Your Solar Journey
From the day your contract is verified to the day we flip the switch, here's exactly what happens and when. All timelines are estimated in business days / weeks from your Contract Verified Date.
Heads up: These are estimated timelines. We are committed to submitting all required applications and documentation promptly, but final approvals are controlled by third parties — including Pepco and the permitting offices — and are outside our control. Delays caused by utility or city backlogs, weather, project changes, or missing documentation may shift timelines. We will do our best to keep you informed every step of the way.
The Full Breakdown
Click any phase to expand it, then click any step within for full details.
1
Quality Assurance & Engineering
2–4 Weeks in Phase 1 · Contract verification through final site design
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We verify your contract, go on site, and finalize your system design with engineering. This lays the groundwork for everything that follows.
1
Contract Verification
1–2 business days
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Welcome to the family! At this stage we will verify your contract packet and make sure we have everything we need to move your project forward. Once verified, your project is officially kicked off. This is your Day 1 — the anchor for every timeline that follows.
What happens
- Our Quality Assurance (QA) team reviews your project documents for completeness.
- You'll receive a welcome email and text introducing you to the Operations Team and confirming your project is underway.
- We begin preparing to schedule your site survey.
What you'll do: Keep an eye out for scheduling messages. The sooner you book, the sooner we can move you to the next step.
2
Site Survey
Up to 2 weeks
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We send a team to your home to take roof measurements. We are confirming if our proposed design is the best layout for your home! Depending on your project, we may need to access your attic or crawl space to take measurements of your roof supports — your sales rep will have confirmed this with you.
What happens
- We schedule your roof site visit — you'll get a text the day before. Most visits take ~30 minutes, and you don't need to be home.
- If a structural assessment is needed, we'll send you a scheduling link — it's your responsibility to book a time that works. Interior visits take ~60 minutes and you'll need to be home. If you do not have attic access, we may need to cut your drywall.
- Our team measures all structural and roof components needed to finalize your design.
What you'll do: Book your structural survey appointment (if applicable) as soon as possible. Projects can sit waiting on scheduling, so the sooner you confirm, the sooner we move forward.
3
Post Site Survey QA & Pre-Engineering
Up to 2 weeks
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After the site visit, our Design Team translates what we found on site into your final system layout. Our Operations Team handles QA and engineering to make sure your installation is possible and built to last.
What happens
- Design Team confirms or reconfigures your system layout based on site findings.
- Our team weighs factors like roof condition, Pepco limitations, and installation technique to land on the best design for your home.
- If we did a structural analysis, your structure must be approved by a structural engineer before we can move forward.
- Once everything clears QA, the Operations Team moves your project into the Approvals Phase.
- If any adjustments require a change order, we'll reach out for your approval.
Heads up: If we need your input on a change order or question, your response speed directly affects your timeline — projects can sit in limbo while we wait.
2
Approvals
2–4 Weeks in Phase 2 · Engineering, utility approval & permits
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We obtain engineering stamps, submit to Pepco, and pull all required permits. This phase has the most third-party dependencies — we'll keep you posted on progress.
4
Permits & Approvals
Up to 4 weeks (varies by path)
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We work on two tracks in parallel: preparing documents for Pepco (your utility) and for the permitting office (your city/county). Timelines below are estimated, but our team works hard to stay on target.
First: Engineering drawings
- Our engineering team produces detailed drawings and has them stamped by a structural engineer (typically within 5 business days of entering this phase).
Next: Pepco submission
- Once drawings are in hand, we submit your interconnection application to Pepco.
- Pepco's "Approval to Install" (ATI): Pepco's engineers technically review your system – typically approving your interconnection 10–15 business days from submission.
Then: Your permit path
Depending on your home and system size, your permits follow one of two paths:
DC single-family, non-historic, <15kW
Typically fastest route
Historic DC homes, Maryland, or >15kW
Review runs in parallel
One thing to know: We wait until ATI and both permits are in hand before moving you into the Construction phase.
Longer turnaround areas: Homes in Montgomery County, MD, and sites under Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) designation typically take longer than 20 business days for review.
Please don't change your Pepco account during this phase. Panel count changes or account updates will trigger a new Pepco application and restart the review.
3
Construction & Post-Installation
4–8 Weeks in Phase 3 · Installation through system activation
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With all approvals secured, we schedule your installation, complete the inspection, and handle the final Pepco paperwork to get your system officially turned on.
5
Construction
Up to 4 weeks in queue - 1 day for installation
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With all approvals in hand, your project moves into the construction queue. This phase is dynamic — how long you wait depends on current backlog and whether any prep work (like roof repairs) needs to happen first. We are actively ordering your materials that match your approved plans. Once materials are in hand, and we are ready for your installation - we'll be in touch!
What to expect
- Walter, our Construction Coordinator, will reach out by phone, text, and email to schedule your installation.
- We schedule only a few days in advance to avoid weather disruptions.
- Two crews will be on site: the installation team and the electricians.
- You must be home for the full business day — our electricians need access to the inside of your home.
- Most residential installations are completed in just one day.
- Inspection is scheduled at the same time as your installation, usually 2 business days after install. Inspectors need interior access.
Priority scheduling: If your project experienced delays in the permitting phase, you may be moved up in the construction queue.
6
System On! — Authorization to Operate
2–4 weeks
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You're almost there! After installation and inspection, we handle the final paperwork to get your system officially activated.
What happens
- We submit a Certificate of Completion (COC) to Pepco.
- Pepco reviews and remotely activates net metering on your meter (up to 20 business days by regulation, usually within 2 weeks).
- You'll receive monitoring login details from Enphase Enlighten.
- Pepco issues your Authorization to Operate (ATO) — we turn your system on!
Own your SRECs? Once your ATO is granted, you can begin registering them. We offer complimentary registration — check out our SREC guide for details.
After activation, you'll be introduced to our Customer Advocacy and Resolution Team, who will handle any questions or needs from here on out.