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.

Harnessing Solar Power