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What to Expect When You Meet with a Solar Consultant

What to Expect When You Meet with a Solar Consultant

updated
1/29/2026

Deciding whether solar is right for your home can feel overwhelming. You may be wondering how it works, what it costs, which incentives apply, or whether it’s even worth exploring right now. That hesitation is completely normal—especially when you’re trying to make a smart, long-term decision for your home.

Some homeowners prefer a guided conversation. Others like to review options on their own first. Either way, our goal is the same: give you clear information without pressure.

A solar consultation isn’t about pushing you toward a decision. It’s about helping you understand your options so you can decide what’s right for you. Below, we’ll walk through what a solar consultation typically includes and answer some of the most common questions homeowners in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York have when exploring solar.

The Purpose of a Solar Consultation

A good solar consultation replaces uncertainty with clarity. Instead of generic online estimates or sales-heavy conversations, it focuses on real information tied to your home, your energy usage, and your goals.

Homeowners usually come into a consultation wanting answers to questions like:

  • Will solar actually work for my home?
  • How much of my electric bill could it offset?
  • What incentives apply where I live?
  • Is leasing or owning the better option?
  • How long does the process really take?

The consultation is designed to answer those questions clearly—without obligation.

What a Solar Consultation Covers

While every home is different, most consultations follow the same general structure.

Reviewing Your Energy Usage

The first step is understanding how your home uses electricity. This is typically done by reviewing recent utility bills to identify:

  • Your average monthly usage
  • Seasonal patterns
  • Opportunities to reduce or offset that usage with solar

This ensures any system discussed is sized realistically—no guessing and no inflated projections.

Evaluating Your Roof and Property

Your roof plays a major role in whether solar is a good fit. During a consultation, we look at:

  • Roof orientation and sun exposure
  • Shading from trees or nearby buildings
  • Roof age and condition
  • Available space for panel placement

This step helps determine feasibility before moving any further.

System Size and Layout

Based on your energy needs and roof layout, the consultant will explain:

  • Approximate system size
  • Expected energy production
  • How the system would connect to your home

This is an overview—not final engineering—but it gives you a clear picture of what solar would look like on your property.

Cost and Payment Options

Finally, the conversation turns to numbers. This includes:

  • Estimated system cost
  • Available incentives
  • Monthly payment comparisons versus your current electric bill

The goal is transparency, not pressure.

Leasing vs. Owning Solar Panels

One of the most common questions homeowners ask is whether they should lease solar panels or own them.

Owning Solar Panels

Pros

  • Greater long-term savings
  • Eligibility for incentives
  • Adds value to your home
  • No third-party ownership restrictions

Cons

  • Higher upfront cost unless financed

Leasing Solar Panels

Pros

  • Little to no upfront cost
  • Predictable monthly payments

Cons

  • Incentives go to the leasing company

A consultation helps you compare both options side by side so you can choose what aligns with your financial goals—not someone else’s.

Solar Incentives in NJ, PA, and NY

Solar incentives vary by state and can change over time, which is why understanding what applies today is important.

State-Level Incentives

  • New Jersey offers performance-based incentives and strong net metering policies
  • Pennsylvania supports solar through net metering and renewable energy credits
  • New York provides state incentives, utility programs, and favorable net metering

During a consultation, we explain which incentives apply to your home and how they affect real-world savings—without assumptions or inflated claims.

A Realistic Timeline: From Yes to Solar On

Once you decide to move forward, Solar Me handles the entire process. Permits, paperwork, utility coordination—we take care of it all so you don’t have to.

A typical timeline looks like this:

  • Design, permits, and utility approvals: 4–8 weeks
  • Installation day: Usually 1–2 days
  • Final inspection and utility permission to operate: 1–3 weeks

In some cases, the entire process can be completed in as little as one month, though timing depends on the state, utility company, and local township. Most projects are completed within one to two months, and we actively manage each step to keep things moving as efficiently as possible.

For you, it’s simple:

Agree to move forward—and we do everything else.

No Pressure—Just Clarity

Whether you prefer a guided conversation or a more self-directed way of reviewing your options, our approach stays the same: clarity first, pressure never.

A solar consultation doesn’t lock you into anything. It gives you the information you need to make a confident decision—now or later—on your own terms.

If you’re a homeowner in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or New York, you can request a quote or book a call to learn more. Even one conversation can replace uncertainty with understanding and help you decide whether solar is the right fit for your home.

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