WHY GO SOLAR?
GREEN LIVING
From the minute your solar flips on, you’re clean and green. Two noble goals that we can all agree on are protecting the environment by offsetting pollution from fossil fuels and reducing our impact on the planet.
LONG-TERM SAVINGS
Who doesn’t love saving money? Solar is an investment that gets more valuable the longer you have it, as utility rates continue to rise. You’ll notice the difference on your power bills and can expect to save thousands over the coming years.
OUR SHARED
FUTURE
You’re investing in a valuable asset for your home and your family, but you’re also investing in the future of technology. All the coal and oil in the world won’t ever match the near-infinite power of the sun, and we’re just barely tapping into this enormous potential. With thousands of ESP customers in California running on sunshine every day, we’re off to a good start.
WE DON’T SELL SOLAR.
WE INSTALL IT.
The team behind ESP has spent decades improving the solar installation process. We’ve found that focus and dedication on the tasks we’re the best at produce many more benefits than “trying to do it all”. That’s why we don’t sell solar, we install it.
Energy Service Partners is not a sales organization, and we don’t employ solar salespeople. We partner with outside sales reps and organizations that we call our Authorized Dealer Network. We conduct background checks and thorough pre-screening to make sure we’re working with reputable people. We would always encourage homeowners to conduct due diligence of their own, to ensure the salesperson pitching you solar is presenting you with facts and figures and being truthful about how they operate.
If you have questions about your current solar project, please reach out to our Support team.
WE DON’T SELL SOLAR.
WE INSTALL IT.
The team behind ESP has spent decades improving the solar installation process. We’ve found that focus and dedication on the tasks we’re the best at produce many more benefits than “trying to do it all”. That’s why we don’t sell solar, we install it.
Energy Service Partners is not a sales organization, and we don’t employ solar salespeople. We partner with outside sales reps and organizations that we call our Authorized Dealer Network. We conduct background checks and thorough pre-screening to make sure we’re working with reputable people. We would always encourage homeowners to conduct due diligence of their own, to ensure the salesperson pitching you solar is presenting you with facts and figures and being truthful about how they operate.
If you have questions about your current solar project, please reach out to our Support team.
SOLAR INSTALLATION TIMELINE
& EXPECTATIONS
We’ll provide you with a Project Coordinator at the start of the timeline, so you’re never left guessing when or what comes next. Like any construction project, there can be unknowns. But, after more than 15,000 installations, we know how to manage them. The guide below lays out our expected milestones and how long each stage should take.
You’ll receive regular status updates when your project hits key milestones. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes – the part where the panels go on the roof isn’t the end! We want to wow you with the speed and efficiency of our process, while being 100% transparent with the status of your project.
Solar Installation Timelines and Expectations
We’ll provide you with a Project Coordinator at the start of the timeline, so you’re never left guessing when or what comes next. Like any construction project, there can be unknowns. But, after more than 15,000 installations, we know how to manage them. The guide below lays out our expected milestones and how long each stage should take.
You’ll receive regular status updates when your project hits key milestones. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes – the part where the panels go on the roof isn’t the end! We want to wow you with the speed and efficiency of our process, while being 100% transparent with the status of your project.
Congratulations, your solar is ready to go!
Site Survey
(+3 days)
Our team verifies site conditions, takes photos and detailed measurements, and conducts shade studies or other environmental dynamics, if needed. Watch this video to learn more.
Project
Acceptance
(+4 days)
After the project has been verified, the finance company reviews the file and grants Notice to Proceed (NTP) with the project. ESP will review the site survey report and confirm that the PV installation is possible.
Design
(+4 days)
Your project goes to our design team to achieve maximum production. Detailed layout, drawings, and final engineering documents will be submitted to the municipalities for approval. As soon as your project design is completed, you’ll receive a copy of the proposed plan set for you to review. Note that any changes to the design after this stage can and will cause delays in completing your solar project, as new permits will have to be obtained. Watch this video to learn more.
Roof Completed
(+2-3 weeks)
Getting a new roof with your solar system is a great idea, and not uncommon - nearly one in five solar projects require it. Our roofing department will coordinate and deliver a superior replacement before the solar goes up.
Permit
Submission
(+3-14 days)
Final drawings are submitted to your local municipality’s building and construction safety departments. Many cities review and approve plans in a few days, but some cities can take weeks. Similarly, utility submittal and approval processes and timelines vary. Note that any open permit, code enforcement ticket or any issues concerning unpermitted structures on the property site will cause your local municipality to put a hold on the solar permit. When starting a solar project, please ensure that all open permits requests you may have with your local municipalities are closed out so we can get to work promptly for you. Again, any changes to design will result in delays. Watch this video to learn more.
Installation
(+3-14 days)
Once approvals are received, your project manager will call to schedule the delivery and set-up of your solar system. The on-site work will typically take about one to three days, depending on the system size and other conditions. Our installation teams are trained, licensed and bonded, technically skilled, and highly experienced. We protect the integrity of your home with safety in mind, and we do our absolute best to leave everything tidy when we’re finished. Watch this video to learn more.
MPU
Completed
(+2-3 weeks)
Main Panel Upgrades are required when your electrical service panel is already at max capacity or outdated for modern building codes. This does require your power to be off during the day of work. We coordinate with your utility to schedule this, which can extend the overall timeline, but you're left with a safer home afterward. Important Note: Municipalities sometimes require us to leave an area directly around the panel open and unfinished for their inspection. Once this inspection process is complete we will make any aesthetic corrections to the immediate property.
Meter Spot
Completed
(+2-3 weeks)
Sometimes your power company mandates the utility meter to be relocated based on building code. We will scope out the move and work with the utility to ensure it meets their requirements. Important Note: Municipalities sometimes require us to leave an area directly around the panel open and unfinished for their inspection. Once this inspection process is complete we will make any aesthetic corrections to the immediate property.
Inspection
Completed/Passed
(+2-3 weeks)
The local municipality needs to approve our handiwork. Your project manager will call and arrange a time to have an inspector from the local municipality come out to review your solar project. This may take more than one inspection, in the event that adjustments are required. Watch this video to learn more.
PTO
Received/Granted
(+10 days)
The approval from the final inspection is submitted to the utility company for interconnection and Permission to Operate (PTO). Depending on your utility provider, it may take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Once the utility gives the green light to operate your clean power plant, you're almost there! Watch this video to learn more.
System Activation
/Project Complete
(+7 days)
You're living clean and green now! The system can officially be turned on, and you can watch the energy flow all day every day. Your Project Coordinator will call you to schedule the activation, go over system monitoring, and answer any final questions you have. Watch this video to learn more.
Do you foresee the need to add any of these services:
SETTING PROPER EXPECTATIONS IS PART OF GOOD COMMUNICATION.
At ESP, our core focus is your satisfaction and the success of your project. While the above is an outline of the standard process, construction of any kind can present unknowns. If you’ve ever worked with contractors for your home in the past, that’s no surprise to hear. As projects mature, different things may be needed to progress to the next milestone. There are hundreds of cities, municipalities, and utility districts across California, and many more inspectors of those.
Rest assured, we are experts at what we do, and after 15,000 successful solar panel installations, we’ve learned how to overcome any obstacle. We don’t like surprises any more than you do, so transparency comes standard. We will see your project through to the end!
Watch the videos below to see the whole project process.
The Whole Solar Install process.
Warranties & Guarantees
Thanks to our highly skilled installers and partnership with quality manufacturers, ESP is proud to stand behind our work. We’ve got your back.
Frequently asked questions
Solar saves you money by generating electricity from the sun instead of racking up your power bill. Solar costs have fallen dramatically over the last 5-10 years, and tax incentives remain strong. You’re stuck paying a never-ending rent check to the power company for life, until you go solar – it’s the same reason to consider buying a house instead of renting one. In short, it’s totally worth it.
ESP operates exclusively in the top states in the continental US for total sun exposure and solar potential (California and Texas), as measured by the National Renewable Energy Lab. That means it’s pretty rare to find a roof that won’t work. Our Authorized Dealers are equipped with tools to show you where the panels will go, and then our site survey and design teams will make sure we maximize your total solar generation.
You don’t need to change a thing. Solar connects directly with the main electric panel in your home. It’s like having your own clean power plant on the roof that works in tandem with the power company. Every power company has their own interconnection requirements, often called Net Metering, which dictate how much you can expect as a return rate when you sell excess power to the grid. You won’t notice any difference in your day-to-day, until you see your electric bill dropping like a stone. Keep in mind that you will still be connected to the grid, and your system is designed to produce based on your historic energy usage over the past year. If your electric consumption goes up, your solar doesn’t have the ability to produce extra. One option to ensure you never get a surprise power bill is choosing to install more solar panels when first designing the system just to be safe.
Homeowners who purchased a system after July 1st 2021 have the added benefit of Pearl Certification, which is a set of documents you can share with your Realtor or Appraiser if you’re ready to refinance or sell your home. If you’re an ESP customer with solar purchased prior to July 2021, you can check out Pearl Certification as part of a Service Plan at www.joinespservices.com.
We offer Panel Cleaning packages at www.joinespservices.com if you’re interested in getting professional help with this.