As you may be new to the world of energy, we will assist you in understanding key concepts that will help you achieve your goals with a new power system for your home or business. We have helpful resources on our website to provide you with quick answers to common questions.
Provide us with the essential information using our project form, and you'll receive a follow-up recommendation.
If you'd like to know more about the entire process, the following steps explain it in detail.
Step 1: Qualification
The first step is qualifying the project. This means confirming that a solar power system will fit your property well and meet your desired goals. Solar and battery power systems can be a great option for many. Still, their feasibility will vary depending on location, homeowner goals, how the home is wired, the utility power provider, and budget.
Every property and its occupants are unique, so we recommend you begin with a self-assessment by learning the basics. The resources here on our website will help you determine what is possible and what may or may not work for your specific property or goals.
Step 2: Pricing
With the information you provide, we can readily provide a free estimate. If you like the estimate, we will conduct a site visit. Although estimates are accurate, a site visit is often necessary to confirm certain details (e.g., electrical boxes) for the final plan before signing a contract.
Instant estimate: available from our price sheet.
Initial recommendation: complete our project form, and we'll respond with an estimate and discuss options.
Custom quote: if you're happy with our recommendations, we will visit the site to confirm installation requirements and provide the final quote.
Please note that complete custom quotes and site planning require three to eight hours to prepare, depending on the site requirements, the layout of the building, and the size of the system being designed.
Consultation: A consultation and/or design fee may be incurred for projects that require more complex preliminary work, such as for new construction, off-grid systems, properties more than 60 miles from Rapid City, or in other special circumstances.
Step 3: Scheduling
New customers are served in the order that we receive their project form submission. Our installation schedule is booked seasonally, so some lead time is normal. We appreciate your use of this guide and our website resources to help us expedite the process and offer very competitive rates for the quality of our work.
Step-by-step Summary:
From start to finish, our whole process follows these steps.
1. Qualify / Estimate (free)
You provide information using our project form, preferably including your monthly electric use and some photos, to help improve our recommendations.
We view the property using satellite images to identify suitable solar panel locations.
We qualify the project.
We compare system performance in relation to your monthly electric use (if provided).
We provide our recommendation and an estimate.
If our recommendation is favorable, we proceed to the next steps to finalize your custom quote.
2. Custom Design / Quote
We schedule a site visit to confirm measurements and document the existing electrical system.
We prepare a custom system design, including the site plan and wiring diagrams.
We provide the quotation and purchase agreement for your approval.
You sign the contract and pay a down payment.
Upon receiving your down payment (typically 50%), we finalize site and electrical plans, prepare equipment/materials, finish paperwork (utility interconnect, permits, etc.), and then schedule your installation.
3. Installation
We prepare and submit utility notifications, interconnection forms, underground locates, electrical permits, and building permits (as applicable).
You submit a signed interconnection agreement and proof of homeowners insurance to your utility provider.
We allocate materials and equipment for your project.
We schedule your installation.
We complete the installation and notify the utility.
Your invoice balance will be due upon completion. We will ensure the system is fully performing, register the system, and give you access to the online monitoring platform. We will also follow up to help if you have questions or need assistance.