Are you thinking about installing solar panels while renovating your home? The best time to install solar is during a home renovation — it saves time, money, and effort. At Uprise Solar, we specialize in seamlessly integrating solar energy systems into home remodeling projects. Here’s how to plan your home renovation with solar panels in mind.
How to Work with Your General Contractor and Uprise Solar on a Home Renovation
Here are a few things to think about while coordinating with your general contractor to ensure a smooth solar installation without delays or extra costs.
1. Size the Solar System Before Running Wires
Wires are a key part of a solar array, so the electricity generated by panels can be usable in your home! Before any wiring begins, we determine the size of your solar array to ensure the right wire gauge and conduit size are used. Skipping this step can lead to rewiring, project delays, and extra costs.
Here’s more about what goes into a solar design.
2. Plan for Electrical Conduit Early
One of the most important steps is making sure electrical conduit — metal tubing protecting electrical wires — is routed correctly before walls are sealed. If your drywall is open, we recommend installing Romex wiring for a clean finish. If the conduit needs to run externally, Uprise Solar typically installs a 1 to 1.5 inch conduit from the roof to the main service panel.
Pro Tip: Handling this step during renovation prevents costly drywall cuts and additional labor later!
3. Finish Roofing Before Installing Solar Panels
If your home renovation includes a new roof, make sure all roofing work is completed before your solar installation.
Need a new roof? Uprise Solar can help with that, too! We’re not just a solar company, but a roofing company as well! We’ve joined forces with roofer TJ Bobbitt, who has almost 30 years of experience in the DMV under his tool belt, to offer our customers roofing as well as solar services.
Note: we can pre-run wiring for a solar array and leave it in a rooftop junction box. That way, when the roof is finished, we can quickly install the solar panels without disrupting your brand-new roof.
4. Let Uprise Solar Handle Permits and Utility Interconnection
To streamline your solar panel installation, Uprise manages the permits and Pepco utility interconnection process. If your general contractor’s electrician has done an electrical load calculation, providing it to us can help speed up interconnection approval and prevent delays.
Tips to Avoid Additional Costs for Your Home Renovation Plus Solar
To sum up, in order to keep your renovation on track and avoid unexpected expenses, follow these steps in order:
✅ Determine the solar system size
✅ Install wiring/conduit before closing up drywall
✅ Finish roofing work before panel installation
✅ Provide load calculations for faster utility approval
Partner with Uprise Solar for a Smooth Process
When you work with Uprise, we coordinate directly with your general contractor to ensure every step aligns with your home renovation schedule. This avoids costly changes and makes your solar installation as seamless as possible.
Planning a home renovation and thinking about solar? Contact Uprise today, and let’s start the conversation!