What to Expect on Installation Day
Installation day is an exciting milestone — it's when your solar system goes from a plan on paper to hardware on your roof. Here's what you can expect so the day goes as smoothly as possible.
How Long Will It Take?
Most residential installations are completed in a single day.
Larger systems or jobs with more complex electrical work may occasionally require a second day. Your project coordinator will give you a heads-up in advance if your job is expected to run into a second day.
Do I Need to Be Home?
Yes. An adult must be present at the home for the duration of the installation.
Our crew will need access to the interior of your home, including:
- Your electrical panel
- Your attic
Someone needs to be available to let them in and answer any questions that come up during the job.
Will My Power Go Out?
Possibly. Connecting your solar system to your home's electrical panel requires us to shut off power temporarily.
If this applies to your installation:
- Outage typically lasts between 30 minutes and 2 hours
- We recommend planning for this in advance
- If you work from home, have a backup plan for that window
- Make sure any time-sensitive appliances or devices are accounted for
How Should I Prepare?
A little preparation goes a long way toward keeping the day on schedule:
Parking
- Make sure there is room for two vans to park near your home
Access
- Clear any obstacles that might block access to your electrical panel or attic
- Ensure the attic entry is accessible and unobstructed
Gates/Locks
- If you have a gate or locked area the crew will need to pass through, make sure it's unlocked and accessible for the day
What Will the Crew Be Doing?
Your installation team will work in two main areas:
On the Roof
- Mounting the racking system
- Installing solar panels
Inside Your Home
- Installing the inverter
- Connecting the system to your electrical panel
- Running any necessary conduit
Additional Equipment (If Applicable)
If you are having a battery or EV charger installed alongside your solar system, that work will happen during this same visit.
What Happens After the Crew Leaves?
Once installation is complete:
✅ Your system is fully installed
❌ But not yet turned on
Before Activation
Before your system can be activated, it needs:
- Municipal inspection — local authority verifies installation meets code
- Permission to Operate (PTO) — utility company approval to connect to grid
Next Steps
- Your crew will walk you through what was installed before they leave
- Your project coordinator will be in touch with next steps
- Timeline for inspection and PTO varies by municipality
Questions or Concerns?
If you have any concerns about the work done, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team right away.
Installation Day Checklist
| Task | Status |
|---|---|
| Adult present all day | ☐ |
| Room for 2 vans to park | ☐ |
| Attic access cleared | ☐ |
| Electrical panel accessible | ☐ |
| Gates unlocked | ☐ |
| Backup plan for power outage | ☐ |
| Time-sensitive devices accounted for | ☐ |
Timeline: From Installation to Activation
| Step | Typical Timeline | Who Handles |
|---|---|---|
| Installation Day | 1 day (sometimes 2) | Venture Home crew |
| Municipal Inspection | 1-2 weeks | Venture Home schedules |
| Permission to Operate | 2-4 weeks | Utility company |
| System Activation | Day of PTO approval | Utility + Venture Home |
Related Articles
- [[signing-to-installation|What Happens Between Signing and Installation]]
- [[system-activation|System Activation and Permission to Operate]]
- [[post-installation|What to Expect After Installation]]
- [[monitoring-setup|Setting Up Your Monitoring App]]
Questions?
Contact Customer Success:
- Phone: 800-203-4158
- Email: Via the Venture Home app
- Webchat: Available on our website during business hours