From first call to system turn-on
What actually happens after you request a solar quote.
Most Long Island solar customers go from initial call to a turned-on, producing solar system in 7–12 weeks. Here is the realistic step-by-step — what we do, what you do, and who you actually talk to.
- 01
Day 0
Initial call (15 minutes)
We ask three questions: your address, your recent LIPA bill (kWh + amount), and whether you have a battery or EV plans. That tells us if solar makes economic sense for your home — we will tell you upfront if it does not.
- 02
Day 3–10
Free site visit (45 minutes)
An installer (not a salesperson) walks your roof, measures it with a laser, takes shade readings with a Solar Pathfinder, photographs your electrical panel, and confirms the planned panel layout. No pitch — we are gathering install data.
- 03
Day 6–13
Numbered proposal (3 days later)
You receive a single PDF: roof layout with panel placement, kWh production estimate by month, gross install cost, line-by-line incentive math, net out-of-pocket, projected payback year. If you have questions we answer in writing — no high-pressure follow-ups.
- 04
Day 7–30
Contract signed
You sign when you are ready. The contract spells out the gross price, every incentive applied, the workmanship warranty terms, and the exact equipment by model number (panels, inverters, racking). 10% deposit at signing; balance on PSEG turn-on.
- 05
Day 14–44
Design + drawings (1–2 weeks)
Our engineer produces signed-and-sealed drawings: structural load calculation, electrical single-line, site plan with setbacks. These go to the Town Building Department + Suffolk County Electrical.
- 06
Day 21–65
Permits filed and approved (2–3 weeks)
Town of Huntington Building Department: 1–2 weeks. Suffolk County electrical permit: 5–7 days. If you are in Northport Village or Lloyd Harbor (or any incorporated village) add 2–3 weeks for ARB.
- 07
Day 35–80
Install day (6–8 hours on the roof)
Crew arrives 7 AM, panels are on by 1 PM, electrical is finished by 4 PM. We are off your roof same day on residential. Larger 12+ kW systems sometimes take 2 days. We will tell you when we schedule.
- 08
Day 42–101
Inspection + PSEG approval (1–3 weeks)
Suffolk County electrical inspector visits within 1–2 weeks of install — usually no issues. PSEG Long Island reviews the interconnection paperwork (1–2 weeks) and schedules a meter swap. Once the new bidirectional meter is installed, we flip the system on.
- 09
Day 49–108
System turned on
We come back, energize the inverters, walk you through the monitoring app (per-panel production, alerts, performance reports), hand off the final placed-in-service letter for your federal Form 5695 and NY Form IT-255. You start producing free electricity that day.
Realistic timeline: 7–12 weeks contract to turn-on
Faster path (no village review, fast PSEG queue): 7 weeks. Standard Suffolk County residential install: 9 weeks. Village or historic-district install (Northport, Lloyd Harbor): 11–12 weeks. We will tell you which bucket you are in at the site visit.
Step 1, starting now
Send us a recent LIPA bill.
The fastest way to start is to send a recent LIPA bill (just the first page is fine). We will reply within one business day with a rough quote range; if it makes sense to continue, we schedule the site visit.
Or call: (631) 759-8716