Homeowners looking to cash in on solar energy’s excellent benefits often are unsure of where to start or what to expect. The solar discovery journey may seem daunting at first, but with the longest-standing solar company by your side, you’ll receive proper guidance every step of the way.

Perhaps one of the easiest ways to dip your toe into the process of going solar is by testing out the SunPower Design Studio. Start by entering your address and within seconds you’ll get a rendering of your home to visualize how many solar panels you’ll need to serve your unique energy needs. 

Once you’re done trying your hand at solar design, you can set up an in-person or virtual appointment to get a detailed custom quote. SunPower’s growing team is filled with professionals that have the experience and training to tailor your home’s solar system for maximum efficiency. 

To kick things off, a SunPower energy consultant or certified dealer will want to know about two main things. The first is the size of your home – specifically, the square footage and how much space there is for putting solar panels on the roof or elsewhere on the property. The second factor is your home’s energy usage. 

Naturally, a SunPower energy consultant will want to find out about your current electricity usage. But they’ll also take time to examine your future plans. For instance, are you expecting children? Do you work from home? Looking to install a pool? Or are you planning to buy an electric vehicle? These additions could greatly affect your utility bill and should be considered during the design phase. Consultants will also look over local trends and regulations that affect energy use. 

SunPower dealers can usually produce a custom quote fairly quickly. If you were to accept this quote and move forward, you would be scheduled for a site survey so that dealers could get a closer look at your home. This visit enables them to identify any structural challenges like plumbing vents, chimneys and skylights. 

The length of the installation process can vary from location to location, depending on building codes, permitting rules and homeowners associations. Separate permits may be required during the design, installation and completion phases. In some cases, homeowners can get a SunPower system installed a couple of weeks after contacting the dealer. In others, several weeks or even months may pass before it’s all finalized. Keep in mind that the bigger the project, the longer this may take. 

Fortunately, your SunPower dealer will provide you with a project manager that knows how to guide the solar project through the permitting and building process as seamlessly as possible. The project manager will mediate most contact with the utility while managing the construction and keeping you updated about its progress. They will also work closely with an interconnection coordinator who will handle the technical end of matching the solar system with the utility company’s gear.

Your SunPower solar system can become a great asset for your home and can even help increase its value. Solar power greatly reduces – or even eliminates – electricity costs for homeowners and can even help them to benefit from net energy metering. Your investment will also be backed by SunPower’s industry-leading Complete Confidence Warranty. 

This post originally appeared on the SunPower Resources Blog