Your Solar Journey — Step by Step
Going solar with GreenLights is simple. We handle everything from consultation to activation, so you can focus on watching your electricity bill drop.
Solar Installation Process Steps
Free Consultation
Call us, fill out our online form, or chat with our team. A certified solar consultant will contact you to discuss your energy goals, review your electricity bill, and answer all your questions — completely free, no obligation.
- Review of your electricity bills
- Explain available solar options
- Preliminary savings estimate
- Answer all your questions
Site Inspection
Our team visits your property to assess your roof structure, sun exposure, shading, electrical panel, and utility meter. This data powers your custom system design.
- Roof structural assessment
- Solar access & shading analysis
- Electrical panel inspection
- Utility meter review
Custom System Design
Our engineers design a solar system optimized for your specific roof, energy usage, and budget. You'll receive a detailed proposal showing panel placement, system output, savings projections, and financing options.
- Custom panel layout design
- 25-year energy production forecast
- Detailed savings & ROI analysis
- Multiple financing options presented
Permits & HOA Approval
This is where most solar companies leave you on your own — not us. We handle ALL permitting, utility paperwork, and HOA approval submissions. You don't have to make a single phone call.
- Building permit applications
- Utility interconnection agreement
- HOA approval documentation
- Electrical inspection scheduling
Solar Installation Day
Our NABCEP-certified installation crew arrives with all equipment. We install your panels, inverter, and monitoring system with minimal disruption to your daily life. Most residential installations are completed in a single day.
- NABCEP-certified installation crew
- Complete roof penetration sealing
- Inverter & monitoring system install
- Property cleanup after installation
Inspection & Activation
After a final city inspection and utility approval, we flip the switch and your solar system goes live. We walk you through your monitoring app so you can watch your panels produce clean energy in real time.
- City/county final inspection
- Utility Permission to Operate (PTO)
- Monitoring app setup & walkthrough
- Welcome to energy independence!
Frequently Asked Questions
The entire process from first consultation to activation typically takes 6–8 weeks. The actual installation day is usually just 1–2 days. Most of the timeline is permit processing and utility interconnection approval.
Most roofs are suitable for solar. We assess roof condition, angle, and shading during our free site inspection. South-facing roofs with minimal shading are ideal, but our team can optimize systems for east/west-facing roofs too.
We ask that an adult be present at the start of installation for property access. Once the crew is set up, you can go about your normal day. We'll notify you when we're done.
Your system is backed by our 25-year workmanship warranty plus manufacturer warranties on panels and inverters. If anything goes wrong, call us and we'll handle it — typically within 48 hours.
Most homeowners insurance policies cover solar panels under your existing policy, though some require a coverage update. We recommend notifying your insurer before installation — it usually increases your home's insured value.
Standard grid-tied solar systems automatically shut off during outages (for safety). If you want backup power, we recommend adding a solar battery storage system, which allows your home to run off stored solar energy.
Ready to Start Step 1?
Get your free consultation today and we'll walk you through the entire process for your specific home.
Get Free Consultation