The installation of your solar photovoltaic modules should happen fairly quickly. There will be other work, such as installing electrical meters, conduit, switches, and the power grid tie-in which may take place over time, but installing the solar panels should only take a day or two for the average residential system. The PV array installation requires two or more people working on the ground and on the roof. There would be hammering on the roof to locate the rafters, some drilling, sawing conduit and other miscellaneous noises but it should be altogether non-intrusive. At some point, before, after or during the solar module installation, the inverter(s), meter(s) and wiring would have to be installed where the electrical service/breaker panel is located.

The average residential solar PV system installation entails the following:

• Installing rack mounts through the roof into rafters (Non-penetrating "Ballast" racks available on flat roofs.)
• Bolting the rack to the rack mounts
• Attaching the photovoltaic modules / solar modules / solar panels to the rack
• Grounding the entire rack and every solar module using the necessary gauge grounding wire and/or "weebs"
• Install a combiner box
• Install a DC disconnect switch
• Install the Inverter
• Install an AC disconnect switch
• Install an sREC meter
• Install conduit and wire from the solar array to the switches, inverter, meters and control panel (Usually roof to basement)
• Ground the entire system to a grounding rod
• Connect the AC output from the inverter (AC disconnect switch) to the Control Panel for the house.
• Install/modify the meter connected to the power grid as per the utility company
• Apply signs and plaques to identify components of the system
• Combine the arrays
• Connect the solar modules

After all of that is done, the system will be in working order. The inverter will be functioning and, on a day with sun, depending on the system size, the electric meter could run backwards while the sREC meter shows credits/certificates being made! Every solar electric system will include a manual containing information about the system components, such as solar module warranty information, maintenance information and other specifications for electricians etc.

Daylight Power Company would leave at this point, returning to check your system periodically and then to service your system as you choose or as declared in your original contract.