Your Solar Journey

Your project has officially entered the Permitting and Authorizations phase. It is now in the hands of our Operations Team. You should have received an email from updates@solarsolutiondc.com with your new project coordinator’s contact information. Their job is to push your project along to hit milestones outlined below.  
 
We’ve already completed the Design and Preliminary Engineering phase, and are now preparing your paperwork for submission to Pepco and the permitting office. Please note that these timelines may shift based on utility and city backlog. Solar Solution is actively expanding our team to cut down construction backlogs. Projects with time-sensitive tax credits receive priority. 

What to Expect

  • Day 1 - Starting point (today’s email) 

  • Day 3 - Application submitted to Pepco for review 

  • Day 7 - Engineering drawings finalized and sent to structural engineer for review/stamp 

  • Day 14 - Submission to permitting office for building permit 

  • Day 20-30 - Pepco approval to install 

  • Day 35-50 - Building permit issued 

  • Day 50 - Electrical permit issued; project enters construction queue 

  • Day 60-80 (depending on backlog) - Installation (inspection scheduled for the following business day) 

  • Day 100 or sooner - Authorization to Operate; your project is complete 

    Important: If documentation is missing or changes occur after contract verification, timelines may be disrupted. We will notify you immediately if additional information is required. 

    You will receive milestone updates from: 
    updates@solarsolutiondc.com
    (202) 930-7173 

Milestones Explained

Pepco Approvals 

We submit an interconnection application to Pepco for the meter/account on file. Pepco’s engineers will review your project’s specifications (panels, inverters, and other technical details). Once they have completed a technical review of your proposed solar system, they will provide us with the “Approval to Install”. While we have the approval from Pepco, we still need your permits from the city to begin work.  

If anything changes, such as panel count or account info, a new application and review will be required. To avoid delays, please refrain from making account changes until your system has received the Authorization to Operate after installation. 
 
Typical turnaround: 15-30 days. If approvals run late, our coordinators work directly with Pepco and will keep you updated. 

Engineering & Permitting 

Our engineering team develops detailed installation drawings, including roof layout, electrical specs, and calculations. These are reviewed and stamped by a structural engineer before submission to the permitting office. Permitting reviews can take 20-40 days, depending on factors like fire code, historic review, or zoning questions. 
 
Once building permits are issued, we apply for your electrical permit. With permits and Pepco approval secured, your project is placed into the construction queue.  

Please note: Homes in CFA designations, as well as Montgomery County, will experience longer turnaround times.  

Construction 

Solar Solution completes 6-8 installations daily. Projects are scheduled from oldest to newest, but if your project experiences delays in the permitting and approval phase, your project will be moved up in priority. 
 
Our Construction Coordinator, Walter, will contact you by phone, text, and email to schedule installation (typically only a few days in advance to avoid weather conflicts). Homeowners must be present during the full installation day. 
 
Inspection is scheduled simultaneously. Depending on jurisdiction, inspections are performed by county officials or our partner agency (TES). Inspectors will require access inside your home to review the electrical tie-in. 

Post-Installation 

After installation and inspection, we submit final documents to Pepco. They will update your Pepco meter for net metering. By regulation, this may take up to 20 business days, though we typically see it completed within 2 weeks. 
 
During this time, your monitoring system will be set up, and you’ll receive login details for Enphase Enlighten. 

Authorization to Operate 

Once Pepco finalizes net metering, they issue an Authorization to Operate. At that point, we can officially activate your system—your solar journey is complete! 
 
If you own the SRECs associated with your system, you may begin registering them at this stage. Solar Solution offers complimentary registration services—please refer to our guide to selling SRECs for more details. 
 
Finally, you’ll be introduced to our Customer Success Team, who will support you with any post activation questions or needs.