Solar Installation Day: What Happens, Step by Step

Most people researching solar read about subsidies and payback long before anyone explains what actually happens on installation day. Here is the sequence, in the order it happens.

Before the team arrives: the site survey

Installation doesn’t start cold. A site survey checks which way the roof faces, the shade across the day, whether the roof is strong enough for the mounting structure, and the cable route to your meter box. This is also when your sanctioned load, and any need for load enhancement, is checked against the actual connection as well as the bill.

Mounting the structure

The mounting structure, meaning the rails and clamps that hold the panels at the right angle, goes up first. It is fixed to the roof so that it stays weatherproof and is rated for wind load. Roof type matters most at this stage: a flat concrete roof, a sloped tin roof and a shed roof each need a different mounting approach.

Panels, wiring and the inverter

The panels are fixed to the structure, wired in series or parallel strings according to the system design, and connected to the inverter. The DC wiring from the panels and the AC wiring from the inverter to your distribution board are run and properly earthed. Earthing is a safety requirement, so it is never skipped.

ACDB, DCDB and protection devices

The AC and DC distribution boxes hold the protective devices (fuses, surge protection and isolators) that keep the system safe to run and safe to service later. It is unglamorous but important work. A system without proper protection devices can seem fine on day one and cause problems years later.

The net meter and PSPCL’s role

For an on-grid or hybrid system, PSPCL fits the bi-directional net meter and inspects the installation before it can legally export power. The timing depends on PSPCL’s schedule, so it is outside our control, but we file the paperwork and coordinate it as part of the job, so you don’t have to chase it.

Commissioning

Once the net meter is fitted and inspected, the portal issues a commissioning certificate, and that is also what moves the PM Surya Ghar subsidy process forward. Our subsidy guide covers what happens next with the bank transfer.

What we ask you to have ready

Clear access to the roof, someone available to let the installation team in, and your electricity bill and connection details to hand. We manage the rest of the sequence above.