From the homeowner's side, a rooftop solar installation is mostly waiting punctuated by a few busy days. Knowing the sequence in advance makes the waiting far less frustrating.
1. Consumption review
It starts with your bills — twelve months of them. This determines indicative capacity, and it is the point at which an honest installer will tell you if solar does not make sense for your consumption.
2. Site assessment
A physical survey of the roof covering available shadow-free area, roof structure and condition, orientation and tilt possibilities, shading through the day, access for installation and later cleaning, distance from array to inverter to meter, and the condition of your existing electrical setup.
3. System design and proposal
Capacity, module layout, string configuration, inverter selection, mounting structure design, cable routing, earthing and protection. You should receive a written proposal with an itemised scope — not just a per-kW price.
4. Application and DISCOM approval
For a grid-connected system with net metering, an application goes to your DISCOM, which assesses technical feasibility at your connection. If you are applying for PM Surya Ghar assistance, registration on the national portal happens alongside. This stage is usually the longest and is largely outside the installer's control.
5. Installation
Once approved and material is at site, the physical work on a small residential system typically takes two to five working days:
- Mounting structure fabrication and anchoring
- Module mounting and DC string wiring
- Inverter mounting and AC connection to your distribution board
- Earthing and lightning protection
- Cable management, labelling and safety checks
6. Inspection and net meter
The DISCOM inspects the installation and installs a bi-directional net meter. A commissioning certificate follows. Where applicable, subsidy processing proceeds after this stage.
7. Commissioning and handover
The system is energised and synchronised with the grid. You should receive: system documentation, equipment warranties, a single-line diagram, monitoring access, and a walkthrough of what normal generation looks like — so you can recognise abnormal generation later.
What to ask for before you sign
- Make, model and wattage of modules and inverter — in writing, not "branded".
- Structure specification and height, and whether the terrace stays usable.
- Warranty terms for modules, inverter, structure and workmanship, separately stated.
- What is included in the price: DISCOM liaison, net meter charges, earthing, protection.
- Post-installation support: cleaning, maintenance visits, response commitments.
This guide is general information, not technical or financial advice for a specific property. Figures are indicative and vary by location, tariff, site conditions and current policy. For a decision, get a site assessment. Talk to RIJARA ENERGY →