Energy Impact

Big impact

Cost

Investment time: Long-term

The process of getting solar panels for your home typically involves the following steps:

1. Contact a local solar panel installer to discuss your options and get a quote for the cost of the system. (~1 week)
2. Choose the right solar panel system for your home, taking into consideration factors such as the size of your roof, the amount of sunlight your home receives, and your energy needs. (~1 week)
3. Work with the solar panel company to complete any necessary paperwork and obtain any permits required by your local building and zoning department. (~2 weeks)
4. Have the solar panel system installed by a professional team. They'll help you clean your area of debris, take care of installing and connecting the panels, and make sure the system is properly grounded and connected to your power grid. (~2 days, depending on system's size)
5. Once the solar panels are installed, they will begin generating electricity for your home. You may need to work with your local utility company to set up a system for purchasing any excess electricity that your panels generate.
6. Monitoring the system is an ongoing project. Most solar systems will come with a monitoring device that'll help you track their efficiency and energy production.

Overall, the process of getting solar panels for your home can take several weeks or months from start to finish. However, the long-term benefits of having a solar panel system, such as reduced electricity costs and a lower carbon footprint, can make the process well worth it.

A popular provider:

Monthly lease with no upfront cost

Sunrun

Sunrun makes it easy to install solar panels on your house and start saving on your electrical bills. Even better, you can switch to Sunrun with $0 down.

Installing solar panels on your roof might sound like a hassle, but Sunrun makes it super easy—it takes only a few weeks and a handful of visits from their team to start saving money thanks to their solar panels!

Install rooftop solar with Sunrun

Common financing options

There are several ways you can finance solar panels for your home, including:

1. Paying for the panels outright with cash or a loan.
2. Leasing the panels from a solar panel company, which will typically include maintenance and repair services. (This is how Sunrun works)
3. Participating in a power purchase agreement (PPA), which allows you to purchase the electricity generated by the panels at a fixed rate.
4. Taking advantage of government incentives and rebates, such as the federal solar tax credit, which allows you to claim a credit on your federal taxes for a portion of the cost of the solar panel system.

Each of these financing options has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it's important to consider your financial situation and priorities when deciding which one is right for you. A solar panel installer or company can provide you with more information and help you choose the best financing option.