Solar Installation Timeline: Survey to Commissioning

The site survey

The process typically begins with a site survey, either a desktop assessment using satellite and mapping data, a more detailed technical survey carried out in person, or both. During an in-person survey, the installer will usually check your roof's condition, orientation, pitch and any shading, as well as your existing electrical setup, including your consumer unit and meter.

This stage is also when the installer confirms practical details such as access for scaffolding and where the inverter and any battery might be located inside the property.

System design and final quote

Following the survey, the installer produces a system design, specifying panel layout, system size, inverter choice, and estimated generation, along with a final itemised quote. This is a good point to ask any outstanding questions about equipment specification, warranties and what is included, as covered in our guide to comparing solar quotes.

Notifying the electricity network

Before or shortly after installing a solar system, your installer generally needs to notify the local electricity distribution network operator, since connecting generation equipment to the grid is subject to industry standards known as G98 and G99, which cover smaller and larger installations respectively. In plain terms, this is a formal notification and, for some systems, an approval process to make sure the local network can safely accommodate the new connection.

Your installer should handle this process as part of the overall project, but it is worth confirming at the quote stage that this is included, since delays at this step can affect your installation timeline, particularly for larger systems.

Scaffolding and the installation itself

Scaffolding is usually erected a day or so before the installation team arrives, and is needed for safe access to the roof. The installation itself typically involves fitting mounting rails, attaching the panels, running cabling to the inverter location, and connecting the system to your consumer unit.

Installation timelines vary depending on system size and roof complexity, and can be affected by weather conditions, since roof work is generally not carried out in unsafe conditions such as high winds or heavy rain.

Commissioning, certification and SEG

Once installed, the system is commissioned, meaning it is tested and switched on, with the installer checking it operates correctly and safely. You should then receive documentation including an MCS certificate confirming the installation meets the required standard.

With your MCS certificate and system details in hand, you can apply for a Smart Export Guarantee tariff with a participating supplier, as covered in our dedicated SEG guide, allowing you to be paid for electricity your system exports to the grid.

What to expect overall

While every project differs, homeowners can generally expect a period of weeks between the initial enquiry and survey, and the installation taking place, followed by a relatively short installation period itself, often a day or two for a typical domestic system, with commissioning and paperwork following shortly after. Ask your installer for their expected timeline at each stage so you know what to anticipate.