Introduction
Deciding to install solar panels is exciting, but many homeowners feel uncertain about what happens next. This comprehensive guide walks you through every step of the solar installation process in Cyprus, from initial consultation to flipping the switch on your new system.
Understanding the process helps set realistic expectations, prepare your property, and ensure a smooth installation experience.
Overview: The Complete Timeline
A typical solar installation in Cyprus takes 6-12 weeks from signing a contract to generating power. Here's the breakdown:
- Weeks 1-2: Site survey and system design
- Weeks 2-4: Permit applications and approvals
- Week 5: Equipment procurement
- Week 6: Physical installation (1-3 days)
- Weeks 7-10: Inspections and approvals
- Weeks 10-12: Grid connection and activation
Let's dive into each phase in detail.
Phase 1: Initial Consultation and Assessment (Week 1)
What Happens
After requesting quotes through a service like Comparisun, installers will contact you to schedule a site visit. During this visit, they will:
- Inspect your roof structure and condition
- Measure available roof space
- Check roof orientation and pitch
- Identify potential shading issues
- Examine your electrical panel and meter
- Discuss your energy goals and budget
- Take photos and measurements
What You Need to Prepare
- Recent electricity bills (12 months if possible)
- Property title deeds
- Knowledge of any planned home improvements
- Questions about warranties, maintenance, etc.
Questions to Ask
- What brands of panels and inverters do you recommend and why?
- What warranties are included?
- Who handles the permit applications?
- What's the total timeline?
- What happens if something goes wrong?
- Do you provide monitoring systems?
- What maintenance is required?
Phase 2: System Design and Proposal (Week 1-2)
What Happens
The installer creates a custom system design based on the site assessment. This includes:
- Exact panel layout and positioning
- Number and type of solar panels
- Inverter selection and placement
- Mounting system specifications
- Electrical design and wiring plan
- Expected energy production estimates
- Financial projections and ROI calculations
The Proposal Document
A comprehensive proposal should include:
- System specifications: Panel make/model, inverter details, mounting type
- Production estimates: Monthly and annual expected generation
- Financial breakdown: Total cost, available subsidies, payment terms
- Timeline: From installation to activation
- Warranties: Equipment and workmanship guarantees
- Maintenance: What's included and what's not
Review Carefully
Don't rush this stage. Compare proposals from multiple installers, focusing on:
- Quality of equipment (not just price)
- Warranty terms
- Company reputation and experience
- Installation timeline
- Post-installation support
Phase 3: Contract Signing and Deposit (Week 2)
What Happens
Once you've chosen an installer, you'll sign a contract and typically pay a deposit (usually 30-50% of total cost).
Contract Must Include
- Detailed equipment specifications
- Total project cost and payment schedule
- Installation timeline
- Warranty terms
- Responsibilities of each party
- What happens if permits are denied
- Cancellation policies
- Post-installation support
Red Flags to Watch For
- Pressure to sign immediately
- Requests for full payment upfront
- Vague equipment descriptions
- Missing warranty information
- No clear timeline
- Unwillingness to answer questions
Phase 4: Permit Applications (Weeks 2-4)
What Permits Are Needed
In Cyprus, solar installations require several permits and approvals:
1. Planning Permit (from Municipality)
- Required for most installations
- Processing time: 1-2 weeks
- Fee: €50-€100
2. Building Permit (from District Office)
- Required for structural modifications
- Processing time: 2-4 weeks
- Fee: Based on system size
3. EAC Approval (from Electricity Authority)
- Required for grid connection
- Net metering application
- Processing time: 2-4 weeks
- Fee: €100-€300 depending on system size
4. Final Electrical Inspection Certificate
- Required after installation
- Performed by certified electrical engineer
- Fee: €200-€400
Who Handles Permits?
Reputable installers handle all permit applications on your behalf. This is included in your installation cost. They will need you to provide:
- Copy of ID/passport
- Property title deeds
- Recent electricity bill
- Signatures on application forms
What If Permits Are Denied?
Permit denials are rare but can happen due to:
- Listed building restrictions
- HOA regulations
- Grid capacity limitations
- Structural concerns
Your contract should specify what happens in this case (usually full refund).
Phase 5: Equipment Procurement (Week 5)
What Happens
Once permits are approved, the installer orders your equipment. This includes:
- Solar panels
- Inverter(s)
- Mounting system (rails, clamps, flashings)
- Electrical components (cables, breakers, disconnects)
- Monitoring system
Shipping and Logistics
Equipment typically arrives from European or Asian manufacturers. Lead times vary:
- Standard equipment: 1-2 weeks
- Popular brands during high season: 3-4 weeks
- Special orders or shortages: 4-8 weeks
You'll be notified when equipment arrives and installation can be scheduled.
Phase 6: Pre-Installation Preparation (Week 5-6)
What You Should Do
Roof Preparation
- Repair any roof damage before installation
- Clean the roof area
- Trim overhanging trees
- Clear attic space if inverter goes inside
Access Preparation
- Ensure clear path to roof access point
- Move any outdoor furniture or obstacles
- Inform neighbors (ladders and equipment may extend into their space)
- Arrange for dogs/pets to be secured
Electrical Panel
- Clear space around your electrical panel
- Note any concerns about your electrical system
- Discuss panel upgrade if needed (some old panels need updating)
Final Pre-Installation Checklist
- Confirm installation date and time
- Arrange to be home (or designate someone)
- Take photos of your roof before installation
- Ensure payment is ready (often 40% due before installation)
Phase 7: Installation Day (Week 6)
Timeline
A typical residential solar installation takes 1-3 days depending on system size:
- 3-5 kW system: 1-2 days
- 5-8 kW system: 2 days
- 8-10 kW system: 2-3 days
Day 1: Mounting and Panels
Morning (8:00 AM - 12:00 PM)
- Team arrives: Usually 2-4 installers with equipment
- Safety setup: Scaffolding or safety harnesses
- Roof inspection: Final check before work begins
- Mounting system installation: Rails attached to roof
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 5:00 PM)
- Panel installation: Mounting panels on rails
- Wiring panels: Connecting panels in series/parallel
- Inverter mounting: Inside or outside based on design
- Cable routing: From roof to inverter to panel
Day 2: Electrical Work (if needed)
Morning
- AC wiring: From inverter to electrical panel
- Breaker installation: Dedicated circuit for solar
- Meter installation: Production meter and monitoring
- Grounding: Ensuring proper earthing
Afternoon
- System testing: Checking voltages and connections
- Monitoring setup: Configuring app and display
- Cleanup: Removing all debris and equipment
- Walkthrough: Showing you how everything works
What to Expect During Installation
- Noise: Drilling, hammering, and equipment sounds
- Power outages: Electricity may be off for 1-2 hours during electrical work
- Roof access: Installers will be on your roof
- Questions: Installers may need to confirm placement or make minor adjustments
Your Responsibilities
- Be available for questions
- Provide access to electricity and water
- Keep pets and children away from work area
- Take photos for your records
- Review the work before team leaves
Phase 8: Post-Installation Inspection (Weeks 7-8)
What Happens
After installation, several inspections are required before the system can be activated:
1. Installer Self-Inspection
- Completed immediately after installation
- Checks all connections and functionality
- Ensures compliance with design
2. Electrical Engineer Inspection
- Independent certified engineer inspection
- Issues electrical completion certificate
- Required for EAC grid connection approval
- Cost: Usually included in installation price
3. Municipality Inspection (if required)
- Verifies compliance with building permit
- Checks structural safety
- Issues completion certificate
Common Issues Found During Inspection
Minor issues are easily fixed:
- Loose connections that need tightening
- Missing labels or documentation
- Improper grounding
- Cable management improvements
Reputable installers will fix any issues immediately at no cost.
Phase 9: Grid Connection Application (Weeks 8-10)
What Happens
With inspection certificates in hand, the installer submits final documents to EAC (Cyprus Electricity Authority) for grid connection approval:
- Electrical completion certificate
- System specifications
- Installer certifications
- Net metering agreement
EAC Review Process
- Application review: 1-2 weeks
- Site inspection: EAC may inspect (not always required)
- Meter programming: Your meter is configured for net metering
- Final approval: Permission to operate issued
Net Metering Agreement
This legal agreement specifies:
- System size and capacity
- Metering arrangement
- Billing and credit structure
- Terms and conditions
- Both parties' responsibilities
Read this carefully and keep a copy for your records.
Phase 10: System Activation (Week 10-12)
The Big Switch
Once EAC approval is received, your installer returns to activate your system:
- Final system check: Verify everything is ready
- Inverter activation: Turn on the system
- Grid synchronization: System connects to grid
- Monitoring activation: App and display start working
- Production verification: Confirm solar generation
Handover and Training
Your installer should provide comprehensive training:
- How to read your monitoring system
- What the inverter lights/displays mean
- How net metering works on your bill
- Basic troubleshooting
- Maintenance requirements
- Warranty information
- Emergency contact information
Final Payment
The remaining balance (typically 20-30%) is due upon system activation. Don't pay until:
- System is producing power
- You've received all documentation
- You're satisfied with the installation
- You've confirmed warranty registration
Phase 11: The First Month
What to Monitor
During your first month with solar, pay attention to:
1. Daily Production
- Check your monitoring app daily
- Production should match estimates (± 20%)
- Note weather impacts on production
2. System Performance
- Inverter should show green/normal status
- No error messages or warnings
- All panels should be producing
3. Electricity Bills
- Your first bill will show reduced consumption
- Net metering credits will appear
- Compare before/after usage
Common First-Month Questions
Q: Why is production lower than expected?
A: Could be weather, seasonal variation, or shading. Monitor for a full month before raising concerns.
Q: The inverter displays an error. What do I do?
A: Most errors are temporary (grid fluctuations). If it persists for more than an hour, contact your installer.
Q: I'm still paying for electricity. Is something wrong?
A: No, you'll still have some electricity costs. Solar typically offsets 70-100% of usage, but not always 100%.
Q: When will I see savings on my bill?
A: Your next bill after activation should show reduced consumption. Full savings are visible after 2-3 billing cycles.
Ongoing Maintenance
Year 1
- Monitor production regularly
- Clean panels if dusty (2-4 times per year)
- Trim any new tree growth causing shade
- Schedule first annual inspection
Years 2-25
- Annual professional inspection recommended
- Clean panels as needed
- Check inverter performance
- Monitor for any physical damage
- Keep vegetation trimmed
Warranty Coverage
Typical warranties include:
- Panels: 25 years product, 30 years performance
- Inverter: 5-10 years (extendable to 20)
- Installation workmanship: 2-10 years
- Monitoring system: 5-10 years
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Low Production
Possible causes:
- Seasonal variation (winter produces less)
- Shading from new construction or growth
- Dirty panels
- Inverter issues
- Faulty panel(s)
Solution: Compare with expected production for the season. If more than 20% below estimate, contact installer.
System Not Producing
Possible causes:
- Inverter turned off
- Grid power outage (inverters shut off for safety)
- Tripped breaker
- Inverter failure
Solution: Check inverter display for errors. Reset if needed. If problem persists, call installer.
Error Messages
Common errors:
- Grid fault: Grid voltage/frequency out of range (usually temporary)
- Isolation fault: Possible wiring issue (call installer)
- Temperature warning: Inverter too hot (check ventilation)
Maximizing Your Solar Investment
Optimize Self-Consumption
- Run major appliances during sunny hours
- Set timers for dishwasher, washing machine, pool pump
- Charge devices and EVs during the day
- Use AC more liberally during peak solar hours
Monitor and Maintain
- Check production weekly via app
- Clean panels when dusty
- Keep inverter area ventilated
- Address any issues promptly
Plan for the Future
- Consider battery storage when prices drop
- Think about EV charging compatibility
- Evaluate system expansion if adding more load
Conclusion
The solar installation process in Cyprus is straightforward when you work with experienced professionals. While it takes 10-12 weeks from start to finish, most of this time is waiting for permits and approvals, not active work.
Key takeaways:
- Choose a reputable installer who handles all permits
- Understand the timeline and set realistic expectations
- Prepare your property before installation day
- Ask questions at every stage
- Monitor your system after activation
- Maintain your investment for optimal long-term performance
Ready to start your solar journey? Get free quotes from Cyprus's top certified solar installers using our comparison tool. Compare prices, equipment, and timelines to find the perfect match for your project.
