Making the decision to go solar is a big step for any business. But once you’ve decided to move forward, what actually happens? If you’ve never been through the process before, it’s natural to have questions about timelines, disruption, and what’s involved at each stage.
Here’s a straightforward guide to what you can expect from start to finish when you install commercial solar panels with Joe Solar.
Stage 1: Initial Consultation and Site Survey
Everything starts with a conversation about your business, your energy usage, and what you’re hoping to achieve. We’ll ask about your current electricity bills, when your peak usage occurs, and any future plans that might affect your energy needs.
From there, we carry out a detailed site survey. This involves assessing your roof – its size, orientation, pitch, structural condition, and any shading from nearby buildings or trees. We also review your electrical infrastructure to ensure it can accommodate a solar system. This stage is completely free and comes with no obligation.
Stage 2: System Design and Proposal
Using the data from the survey, we design a system specifically for your property. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach – every system we install is tailored to maximise your self-consumption and return on investment.
You’ll receive a detailed proposal covering the system size, expected annual generation, projected savings, and a clear breakdown of costs. We’ll walk you through the numbers so you can make an informed decision with complete confidence.
Stage 3: Planning and Permissions
Most commercial solar installations fall under permitted development rights, meaning you won’t need formal planning permission. However, there are exceptions – listed buildings, conservation areas, and certain industrial sites may require additional approvals.
We handle all the paperwork for you, including applications to your District Network Operator (DNO) to connect the system to the grid. This is a mandatory step that we manage entirely on your behalf, so you don’t need to deal with any of the technical admin.
Stage 4: Installation
This is where the visible work happens. For a typical commercial system, installation takes between two and five days depending on system size and roof complexity. Our MCS-certified installers work efficiently and tidily, and we always aim to minimise disruption to your daily operations.
The process involves mounting the racking system to your roof, fitting the solar panels, installing the inverter and any monitoring equipment, and connecting everything to your electrical supply. Health and safety is paramount throughout – we carry full insurance and follow strict safety protocols on every job.
In most cases, your business can continue operating normally while the installation takes place. We’ll only need a brief power shutdown (typically under an hour) when we make the final electrical connections.
Stage 5: Commissioning and Handover
Once the physical installation is complete, we commission the system – testing everything to ensure it’s generating correctly and safely. We’ll register your system with the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), which is required if you want to receive Smart Export Guarantee payments for any surplus electricity you send back to the grid.
Finally, we hand over the system to you with a full walkthrough. We’ll show you how to monitor your generation in real time, explain your warranty coverage, and make sure you’re comfortable with how everything works.
After Installation: Ongoing Support
Solar panels require very little maintenance – there are no moving parts, and rainfall generally keeps them clean enough to perform well. We do recommend an annual check to ensure everything is running optimally, and we’re always available if you have questions or concerns down the line.
Ready to get started? Contact Joe Solar today for a free site survey and no-obligation quote. We’ll guide you through every step of the process.