ServicesSolar Panel Installation
Solar Panel Installation in Allen
We design and install solar panels for homes in Allen and the nearby towns, starting with a careful look at what's already there. Older roofs, aging electrical panels and past repairs all shape the system, so we check them first and tell you plainly what they mean for your project.
A solar system that fits the house you actually have
Most solar quotes are built from a satellite photo and a utility bill. That works fine on a brand-new house. On a home that's twenty or thirty years old, it can miss the things that matter: a main panel with no room for another breaker, decking that was patched after a storm, or attic wiring someone added in the nineties.
We go up on the roof, into the attic and open the electrical panel before we design anything. If something needs attention first, you hear about it at the start, not halfway through the job. Then we size the panels and layout around your roof, your shading and how your family uses power.
The result is a system that passes inspection the first time, connects cleanly to the grid and doesn't leave you with a surprise change order.
What your installation includes
- On-site assessment
- We measure the roof, check the condition of the shingles and decking, look at rafter spacing in the attic and inspect your main electrical panel. You get photos of anything worth discussing.
- System design and written estimate
- We lay out panel placement around vents, chimneys and shade, then size the inverter to match. The estimate is itemized, so you can see what goes to equipment, labor, electrical work and permits.
- Electrical tie-in checks
- Older homes often have smaller main panels or breakers that are no longer made. We confirm how the solar will connect and list any electrical work the connection needs on the estimate before you agree to anything.
- Permits and inspection
- We pull the city permit, schedule the inspection and meet the inspector. You don't have to chase paperwork or take a day off to wait around.
- Utility interconnection
- We file the interconnection paperwork so your system can be approved to run. We also explain how buyback works with your retail electric provider so you know what to ask them.
Signs solar makes sense for your home now
Summer bills are hard to stomach
When the hottest months bring your biggest electric bills, panels do their best work in those long, sunny afternoons when the air conditioner never seems to shut off.
Your roof has good years left
Panels sit on the roof for a long time. If your shingles are in solid shape, now is a good window. If they're near the end, we'll tell you honestly so you can plan the timing.
You're already updating the house
Many owners of older homes add solar while they're tackling other projects. Planning it together avoids opening walls or the attic twice.
You want backup power later
A system designed with a future battery in mind is easier to expand. If that's on your list, mention it and we'll plan around our battery storage work.
South or west roof faces with little shade
Open roof planes facing south or west produce the most. Trees can still work with careful layout, and we'll show you the trade-offs.
Your installation, step by step
- 1
A call to start
We ask how old your home is, what your bills look like and whether the roof or wiring has had work done. That tells us what to check when we come out.
- 2
Visit and what we find
We look over the roof, attic and electrical panel, take photos and explain everything we saw. No surprises tucked into fine print.
- 3
Design, estimate and permits
After you sign off on the design and written estimate, we handle the city permit and utility approval for you and call as each one is granted.
- 4
The install itself
Most home systems take one to three days to put in. We fasten mounts into rafters, seal each penetration, run tidy conduit along the house and keep debris out of the yard. Power goes off only for a short time during the final hookup.
- 5
Inspection and power-up
Once the inspector approves the work and the utility says go, we turn the system on. We show you how to track production in the monitoring app and walk around the finished job with you one last time.
What shapes the price of your system
Every home is priced on its own because every roof and electrical setup is different. We'd rather explain the reasons than give you a number that changes later. Here is what moves the cost most, and you'll see each one broken out on your estimate.
- System size
- The number of panels depends on how much power you use and how much of it you want solar to cover. More panels mean more equipment and labor.
- How easy the roof is to work on
- A tall house, a sharp slope or a roofline broken into lots of little sections means more setup, more safety equipment and more hours on site. One wide, open surface at a gentle angle goes much faster.
- Electrical panel condition
- If your main panel is older, full or uses breakers that are hard to find, the connection may need extra electrical work. We flag this during the visit so it's never a surprise.
- Equipment choices
- Panel efficiency, inverter type and whether you plan for a battery all change the price. We'll explain what each option gets you in plain terms.
Questions about solar panel installation
Something not covered here? (972) 636-4883
My house is older. Can it still get solar?
Usually, yes. Age matters less than condition. We check the rafters, the roof surface and the electrical panel, and if anything needs work first, we explain what and why before you commit.
Do I need a new roof before panels go on?
Not always. If your roof has plenty of life left, we can install right away. If it's close to needing replacement, we'll tell you, because removing and reinstalling panels later adds cost you can avoid with good timing.
Will the installation cause roof leaks?
Each mount is fastened into a rafter and sealed with flashing made for the purpose. We also look for soft decking or old patches before drilling, since those are where problems tend to start. You can read more on our Roof-Mounted Solar page.
How long until the system is running?
The installation itself is usually one to three days. The full timeline depends on permit review and utility approval, which can take a few weeks. We keep you updated at each step so you're not left wondering.
Can I add a battery later?
Yes. If you think you'll want backup power, tell us during design and we'll choose an inverter and layout that make adding one simpler. Our Battery Storage page covers how that works.
Let's look at your home together
Tell us a little about your house and your bills, and we'll set up a visit to check the roof, attic and electrical panel. You'll get straight answers and a written estimate you can understand.