Guide
Rooftop solar panel installation: the process step by step
Putting solar panels on a roof is more than a one-day mounting job. It runs through several stages from survey to handover. This guide explains what happens at each stage, what you are asked for and what to ask the installer.
Short answer
A rooftop solar energy system usually follows this order: a consumption and roof pre-check, a site survey, system design, the grid connection application and approvals, materials and mounting, commissioning and handover, then monitoring and maintenance. The timeline depends on the roof, the system size and the approval steps. The right start is getting survey-based bids from more than one firm.
This guide was prepared by the Ufkon editorial team and reviewed on 19 Oct 2026. It is for information only and does not replace legal, financial or technical advice.
Rooftop solar in seven steps
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01 Pre-check
Collect 12 months of consumption and the roof details (type, area, orientation, shading). The capacity calculator gives an approximate size in kWp; it is only a starting estimate.
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02 Site survey
The installer inspects the roof: dimensions, pitch, orientation, shading, the covering, the structure and the electrical panel. Large or older roofs may need a structural assessment. Treat a price given without a survey as indicative.
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03 Design
Panel layout, panel and inverter choice, string design, cable routes, protection and earthing are drawn up. The estimated annual yield is calculated here, with its assumptions.
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04 Application and approvals
A grid-connected system needs a connection application and related approvals. The documents and the order of steps depend on the connection type and current rules; agree in writing who handles this and whether its cost is included.
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05 Materials and mounting
The mounting structure is fixed, panels are placed, DC and AC cabling is laid, and the inverter and protection devices are installed. Work safety measures are part of this stage.
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06 Commissioning and handover
Electrical tests are run, the system is switched on and monitoring is set up. The handover record should list the installed capacity, serial numbers, test results and documents delivered.
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07 Monitoring and maintenance
Watch the yield; a gap from the expected output is the first sign of soiling or a fault. Put the maintenance scope and fault response time in the contract.
What to check by roof type
Solar panels are not fixed to every roof the same way. The mounting method affects both waterproofing and load. The table sums up common roof types and what to discuss during the survey.
| Roof type | Common mounting | Ask during the survey |
|---|---|---|
| Trapezoidal metal sheet | Rails or clamps matched to the sheet profile | Sheet thickness, purlin spacing, sealing at fixing points |
| Tiled roof | Hooks fixed to the structure under the tiles, plus rails | Broken tiles, condition of the timber or concrete below |
| Membrane (flat or low pitch) | Ballasted or mechanically anchored systems | Membrane age and warranty, structural check of added load |
| Concrete terrace | Tilted frames with ballast or anchors | Row shading, waterproofing, wind load |
Roof age and condition
Solar panel systems are built to run for many years. If the roof covering needs renewing soon, doing it before installation avoids removing and refitting the panels later.
Orientation, pitch and shade
South-facing surfaces usually give the highest yield; east and west also work and spread output over the day. Shade from a chimney, a building or a tree can pull down a whole string, which changes the inverter choice.
Information and documents you may be asked for
The list depends on the connection and the building; your installer and the local distribution company give the final list. These items speed things up:
- The last 12 months of electricity bills and the meter (subscriber) number
- Title deed or proof of the right to use the roof; written owner consent if you rent
- For a shared roof, the decision of the building management or owners
- Building or structural drawings, or an earlier structural assessment, if any
- Photos of the electrical panel and the meter section
Rules on applications and grid connection are issued by the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK) and published in the Official Gazette. This guide does not interpret any specific regulation; confirm the rule for your project with the official source.
The renewable energy rule for new buildings
New buildings with a total construction area of 2,000 m2 or more must be built as nearly zero-energy buildings (NZEB): class B or better on the energy performance certificate and at least 10% of primary energy demand met by on-site renewable energy. Rooftop solar is one of the most practical ways to meet this share, but not the only one. See the NZEB guide for details.
Points to agree with the installer
Ask for written answers to these questions at the bid stage:
- Will the firm's own team do the mounting, or a subcontractor?
- Will the roof be drilled, how is it sealed and who warrants the sealing?
- Who handles the application and approvals, and is the cost included?
- What are the schedule, the acceptance criteria and the documents delivered?
- Who do you contact for a fault, through which channel and how fast?
Use the quote comparison points to line up bids. Ufkon never installs; when you create a project request your name stays sealed and interested approved firms unlock it and message you on the platform. See how it works.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a rooftop solar installation take?
On a home, mounting is usually a matter of days; the survey, design and approval stages set the overall timeline. Ask the firm for a stage-by-stage schedule.
Is my roof suitable for solar panels?
Orientation, pitch, shade, usable area and the structure decide. The site survey gives the final answer; for a first idea use the capacity calculator.
Will mounting damage my roof?
With the right mounting system and workmanship the roof stays watertight. Ask in writing which method is used, whether the roof is drilled and who warrants the sealing.
Can panels go on an apartment roof?
The roof is a shared area, so approval from the management or owners is usually required; check the form of decision with a lawyer or the building management. Agree the connection and who owns the output in advance.
Does Ufkon do the installation?
No. Ufkon never installs and takes no commission. Approved firms that see your project request reach you; you sign directly with the firm you choose.
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