What should a homeowner confirm before solar installation day?
Most install-day advice focuses on the panels and roof work. The questions that seem just as important are much more practical: who needs access, what happens if the crew finds a problem, and what should be completed before everyone leaves?
Here is the checklist I would use before a residential solar installation.
Before the crew arrives
- Confirm the arrival window and the name or role of the person leading the crew.
- Ask whether anyone will need access to the attic, garage, electrical panel, side yard, gates, or interior rooms.
- Move vehicles and outdoor items away from the work area, secure pets, and make sure gates and access paths are clear.
- Review the final equipment locations, especially the inverter, battery, disconnects, and visible conduit.
Questions for the start-of-day walkthrough
- What work is expected to be completed today?
- Where will equipment and materials be staged?
- How will the crew handle an unexpected roof, attic, or electrical issue?
- Who will explain any proposed change before work continues?
- What time should the homeowner expect the workday to end?
Before the crew leaves
Ask for a walkthrough of the installed equipment and any areas that were accessed.
Confirm that the work area has been cleaned and that gates, doors, and attic access points are secure.
Ask whether photos or installation records will be available.
Confirm the next step, which may be an inspection, correction, utility review, or permission to operate.
A finished installation does not always mean the system can be turned on immediately. Local inspection and utility approval may still be required, so the final conversation should include both the physical work and the remaining administrative steps.
For people who have already gone through an installation, what did you wish you had asked before the crew arrived? Did anything small make the day easier or prevent a later problem?
Disclosure: I work on solar-related content. I am not describing my own installation or reviewing a crew.