Are you ordering a solar panel system and feel as though the installer is taking your money and disappearing for a few weeks? That’s normal — but only if you know what’s going on behind the scenes. In this article, we explain installation of photovoltaic panels just as it really is: from the very first phone call right through to the moment the meter starts ticking in the right direction. The customer’s perspective, not a technical catalogue.
Before the team arrives — what happens before the solar panels are installed?
The installation of a solar panel system is the final stage of a process that begins several weeks earlier. Many customers think that signing the contract means the installation date is set. In reality, there are several important steps between the decision and the drills hitting the roof.
Step 0 — audit and project planning (before signing the contract)
Every professional installation begins with a visit from a technician or engineer to your roof. During the site survey, we measure the roof area, check its orientation and pitch, assess the condition of the roof tiles and rafters in terms of load-bearing capacity, identify potential shading and analyse your electricity bills from the last 12 months.
On this basis, the installation design is drawn up: the number and layout of the panels, the selection of the inverter and energy storage system, the selection of safety devices, and the location of the inverter and other components. Without an audit, there can be no good design — without a design, there can be no reliable installation.
The specific nature of auditing in the Tri-City: In Pomerania, during the audit, we also check the exposure to wind, the condition of the roof sealing at the rafters, the distance from the shoreline (which determines the choice of IEC 61701 panel certification for the coastal zone) and the team’s access to the roof — in the densely built-up areas of Wrzeszcz or Gdynia city centre, this can sometimes be a logistical challenge.
A day in the life of a solar panel installation, from the inside
The day of installation is the only stage that you, as the customer, see in person. It’s worth knowing what’s happening and in what order — so that you can assess whether the team is working properly.
STEP 1 · Preparation and unloading of materials · 7.30–8.30 am
The team arrives with a van loaded with solar panels, the mounting structure and electrical boxes. The first hour is spent unloading, checking the materials and discussing with you the location of the inverter and the cable route inside the building. This is the time when it’s worth being at home to ask any questions you may have.
STEP 2 · Installing the structure on the roof · 8.30–11.00
Fitters climb onto the roof and install aluminium or steel rails to which the panels will be attached. The mounting hooks are screwed into the roof rafters — this is a crucial step: the hooks must be positioned precisely within the rafters.
STEP 3 · Installation of solar panels · 11:00–13:00
The panels are lifted onto the roof and secured to the rails using clamps. At the same time, they are connected into strings using MC4 connectors. Important: the panels remain live at all times — even when the sky is overcast and the inverter is switched off.
STEP 4 · Laying DC cabling · 13:00–14:30
The DC cables run from the roof through a feed-through (a special sealed bushing) into the room housing the inverter. The route must be protected against moisture and UV radiation — which is particularly important in Pomerania due to the salty air. The cables are routed through cable trays or protective conduits.
STEP 5 · Installation of the inverter and energy storage system · 14:30–16:30
The inverter is wall-mounted (usually in the boiler room, garage or outdoors under a roof). If the system includes an energy storage unit, this is installed alongside it — it can weigh between 80 and 200 kg, so the location must be prepared in advance. Once the DC cabling has been connected, the EMS is programmed and integrated with the mobile app.
STEP 6 · Connecting the AC, measurements and documentation · 16:30–18:00
The electrician connects the inverter to the fuse board on the AC side and installs the necessary protective devices. They then carry out electrical tests: earth continuity, insulation resistance and short-circuit current measurement.
STEP 7 · Launch and training · 6.00 pm–7.00 pm
The inverter is being switched on for the first time. The first kilowatt-hours are visible on the mobile app. The installer walks you through how to use the app: how to read the generation and self-consumption graphs, how to set the battery’s operating mode, and where to report any issues.
Once the solar panels have been installed — we’ll take care of the paperwork
The physical installation is just the start, not the end. The system must be registered before it can legally start feeding energy into the grid. Here’s what happens next:
- Report to Energa Operator (1–3 working days) — The installer submits the documents via the DSO portal: technical details of the installation and component certificates. In the case of an energy storage system, this is also declared.
- Replacement or reprogramming of the meter (5–30 days) — Energa Operator is coming to replace the meter with a bidirectional one. This is the point from which the installation can legally operate in prosumer mode.
- Prosumer agreement and confirmation of status (up to 30 days) — You will receive documents confirming your prosumer status by post. These are required when applying for grants from the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management (NFOŚiGW) or for the thermal modernisation tax relief.
- Final EMS configuration (optional, remote) — After a few weeks of operation, the SolLab system can remotely fine-tune the EMS settings based on real-time data on your home’s energy consumption.
Actual waiting times in the Tri-City: During the peak season (May–August), the time from submission of the request to the replacement of the meter by Energa Operator is on average 2–3 weeks. Outside the peak season, it is 1–2 weeks. The system physically generates energy immediately after installation, but will not feed any surplus back into the grid until the meter has been replaced.
Photovoltaic installation timeline — from initial contact to commissioning
| Stage | Duration | What's going on? |
|---|---|---|
| Audit and project | 3–7 days | Site survey, installation design, final quotation |
| Signing the contract → installation date | 2–4 weeks | Waiting for a free slot with the team (during the season: longer) |
| Installation day | 1–2 days | All mechanical and electrical installation, commissioning of the inverter |
| Application to Energa Operator | 1–3 working days | The installer submits the documents online to the DSO |
| Meter replacement by Energa | 5–30 days | OSD is coming to replace or reprogram the meter |
| Prosumer status + contract | Up to 30 days | You have received confirmation — you can now apply for grants |
| IN TOTAL, from signing to full-time work | 2–6 weeks | Depending on the season and Energa Operator’s response time |
What factors affect the cost of installing solar panels?
The installation cost is always included in the total quote for the system and depends on several technical factors. Every installation is unique — which is why an accurate quote requires a visit from a technician, rather than prices being quoted over the phone. More information on industry standards is available at International Energy Agency.
- Type and complexity of the roof — A standard gable roof is the simplest design. A mansard roof, a hipped roof or a flat roof requiring adjustable trusses — these involve extra work and different components
- Accessibility of the building — in the densely built-up areas of the Tri-City, access for heavy goods vehicles carrying building materials can sometimes be restricted
- Length of the cable route — the further the distance from the roof to the fuse box and the inverter, the more materials and labour are required
- Installation of an energy storage facility — A 100–200 kg storage unit requires a designated space and additional time for EMS programming and stand-alone operation testing
- Coastal area — installations closer to the Baltic Sea require certified anti-corrosion components (hooks, rails, IP68-rated MC4 connectors)
- Number of roof slopes and orientation — installation on a single southern roof slope is simpler than installing it across both the southern and eastern slopes
- Power optimisers — if there is shade or several roof slopes, it is worth considering them
Warning signs — how can you spot an untrustworthy company?
| Warning signal | What does this mean in practice? |
|---|---|
| The company will not carry out a site visit prior to providing a quote | A project carried out without a roof survey is a shot in the dark — it may result in an unsuitable system or installation errors |
| Quotation without an installation plan | An installation plan is required by law — the absence of one suggests that the company is cutting corners on safety |
| The installer does not hold UDT or SEP certificates | The installation of electrical systems requires SEP and/or UDT certification. Without these, the warranty may be invalid |
| The installation time for „one team” is less than 4 hours | Proper installation of the system, including the storage unit, takes 1–3 days. Faster = shortcuts in the cabling or documentation |
| The company does not report the installation to the DSO on your behalf | This is a standard part of the service. If you have to do it yourself — ask why |
Summary — what should you expect when installing a solar panel system?
- The entire process, from initial contact to full launch: 2–6 weeks (Most of the time is spent waiting for the OSD, not for the installer)
- Installation time: 1–2 days — You need to be at home at the start and end of the installation
- Installation cost — to be quoted on a case-by-case basis, depending on the complexity of the roof, the cable route and the location. Always included in the full quote — with no hidden extras
- Post-installation formalities — notification to the distribution system operator, meter replacement, prosumer contract — the installer takes care of everything, not you
- In the Tri-City: Coastal conditions, Wind Zone II and Energa Operator procedures — choose an installer with knowledge of the local market
Book a free audit and quote for the installation of solar panels — SolLab Trójmiasto
We’ll come out for a site visit, inspect the roof, select the right system and provide a realistic installation schedule. We’ll register the installations with Energa Operator ourselves and handle all the paperwork required for the grant. We operate in Gdańsk, Gdynia, Sopot and throughout the Pomeranian Voivodeship.
Book a free quote → · +48 608 435 001 · biuro@sollab.pl
FAQ — installation of solar panels
How long does it take to install solar panels?
The physical installation on the roof takes 1–2 days for a standard 5–10 kWp domestic system with energy storage. Taking into account the administrative procedures — notification to the distribution system operator (DSO) and meter replacement by Energa Operator — it usually takes 2–6 weeks from signing the contract to full commissioning.
How much does it cost to install a solar panel system?
The installation of a photovoltaic system is always included in the overall system quote — it is not quoted for separately. The cost depends on the complexity of the roof, the length of the cable run, the installation of energy storage, and local conditions. An accurate quote requires a visit from a technical adviser — a free on-site survey by SolLab will clarify all these issues.
What happens on the day the solar panels are installed?
The team arrives in the morning (around 7.30–8.00) and begins by erecting the structure on the roof; they then fit the panels, run the DC cabling to the inverter, connect the inverter and the AC protection devices, commission the system and configure the mobile app. At the end of the day, they carry out electrical measurements and document the handover with a handover report.
Do I need to be at home whilst the solar panels are being installed?
Not all day, but in the morning when the team arrives and during handover — yes. The installer needs access to the distribution board and the inverter inside the building. It’s worth being there when the work is completed so you can go through the app and discuss the system configuration.
How long does it take to submit a photovoltaic application to Energa Operator?
It takes the installer 1–3 working days to submit the installation notification to Energa Operator. Energa then has up to 30 days to replace or reprogramme the meter. In practice, in the Tri-City during the peak season (April–August), the waiting time is 1–2 weeks.
Does the installation of a photovoltaic system require planning permission?
For small-scale PV installations of up to 50 kW on the roof of a residential building — no planning permission is required; only a notification to the distribution system operator (Energa Operator) is needed. The exception is buildings under heritage protection (parts of Gdańsk’s Old Town and Wrzeszcz) — in these cases, consent from the heritage conservation officer is required.
