The Solar Installation Process

See the process for going solar, how long it takes, what to expect and more!

1. Research / Deciding Why You Want Solar

Intro

Before you get started I want to let you know theInstallation process should not take more than 1 to 3 hours of your time. After the first appointment, there are only a few short things we need from you! I will handle everything else for you!

Research Why You Want To Go Solar.

The first thing in the process of going solar for most homeowners is doing a little research and deciding why they would look into the idea of going solar. It could be saving money, helping the planet by reducing carbon emissions, not wanting to rely on utility providers, and/or many other reasons. It's good to know your why for going solar and doing a little research is always good to. I have built this site to make that easy for you! WHen you know your why its time for stage 2

2. Schedule your Free Solar Consultation/What to Expect.

Contact Me To Schedule Appointment

Now we are ready to schedule an appointment and learn more, get any questions answered by a professional solar expert, and see what you can save in the comfort of your own home or if you prefer video calls I can do that as well, just ask! To schedule your appointment you can click here or you can give me a call or text at 651-234-9047

What to expect at an appointment and what you should have ready?

Consultation Intro

We will first start off with figuring out your electric usage. To do this we will give your utility provider a call and ask them for your electric usage for the last 12. Once we get that I can upload it to our team and we should have everything we need in about 10 minutes. During that time, I'll inform you of your home's efficiency for solar, let you know if your home qualifies for solar or not and show you the best places solar panels should be placed on your home. I will answer any questions you have and I'll also explain the benefits of going solar for your home and maybe share a few jokes. Once we receive the proposal, I will explain everything you need to know, including your offset(how much power you can produce vs how much you use each year) your financing options, your potential savings, and more. After that we will be ready to move on.

Consultation Outro

After you have seen the proposal I will ask if you would like to schedule a site survey. Scheduling a site survey does require signing some documents and if your financing the system a soft credit check that does not hurt your credit in any way as well.
Anything we do this day does not mean you are agreeing to go solar. if for any reason at all you don't want to move forward just let me know and I can cancel and there will be no charge to you before or after the site survey.

Once we are done with that we can schedule your site survey. I can usually get the site survey scheduled within 4 days of the appointment or later if you prefer but no more than 2 weeks and will schedule a time that works best for you. After that, I will just want to schedule another appointment with you for me to come back and go over the final design and ask if you want to move forward.

Time Needed for Appointment - 30 to 90 minutes.
To shorten appointment time - Provide electric usage before the appointment. Learn More
Documents needed to move forward - Homeowners insurance declaration page and copy of your electric bill.
Please try and have all homeowners who are involved in any decisions for the home present at the appointment. This way I'm able to explain everything and answer everyone's questions.

If you do not want to sign anything first day that is perfectly fine and I understand. The main reason to sign first day is to be eligible to receive any promotions or discounts that we can offer. After I leave our first appointment I will not be able to offer any promotions. The main reason we do this is that we need papers signed to have the site survey done, start on your final design, and start permits which take up to 1.5 months.

Information For Appointment

Promotion Policy

3.Think About it / Site Survey

Think About It

After our initial appointment, This is a great time for all homeowners to sit down with each other and discuss if solar is the correct step for you and discuss it. most families decide by the time of our final design appointment.

During this time we will be sending one of our professional solar site surveyors to your home on the day and time that we scheduled together. They will need an hour to 2.5 hours to complete the survey. If your home is older it usually takes closer to 2-2.5hr range.

To enter your home someone over the age of 18 will need to be in the home and be able to allow him/her inside and direct them to the attic space and main fuse box.

The surveyor is going to take many pictures of your roof and attic and take measurements so the engineer can determine if your home is safe and build your solar array! If any changes are made I will discuss them with you before your final decision at our final design appointment.

The next step is our final design appointment.

Site Survey

4. Finale Design Appointment/Permitting

Final Design Appointment

This appointment isn't always necessary but I provide it to customers for another chance to speak with me in person before we make any final decisions and if you have any more documents to enter in. You can also send it via email.

The only time this appointment is required is when there are some big changes that we have to make due to, pre-existing roof damage found or having to make a big change in your system. 9 times out of 10 there are no changes.

At this time I will ask if you want to move forward. If you do I will have you sign any remaining documents and collect any remaining documents needed.

Permitting

After you give me the go-ahead and have everything signed and docs entered, I will have my team get started on your permits and ordering your product.

This time can take usually no shorter than 2 weeks but usually no more than 1.5 months. We are getting your permits approved and this period depends on how fast your city can get us the permits. once we acquire the permits we will be able to schedule within usually 1 to 2 weeks.

5. Time for Installation!

When it comes to your installation day your product will normally be delivered early in the morning by our distributor and shortly after our installation team will arrive to get started on your system. we never subcontract any work and have our own install crews. this can be very rare for solar companies. The installation crew will show up partly in blue raven vehicles and 1 or 2 will show up in their vehicles. the team usually consists of 3 - 5 highly trained technicians and electrician. All crew will be wearing safety harnesses when needed for our team to be safe. They will also be careful to not cause any damage to our customer's homes.

We are on the home stretch now!

6. Inspections and Net Meter Install

Now that the solar panels have been placed on the roof and wiring ran throughout the house, city inspectors and the local utility company will be Inspecting the system. This usually takes around 2 weeks for them to come out and inspect. The last thing that needs to be done is getting your new meter installed and having the local utility company inspect the system as well. This usually takes an additional 2 weeks.

If Xcel is your electric provider please continue reading.

Unfortunately, Xcel customers are going to have an additional wait time on this part due to the new Xcel Energy policy since last May (2023). Xcel Energy is requiring that a witness test be completed before the system can be turned on. This means that an Xcel employee and a Blue Raven Solar Employee must meet on a scheduled date to complete the inspection. Xcel is only allowing 4 per day. This is causing this step to take around 1 to 2 months right now.

This is going to be the same for any solar company you work.

I apologize for the inconvenience while we work with Xcel on improving this.

7. Its time to get energized!

Now that the inspections have all passed we are ready to go, Your panels will now be turned on and start producing electricity. To monitor a system’s production, all Blue Raven Solar customers are given access to the Enlighten app by Enphase, which provides them with several statistics on their solar panel production. If your panels are not performing as expected from your proposal, we offer a 2-year production guarantee. We also offer a 10-year workmanship warranty.