How to go solar: A step-by-step guide for homeowners

If the sun shines on your roof or property, a solar installation could help lower your ongoing energy costs and carbon footprint. Of the 5 million solar installations across the U.S. today, approximately 97% are residential, with systems up and running in all 50 states.

If you would like to join the millions of homeowners reducing their utility bills and greenhouse gas emissions every year, here are the four steps you can take to find the optimal solar installation for your home.

Step 1: Assessing your energy needs before you go solar

Before meeting with potential solar installers, it’s best to assess your energy needs and gain a full understanding of home solar benefits. Most importantly, an in-home solar installation offers an alternative to grid-supplied electricity and savings on monthly energy bills.

Knowing this, you can assess your energy needs, and solar savings potential, by reviewing your electricity bills and monthly kilowatt-hour (kWh) consumption. For new construction homes, it may be possible to estimate your property's expected electrical loads based on its square footage or included appliances.

When you go solar, it’s also important to consider how your energy habits may change in the future. For example, your electricity consumption could increase after purchasing a new EV that you charge at home or electrifying gas-powered appliances like your oven, water heater, or HVAC system. If you find that your home’s energy demand increases after going solar, Enphase IQ Microinverters make it easy to integrate additional electricity generation capacity with independent, panel-by-panel operation.

Step 2: Solar panel rooftop and site self-assessment

Once you’ve determined your energy demand and potential savings, it’s time to evaluate if your property is suitable for a solar installation. There are many factors that influence solar panel rooftop potential, and if your roof is not suitable for solar, you may be able to install a ground-mounted energy system, a solar carport, or another solution elsewhere on your property.

If you’re unsure whether your property is suitable for a solar installation, there are many tools that you can use to help evaluate your home’s rooftop solar potential and estimate approximate energy bill savings. For example, you can explore how much you might save when you go solar with an Enphase Energy System in a few quick steps.

Step 3: Residential solar energy system design  

When it’s time to design the exact details of your solar installation, it’s strongly recommended to leave this step to the professionals. Together with your installer, you can make the following design decisions to optimize a solar power system for your home and energy goals.

• Panel quantity and placement: The precise solar panel quantity you need to install depends on your desired annual energy production. Most residential solar energy systems are sized to produce enough electricity to meet or exceed the home’s approximate energy demand based on specific property variables and sunlight conditions.
• Battery storage integration: Home solar batteries increase your energy independence and can provide backup power during local electrical outages. Although they can drive up installation expenses, homeowners are adopting solar batteries at increasing rates, and there are many incentives available to make home energy storage more cost-effective.
• Equipment and installer choices: When you go solar, long-term success can depend on your equipment quality and the level of service provided by your installer. For example, Enphase IQ Microinverters include an industry-leading 25-year warranty for decades of guaranteed solar savings. Likewise, you may have a better overall experience when working with an installer that has a great local reputation or offers long workmanship warranty periods.
   

While our system estimator can help you create an initial solar design for your home, a certified professional will optimize your installation to maximize electricity production and savings. To meet local building codes, interconnect with the utility grid, and ensure the safe operation of your energy system, a licensed contractor is also required to file solar permits in nearly every residential instance nationwide.

When finding the optimal solar power system for your home, consider weighing several options from multiple providers. While every company may offer something slightly different, you can use our solar installer database to ensure you’ll find a certified professional for your project.

Step 4: Contract signature, installation, and savings

Finally, once you’ve found the ideal solar energy design, installer, and contract, it’s time to make your green dream a reality. From contract signature to grid interconnection, most home solar energy systems can be safely installed and activated within one to three months.

Although upkeep and maintenance are rarely required for residential solar installations, periodic inspections and occasional solar panel cleanings are recommended to keep your system producing electricity as safely and efficiently as possible.

After your installation, the Enphase App enables you to monitor and control every aspect of your home’s Enphase Energy System. With smart energy controls and real-time data, you can use the Enphase App to maximize your solar savings and minimize your carbon footprint throughout the long, multi-decade lifespan of your system.

Steps to go solar FAQs

With the potential to lower utility bills and minimize a property's carbon footprint, those that can go solar absolutely should. By getting to know your energy habits, evaluating your property’s suitability, and connecting with local installers, you can find the best residential solar energy solution for your home, budget, and electricity needs.

What size solar system do I need for my home?

The solar system size you need for your property depends on your electricity consumption, the amount of sunlight your location receives, and the efficiency of your home energy system. When there’s enough suitable installation space, many homeowners choose to install a solar system that will produce the approximate number of kWh (kilowatt-hours) consumed annually on-site, or slightly more, to maximize energy bill savings.

Can I install solar panels myself, or do I need a professional?

While it’s possible to install solar panels yourself, it’s recommended to hire a professional. Solar installation involves working with high-voltage electricity and is often performed on rooftops, which can be quite dangerous if not done correctly. With the training and experience to install panels safely and efficiently, a certified contractor can help guarantee your system performance and ensure smooth design, permitting, and inspection processes to meet local building codes and safety requirements.

Will installing solar panels increase my property value?

Yes, installing solar panels can increase your property value. Multiple studies have found that homes with solar energy systems are more likely to be sold at prices higher than similar homes in the same area without panels installed. With this in mind, if you go solar with a solar lease, power purchase agreement, or another third-party ownership model, your installation may not increase your property value if future payment liabilities are inherited by the new homeowner.

Can I use solar power during a power outage?

Yes, you can use solar electricity during a power outage when a battery backup system is installed. With the Storm Guard feature of Enphase IQ Batteries, you can stay prepared for potential weather-related power outages with automatic energy storage backup triggered by National Weather Service alerts in the area.

How does solar impact my roof integrity?

With proper installation, solar panels do not risk roof integrity. On the contrary, a solar energy system for your home can protect and preserve the part of the roof they cover. For safety, solar panels cannot be installed on a roof that has existing damage or is near the end of its lifespan. If your roof needs to be replaced soon, installing solar and re-roofing together can be a very cost-effective solution.

What happens if I move after I go solar?

If you move, you may be able to sell your home with solar installed at a premium or transfer your solar lease to the new homeowner. In rare cases, some solar companies offer moving programs where they will take down your panels and install them on your new property. Before you sign a contract to go solar, it’s important to consider whether you may move within the lifespan of your energy system and how that may affect your overall decision-making.

Do I need a solar battery?

Although it’s not a requirement for grid-tied solar panels, a battery can be configured to provide power in your home during local energy outages. Additionally, solar energy storage increases your electricity independence, which can further reduce your utility power consumption around the clock or during peak demand hours.