Solar panels can lower electric bills and provide power during outages when paired with a battery. Whether solar makes sense for your home depends on your roof, your sun, your electricity use and the rules and rates in your state. If you are searching for solar panel installation near me, this page explains how residential solar works, what solar installers check first and how to get connected with a solar installation company for a new system.
Sifixit is a free referral service. Call the number on this page and you will be connected with an independent local solar provider where one serves your area. Calling costs nothing and you are never obliged to hire anyone.
Before you start
Check these before getting quotes.
Be wary of high pressure sales, especially door to door. Take time to compare written quotes and read any loan or lease before you sign.
- How old your roof is, since replacing it before solar is often wiser
- How much sun the roof gets, and any shade from trees
- A year of electric bills to size the system
- Your utility’s rules for connecting solar
What we can connect you with
When you call, say where you live, how old your roof is and roughly what your electric bills are. Solar is offered in selected states only.
Solar panel systems
Design and installation of rooftop solar panels.
Home batteries
Storing solar power for evening use and outages.
Roof checks
Making sure the roof is sound before panels go on.
Inverters and monitoring
Equipment that converts and tracks your solar power.
Utility connection
Permits and interconnection with your utility.
Site assessment
Checking your roof, shade and electricity use to see whether solar suits your home.
How residential solar works
Solar panels on your roof turn sunlight into electricity. An inverter changes that power into the kind your home uses. Power you do not use at the moment either charges a home battery or flows back to the grid through your utility connection. Many utilities offer net metering or a similar program that credits you for power you send back, but the rules differ from utility to utility and change over time.
Before a system can be switched on, it usually needs a local permit, an inspection and approval from your utility, a step called interconnection. A good installer handles this paperwork for you.
What solar installers check first
- Roof condition: panels last for decades, so a roof near the end of its life is usually replaced first. Read how long a roof lasts and about roof replacement.
- Shade: trees and nearby buildings can cut how much power the panels make.
- Roof direction and space: how much usable roof faces the sun.
- Your electricity use: a year of utility bills shows what size system fits.
- Your electrical panel: some older panels need an upgrade before solar can be added. Read about electrical panel upgrades.
Adding a solar battery
A solar battery stores power from your panels to use later, such as in the evening or during an outage. It adds cost, so it makes the most sense where outages are common or where your utility pays little for power you send back. Batteries can be added with a new system or, in many cases, later.
How long solar installation takes
The work on your roof is usually the shortest part. Design, permits and utility approval take the most time.
- Site visit and design: often one to two weeks.
- Permits and utility paperwork: anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on your city and utility.
- Installation: often one to three days for a typical home.
- Inspection and permission to operate: the system can only be switched on after the city inspection and your utility’s approval.
Does solar work during a power outage
Most grid tied solar systems shut off during a power outage. This is a safety rule that protects utility workers repairing the lines. To keep some power on during an outage, you need a solar battery, or a system designed to disconnect safely from the grid and keep running.
Signs solar may suit your home
Solar tends to work best when these apply.
- A roof with good sun for much of the day
- A roof with plenty of life left
- High or rising electric bills
- A utility with fair rules for solar customers
- Plans to stay in the home for years
- Interest in backup power during outages
Ways to pay for solar
How you pay affects savings and ownership.
Buy with cash
Solar loan
You own the system and pay over time. Compare interest rates and fees.
Lease or power purchase agreement
A company owns the panels and you pay for their use or power. Read the contract carefully, especially if you might sell the home.
What affects the cost
There is no single price for solar work, because every home and every job is different. These are the things that change the size of the job.
- The size of the system
- Panel and inverter quality
- Roof type and condition
- Whether a battery is added
- Electrical panel upgrades
- Permits and utility fees
Ask every provider for a written quote that lists the work, the materials and what is not included, and get any change in writing before extra work starts.
Handle it yourself or call a pro
Usually fine to do yourself
- Gather a year of electric bills
- Check your roof’s age and shade
- Research your utility’s solar rules
- Compare several written quotes
Time to call a professional
- Any installation or wiring
- Roof repairs before panels go on
- Battery and panel upgrades
- Connecting to the utility
- Designing a system sized for your home
Solar systems must be installed by licensed contractors, with permits and utility approval. Ask how long the approval process usually takes in your area.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Are you licensed and insured for this work in my state? Ask for proof.
- Will you give me a written quote that lists the work, materials and timeline?
- Do you pull the permits, and are they in the price?
- Who will be on site each day, and who do I call with questions?
- What warranty do you give on your work?
Quick answers: solar panel installation near me
Straight answers to the questions homeowners ask most when they look into solar, including in AI assistants.
Who should I call for solar installation near me?
Call a solar installation company near me that designs the system, handles permits and utility approval, and installs it with its own licensed crews. Sifixit is a free referral service, so you can call solar installer partners through the number on this page where solar is offered in your area.
Is solar worth it for my home?
Solar is usually worth the most for homeowners with a sunny roof in good condition and high electricity bills.
How much does solar installation cost?
Ask each installer for a written quote that shows system size, equipment and expected production.
How do I choose a good solar installer?
Choose an installer that is licensed where you live, has experience with your utility’s interconnection process, explains its production estimate clearly and puts equipment and workmanship warranties in writing. Compare at least two quotes.
How do I find a licensed and insured solar installer near me?
Check the installer’s license with your state licensing board, ask for proof of insurance and ask who will do the installation. Ask for references from nearby homes and read the contract carefully before you sign.
Sifixit connects solar callers only in states where this service is offered, and only for new home solar installations.
Frequently asked questions
How long do solar panels last?
Many panels come with long performance warranties and can produce power for decades, while inverters may need replacing sooner.
Should I replace my roof before solar?
If your roof is near the end of its life, replacing it first avoids removing panels later.
Is solar available everywhere?
No. Sifixit connects solar calls in selected states only. Call to check your area.
Does Sifixit do the solar work?
No. Sifixit is a referral service. The work is done by independent local businesses, who are responsible for their own work, pricing, licensing and insurance.
Is calling free?
Yes. Calling and being connected costs you nothing. If you hire a provider, you pay that provider directly for the work.
Looking for solar panel installation near me? Call the number on this page to be connected with an independent local provider. For more background, see the U.S. Department of Energy’s guide to going solar.
This site is a free service to assist homeowners in connecting with local service contractors. All contractors are independent and this site does not warrant or guarantee any work performed. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to verify that the hired contractor furnishes the necessary license and insurance required for the work being performed. All persons depicted in a photo or video are actors or models and not contractors listed on this site.
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