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Solar installation, explained

Know how solar gets installed - before you book anyone.

Plain-English, independent guides to the whole installation process: what happens step by step, permits and inspections, how panels mount to your roof, and how to hire (and vet) an installer. No sales pitch.

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Roof load & panel-fit calculator

Pick a popular panel and your available roof area to estimate the added roof load, how many panels fit, and the system size. A rough planning estimate - a structural engineer confirms the real number at permitting.

-Added roof load
-Panels that fit
-System size
-Total array weight

How to read it: US roofs are typically built to carry a20 psf roof live load (per the IRC / ASCE 7) plus dead load. Solar adds only ~2.5-3 psf, so most sound, code-built roofs need no reinforcement - a conservative screen keeps added load under ~5 psf. This is an estimate only; a licensed structural engineer verifies your roof during permitting. More: how much weight your roof can hold.

Topics

01Installation Process→02Permits & Interconnection→03Roof & Mounting→04Hiring & Cost→05Electrical & Safety→

Guides View all

Installation ProcessCan You Install Solar Yourself? (DIY Solar, Honestly)DIY solar is possible and can save money - but it's genuinely hard. Here's what's involved, the real risks, and why you can always call a pro to pick up where you got stuck.Hiring & CostDo You Need a License to Install Solar Panels?Pros almost always need an electrical or solar contractor license. Homeowners can often DIY on their own home with a permit - but rules vary. Here's how it works.Installation ProcessHow Long Does Solar Installation Take?The panels go up in 1-3 days, but the full process usually takes 1-3 months. Here's a realistic timeline for each step and what causes the delays.Roof & MountingHow Many Solar Panels Do I Need? (With Real Examples)Size a system from your electricity use, then check it fits your roof. Includes worked examples for small, average, and large homes - in panels, kW, and square feet.Hiring & CostHow Much Does Solar Installation Cost?Solar installation runs about $2.50-$3.50 per watt - roughly $15,000-$25,000 for a typical home - and labor, permits, and overhead are a big share. Here's the breakdown.Roof & MountingHow Much Weight Can Your Roof Hold? (Solar Panel Load Explained)Solar panels add about 3 lbs per square foot. Most code-built roofs handle that without reinforcement - but here's how roof load works and when an engineer is needed.

Latest articles View all

Permits & InterconnectionStates Are Automating Rooftop Solar Permits in 2026Virginia's new statewide instant-permit law is the latest sign that automated solar permitting is going mainstream in 2026. What it means for your install.Permits & InterconnectionWhy Solar Interconnection (PTO) Is Taking Longer in 2026Your panels can sit finished for weeks waiting on utility Permission to Operate. Here's why interconnection queues are slow in 2026 and how to avoid extra delay.Hiring & CostWhat Happens to Your Solar Install if the Installer Goes Bankrupt?After SunPower and Freedom Forever failed, this is a real worry. Your panels keep working and manufacturer warranties hold - but the installer's workmanship warranty can vanish.Permits & InterconnectionInstant Solar Permitting (SolarAPP+) Is Spreading in 2026More jurisdictions now use SolarAPP+ to approve residential solar permits automatically - sometimes same-day. Here's what it is and how it speeds up your install.