 weeks from first call to flipping the switch.
Note: All timeframes are estimates and subject to change.
Why winter planning pays off
Planning ahead isn’t just about beating the rush. It sets you up to get more out of your system from day one.
- You’re ready for peak sun. Start in November or December, and your system can be up and running by spring, before the longest, sunniest days of the year. That means a full summer of production in your first year, not just part of one.
- More scheduling flexibility. Spring and summer are our busiest seasons. Booking early gives you more choice of install dates and a smoother, less rushed process.
- Time to make good decisions. No rush means time to compare options, ask questions and plan for things like battery storage, a heat pump or a future EV, so your system fits where your home is headed.
- Start saving sooner. Every month your system is running is a month you’re powering your home with your own solar energy instead of buying it from the utility.
Plan for a battery from the start
One of the biggest decisions you’ll make is whether to add a home battery, and it’s much easier to plan for it now than to add it later.
Under NEM 3.0, sending extra solar power to the grid earns much less than it used to, so most homeowners get the most value by storing their solar energy and using it in the evening. A battery also keeps your essentials running during outages.
Winter gives you time to talk it through with us, look at the numbers and design your system with storage in mind from day one.
How to get ready for your consultation
A little prep goes a long way. Before we meet, it helps to:
- Pull your last 12 months of electric bills (most utilities show these online).
- Think about big changes coming, like an EV, a heat pump, a pool or a home addition.
- Note your roof’s age and any repairs you’ve been putting off.
- Jot down your questions, from battery backup to payment options.
Don’t have everything? No problem. We’ll walk you through it.
Let’s get you ready for spring
Book a free consultation at allterrasolar.com or call us at 831.425.2608. We’ll take a look at your home, answer your questions and map out a timeline that gets you producing power by peak season.
