Solar Services

DIY Solar Power is committed to providing the resources needed to manage your solar project. In addition to supplying top-tiered, well-regarded products in our DIY Kits, we can help you navigate through the world of Site Surveys, Design and Engineering, Permits, and Utility Interconnection.

Site Survey

The physical condition of your home plays an important role in determining where you should place your panels. Our site survey service consists of a preliminary inspection of the following:

Roof: including full measurements, condition, available space, vent locations, possible obstructions, skylights, and determination of the orientation of your system
Electric service panel suitability and needed clearances per code
Location option for system components including AC Disconnect and J-Box
Shading analysis report to determine the ideal solar system location

Ultimately, the purpose of the site survey is to give you a better understanding of just how much you will be saving, given the equipment location and shading obstructions present at your property.

Design & Engineering

If you are unsure about how to accurately design your solar system, one of our trusted and experienced design engineers can undertake this task. Upon completion of the site survey, a design engineer will share the findings with you and use this information to design the most optimal system for your unique roof and surroundings. Design and engineering consist of the following services:

Confirm existing electrical service equipment to determine the most cost-effective PV system interconnection
Contact your local Authority Housing Jurisdiction (AHJ) to find and include any additional solar regulations (including electrical, fire, and building code standards)
Prepare a complete system planset (including electrical and building plans) after confirming the equipment approval and compatibility
Include any necessary electrical calculations and electrical engineering, as required by your AHJ

Once your PV planset has been finalized, you will be ready to submit the permits to your local AHJ to receive approval and begin your DIY solar installation.

Permitting

Every solar system requires an approved permit from a local utility jurisdiction. Depending on your service area, additional permits and/or documentation may be necessary to submit. The lack of uniform standardization from city to city and county to county can make this entire process tedious and stressful, even for experienced installers. That’s why DIY Solar Power offers BOTH design and engineering, as well as full permitting services, so that you don’t have to worry about all the stressful paperwork. Our designs comply with city codes, NEC regulations, and are tailored to meet your AHJ’s specific requirements. Additionally, we are here to help with further updates of your submitted plans if the need arises. Our permitting service includes the submission of the following:

Plot Plan - Site
Single Line Drawing
Ampacity & voltage calculations and solar breaker size
Module data sheet
Inverter data sheet
Full Submittal Package
Task items that may be included with your design drawing and documentation support:

2D Space Layout Drawings
Line Schematic Drawings
Site Installation Drawings
Roof / Ground Mounting Layout and Detail
Ampacity & Voltage Calculations

- Structural Engineering may warrant additional costs IF required by your AHJ -

Upon receiving your stamped and approved planset from your local AHJ, you will be approved to begin your solar installation!

Interconnection

Even though you have now successfully completed your installation and passed your final inspection with your AHJ, you’re still not ready to turn on your solar system. In order to receive Permission to Turn On (PTO) your installed, approved, and signed-off system, you must also receive approval from your utility company. Your utility company must receive interconnection paperwork, forms, and documents correctly and on time or your successfully installed solar system won’t have the green light to be turned on, or interconnected to their electrical grid.

Interconnection submissions can be extremely time consuming and can greatly delay the time it takes to install your system because the number of solar system submissions far outweigh the number of utility company employees there are to process and review these submissions. Luckily for you, our interconnection services are all-inclusive. We take care of appeasing and satisfying your utility company’s requirements and demands. In short, this final step before your system can turn on is absolutely necessary for you to start saving money and making a return on your investment.

Rebates

You don’t want to miss out on any potential savings! Certain cities and utility companies offer rebates for solar and related installations that are successfully permitted, installed, and interconnected. Be sure to ask one of our DIY Solar Power experts if you qualify for a utility or government rebate in your area.

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