Your Project Solar Installation Journey: A Step-by-Step Guide
What to Expect After You Sign Up
Signing up for solar is the big decision. Everything that follows is Project Solar doing the work. This guide walks you through each stage of your installation journey in plain English, so you always know where things stand, what is happening behind the scenes, and when you can expect to hear from the team next.
A few things worth knowing before you start:
- The journey has several stages covering admin, grid paperwork, technical checks, scheduling and post-installation documentation.
- Not every customer follows the same route. The grid approval process depends on your system size and property, which means some customers will see more steps than others.
- Some stages are quieter than others. Waiting at certain points is completely normal and usually means work is progressing in the background.
- Physical installation is typically completed in one to two days – but the overall timeline is shaped more by approvals and scheduling than by the roof work itself.
Key Terms Explained: DNO, G98 and G99
A few technical terms come up during the installation process. Here is what they mean in plain English.
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| DNO | Your Distribution Network Operator – the regional company responsible for the electricity network in your area. For certain solar installations, they need to be notified or give approval before or after your system goes live. |
| G98 | Covers smaller solar systems (typically up to 3.68kW on a single-phase supply). Under G98, your installer completes the work first and then notifies your DNO within 28 days. No prior approval is needed. |
| G99 | The approval process for larger or more complex systems. A G99 application must be submitted and accepted before installation can go ahead. |
| G99 Fast Track | A streamlined G99 route for systems that meet certain technical criteria. Eligible applications receive instant acknowledgement and acceptance to proceed is typically issued within around 10 working days. |
| G99 Full Application | A more detailed review for systems that do not qualify for fast track. This takes longer because it involves a fuller technical assessment by the DNO. |
Not every customer will go through all of these. Project Solar will always confirm which route applies to your installation.
Stage 1: Getting Started
What’s happening: Your agreement is confirmed, your deposit is received, and your contract is in place. Project Solar sets up your project and begins the groundwork – reviewing your system design, confirming your details, and identifying which grid approval route applies to your installation.
What you’ll receive: A confirmation that your deposit has been received and your contract is in place.
What to expect next: Depending on your system, the next step will either be a grid application to your DNO (if G99 approval is required) or a move straight into scheduling and technical review (for smaller G98 systems).
Good to know: This stage moves quickly. Once your paperwork is confirmed, the team gets to work on the steps that follow.
Stage 2: Grid Approval (G99 Customers Only)
What’s happening: If your system requires G99 approval, Project Solar submits a formal application to your Distribution Network Operator requesting permission to connect your solar system to the grid. Depending on your system’s technical specification, this will follow either the fast-track or full application route.
- Fast track: Eligible applications receive instant acknowledgement. Acceptance to proceed is typically issued within around 10 working days.
- Full application: Involves a more detailed technical review by your DNO. This takes longer, and timescales vary depending on your regional network operator.
What you’ll receive: An update from Project Solar once your DNO responds, confirming that approval has been granted and installation can be scheduled.
What to expect next: Once approval is confirmed, your project moves into scheduling, technical appraisal and scaffolding.
Good to know: This stage involves a third party – your DNO – so response times are outside Project Solar’s direct control. If your application is taking longer than expected, the team will keep you informed.
Stage 3: Scheduling Your Installation
What’s happening: With any required grid approval in place, Project Solar confirms your installation date, arranges a technical appraisal of your property and system design, and books scaffolding where needed. These steps may happen in parallel or in quick succession.
- Technical appraisal: A review of your property and system design to confirm everything is ready for installation day. This helps avoid any surprises on the day itself.
- Scaffolding: Where required, scaffolding is typically erected around 48 hours before your installation date. The Project Solar team coordinates this directly with the scaffolding contractor.
- Installation date confirmation: Once everything is in place, your installation date is locked in and you will receive a reminder as the date approaches.
What you’ll receive: Confirmation of your installation date, and a reminder 24 hours before the team arrives.
What to expect next: Your installation day.
Good to know: Coordinating the installation team, scaffolding and technical appraisal across multiple parties means this stage can take a short time to arrange. A confirmed date means everything is lined up and ready.
Stage 4: Installation Day
What’s happening: The Project Solar installation team arrives and fits your solar system. Most residential installations are completed within one to two days. The team will need clear access to your roof, loft space and consumer unit.
What you’ll receive: A 24-hour reminder the day before, and a completion call from the Project Solar team once the installation is finished.
What to expect next: The completion call is your opportunity to ask any questions about your new system and confirm that everything has been finished to your satisfaction. Post-installation paperwork and grid notifications follow shortly after.
Good to know: The physical installation is often the quickest part of the whole journey. The stages that follow are just as important – they make your installation official, compliant and fully documented.
Stage 5: After Your Installation
What’s happening: Once your panels are on the roof, Project Solar takes care of the remaining steps to close out your project properly. These run in the background and do not require anything from you unless the team gets in touch.
- Grid notification: Project Solar submits the required paperwork to your DNO. For G98 customers, this is a notification sent within 28 days of commissioning. For G99 customers, a post-commissioning confirmation is submitted following installation. Either way, this step ensures your system is properly recorded with your regional network operator.
- Scaffolding removal: Where scaffolding was erected, the contractor will return to remove it. Timing depends on the contractor’s schedule, but Project Solar will keep you informed.
- Completion and warranty documents: Your official completion paperwork and warranty documents are prepared and sent to you, confirming the work carried out and covering your equipment and workmanship guarantees.
What you’ll receive: Completion documents and warranty documents.
Good to know: This stage can feel quiet from a customer perspective, but several important steps are being completed on your behalf. No news during this period is generally good news.
Stage 6: All Done
What’s happening: Your installation journey is complete. Your system is live, your paperwork is in order, and your DNO has been notified.
By the end of your journey, you should have received all of the following:
- A completion call confirming your installation is finished
- DNO notification or confirmation submitted on your behalf (G98 or G99 as applicable)
- Scaffolding removed from your property
- Completion documents confirming the work carried out
- Warranty documents covering your equipment and workmanship
Keep your completion and warranty documents somewhere safe. You may need them for home insurance purposes, future property sales or if you ever need to make a warranty claim.
If anything from the list above has not arrived within a reasonable period after your installation date, contact the Project Solar support team.
When to Contact Project Solar Support
Most of the time, the best thing to do is let the process run. But there are situations where getting in touch is the right call. Contact the Project Solar support team if:
- Your project has not progressed within the timeframe you were given at your last communication touchpoint
- You were asked to provide a document or piece of information, have already done so, but have not received an update
- Your confirmed installation date has passed without any contact from the team
- You have sent a message and not received a response within a reasonable period
- You have a question about access requirements, equipment delivery or anything else ahead of your installation
When you get in touch, having your customer reference number to hand will help the team locate your project quickly.
