Energy Experts: Solar Panel Installation Process

YUMA, Arizona (KYMA, KECY) – Renewable Power USA CEO Jimmy Esparza joined us in studio this week to talk about how solar panels work.

We asked him what the installation process was like.

“If someone wants solar panels, the process is a consultation. Yeah. And you have someone who walks you through the process and shows you how what you have now compares to going solar. And then once that happens, we take care of the whole process, just like it’s seamless, hands-off for the customer, like they don’t have to, you know, send their wife or go by themselves to, you know, get a permit or equipment or anything like that. We take care of all that for the customers at the end and once they get the permit, you know, we call the customer and then, you know, once they call, we give them the information and all they need is access to the driveway and access to the main panel. So the main panel is where you’ll see all the black breakers and the main breakers and all that good stuff, you know, so we can get all that up and ready for installation. And of course, we need access to the roof, right? So that’s where we usually install solar and solar panels and that’s where, you know, we need access and, and we get everything ready. We give all that information to the customers as well,” Esparza says.

Are solar panels only mounted on roofs?

“I mean, we could do that, we could do that for example, let’s say 80% of our projects are on the roof, and then we have that other 20% that the customer is asking for, you know, they’re asking for an in-ground or ground mount, or you know, they want to add a patio. So we could also put it on the patio. So those are the alternatives. But the most common, the most popular, the most cost-effective is going to be on the homeowners’ roof.”

How long does installation typically take?

“So it’s an average job to install. I would say it’s an 8 to 10 hour job. You know, I would say it’s an average job. It could be a little faster and it could delay it a little bit. It all depends on the design. But if we put it in, balance it out and I think it’s an 8 to 10 hour job to get it done. So it’s not like, you know, a week of work or two weeks, you know, to get the process started. So the guys come in, we have the equipment, everything customized for the customer, and then we install everything and continue the process now and just get it all done in a day.”

What preparations are required for the homeowner?

“I think they need to prepare for a reduction in their bills, that’s for sure. But you know, I think it’s just, you know, just time, you know, just to realize that, you know, this is like construction. So we’re out there, we’re out there, you know, upgrading the main panel. So they’re going to have maybe, you know, 30 to 25 minutes without power. So we’ll let them know, you know, so they’re prepared for that. Maybe we’ll start the installation whenever I’m working, you know, if it’s in the summer. And then we’ll unplug and plug it right back in. So that’s one of the, you know, things that we advise the customer about and let them know to be prepared for that as well,” Esparza says.

Watch Energy Experts every Wednesday at 6pm on 13 on Your Side.