Our Process
5 STEPS TO GO SOLAR

So you’re ready to take the leap and make your house into a solar home?

Before the solar installation crew can even set foot on your roof (or yard), there is a precise process that we have developed to get you there. Don’t worry, our professional team will guide you through every step! 

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DETAILED STEPS
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH

The StraightUp Solar Process

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Your Solar Journey

Going solar can be fun! Follow the path below to discover what to expect on your solar journey. Looking for a more thorough plan? Slide on down here to full descriptions of each step.

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OUR PROCESS

Five Steps To Solar

Get Started

Are you solar-ready? There are several factors that make a home a good candidate for solar, and there are some that may make it ineligible. It is different for each and every house. 

To begin, reach out for a quote and a Solar Support Specialist will follow up to determine if solar is a fit for your home. They will ask pertinent questions such as:

  • What is driving your wish to go solar?
  • What are your energy goals?
  • How old is your roof? (ground mounted arrays may be an option, too)
  • Are there trees or shade obstructions around the desired solar location?
  • What utility supplies electricity to your home?
  • What is your electric utility account number?
  • What is your month by month electrical usage?

 

If (and hopefully when) you discover that solar is an option, you’ll be directed to a Project Developer to begin planning your custom proposal.

Set Custom Plan

This is where we get into the nitty gritty of your very own solar layout. A Project Developer will take all your needs into consideration and build a digital layout for your solar system from aerial satellite images of your home. Watch how we create these layouts in a Helioscope demo video here.

Next, you’ll receive a proposal, which includes information including: current energy usage, proposed system size, estimated solar production offset, likely savings, pricing, incentives, financing options, payback time, and a cash flow analysis. Once you’re satisfied with the proposal, your Project Developer will send you a contract to sign. We are equipped to manage this whole process online.

Project Guidance

Upon signing, your project goes to a Project Manager who will be your point person for all things installation-related. They are the liaison between you, the on-site field crew, your inspector from your county or city, and your utility. They manage various tasks (applications, permitting, scheduling) leading up to the actual installation. Our experienced personnel have the local knowledge to really shine through this process.

  1. First and foremost, they will schedule a Technical Onsite Visit to your home to ensure everything is ready to go. No entry needed, since this can be done by drone or by climbing your roof. We may need some photos of your electrical panel and attic, which you can take yourself, or we can take them with proper personal protective equipment during Covid-19.
  2. One-line diagrams are engineered electrical drawings that are based on the digital layout from your Project Developer. These will be finalized after the technical onsite to incorporate information we gathered while visiting your home.
  3. Pre-Installation Incentive applications are submitted on your behalf. We typically get a lot of questions about solar incentives and will leave you well-informed on your options.
  4. Permitting applications with final one-line diagrams and paperwork are submitted. No wasting time in line at City Hall for you! We handle the permitting and approval process with your local governmental officials.

 

Once this is all completed, your Project Manager will work with you and the crew to schedule installation.

Install & Energize

Installation

This is where the magic happens! Depending on the size of your project, installation could take between 1 to 3 days. Small 5kWDC arrays can take as little as a day while bigger projects can take more time. The average residential system is 7 to 10 kWDC. At this point in the process, your Field Project Manager will already have estimated how long your particular installation will take and passed that information to you. Our crews work in most weather, though extreme weather may affect the schedule.

Installation happens in two parts: the assembly of the solar array components and electrical work. Our crew is experienced and efficient. The installation does NOT damage your roof. Panels actually protect the section of roof they cover. StraightUp Solar uses trusted high-quality panel and inverter products. In addition, some people choose an optional solar battery storage backup to store excess power generated.

A note on cleanup: Once the crew finishes the installation, they properly dispose of excess materials and waste, while recycling as much as possible, so your yard is clean. If you are installing a ground mounted array, talk to your Project Manager about a plan for trenching as you may need to do some yard work after the installation.

Energize!

After your array is installed, you cannot use it until it is inspected by your local government, and your utility provider comes to install a bi-directional meter. The meter measures the amount of energy your home is using and sending to the grid. Your utility will schedule time for this within 30 days of your solar array installation

Once all of this is complete you can flip the switch.

Viola! Now your home is ENERGIZED and ready to catch some rays!

Enjoy!

Every customer receives an Owner’s Manual with specifications about the equipment, maintenance procedures, warranty policies, and other important information.

Easily Track Your Production

Our major inverter companies have monitoring display software where you can track your system production via an online app. Customers tend to enjoy checking in on sunny days to see their production soar.

Warranties & Guarantees

You know you’re in good hands because in addition to our 10 Year Workmanship Warranty, we offer a Sunrise to Sunset Production Guarantee. We promise that your project will produce 85% of projected energy usage for the year, or we’ll make up the difference. Learn more about warranties here.

Now you’re ready to “set it and forget it” with your brand new solar array! If you do happen to run into any issues or questions, we have a full Service Department ready to help.

GOING SOLAR

Is Simple

As you can see from our process, StraightUp Solar has solar down to a science. Going solar with your home has never been easier. Let our skilled team bring your solar dream to life!

As you’ve just learned, the first step is reaching out for your custom quote.

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Is My Home Good for Solar?

Our handy two-minute quiz asks a series of questions to help you determine whether your home is a good fit for solar. Everyone’s situation is different, and we appreciate the opportunity to learn about your unique interest in solar!

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See Our Solar Smiles

"StraightUp is AWESOME!!! Charles is AWESOME as well. We had a wonderful experience with you. Initial plan was perfect, the install plan was perfect and everyone was very professional and informative. Before we decided to go Solar, we spoke with three other companies. They were pushy and rude and not really answering questions. I can’t say enough about Straight Up Solar. They are the BEST!!!"
Lucy R.St. Louis, Missouri Homeowner
“We were looking at putting in a larger system and from the first encounter with StraightUp Solar they knew all of the regulations and steps our system would have to adhere to. Not only were they incredibly knowledgeable about the entire solar process, but they were also friendly and easy to work with.”
Miranda B.Biddle Farms
Joy, Illinois Farm
"Thanks to StraightUp Solar for the installation of my solar array. It has been up and running for over a month and we are very happy with it. The installation team and electricians did a great job, were very professional and kept us in the loop every step of the way."
Donna R.Godfrey, Illinois Homeowner
"[Solar] is a good investment because obviously it limits a variable for our company. The largest cost we have is our labor. Coming in #2 behind that is the cost of the energy that we need to put into our steel and aluminum to get it hot enough to be able to form it. By having solar panels... you're fixing one of those variables. We have enough of a challenge with steel costs and labor. To be able to freeze one of those variables I think puts us in an advantageous position over a lot of our competitors."
Craig N.Forge Resources Group
Illinois Manufacturing Company
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  • 11696 Lilburn Park Rd
    St. Louis, MO 63146

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  • 505 N Main St, Suite A
    Bloomington, IL 61701

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  • 11580 IL-37
    Marion, IL 62959

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