Installation Day Is the Part Nobody Explains Properly
You have signed the contract, chosen your system, and sorted the paperwork. Installation day is booked. And then the question most Perth homeowners have but rarely get a clear answer to: what actually happens on the day?
Most solar companies give you a time window and a phone number. What you actually want to know is what the crew does when they arrive, why your power goes off, what commissioning means, what happens if something changes on the day, and what you should have sorted before they leave.
This guide walks through every stage of a Positive Energy Solutions installation day — from the moment the crew arrives to the handover conversation at the end.
Who Turns Up and When
Your system is installed by our accredited installers and signed off to Positive Energy’s completion standards. A standard installation crew is typically two to four people — a lead installer, one or more solar electricians, and sometimes a roofing specialist for tiled roofs. For larger systems or more complex battery setups, additional crew members may be on site.
The crew generally arrives between 7am and 9am. If you have not had a confirmed arrival time by the evening before, check in with your Positive Energy Solutions contact.
When the crew arrives, the first thing that happens is a site walk-through with you. The lead installer confirms the panel layout, inverter location, cable run paths, and battery position. This is also when any final site-specific decisions are made before work starts. Be present for this — it is the moment to ask any last questions and confirm you are aligned before anything goes on the roof.
Roof Work: What the Crew Is Actually Doing
Once the site walk-through is complete, roof work begins. At this stage your power is still on — roof work does not require a power interruption.
Step 1 — Roof assessment and layout marking: the lead installer confirms exact rail positions, checking for rafter locations to ensure mounting points are structurally sound. On tiled roofs, tiles are carefully lifted to locate rafters underneath.
Step 2 — Rail and mounting installation: mounting feet are fixed directly into the rafters and sealed to prevent water ingress. Rails are bolted to the mounting feet and levelled — these are the tracks the panels slide onto.
Step 3 — Panels installed: panels are lifted to the roof and clipped onto the rails in the agreed configuration. MC4 DC connectors are plugged together to wire the panels into strings.
Step 4 — DC cabling run to inverter location: DC cables from the array are run from the roof, through the roof space or along the exterior of the building, to the inverter mounting location — typically on an external wall near the switchboard.
On tiled roofs: tiles are lifted, not removed, to access rafters and run cabling. Despite careful work, some tiles may crack — this is why spare tiles (3 per kW of solar) should be on site. Any broken tiles are replaced before the crew leaves.
The Power Goes Off: What Happens at the Switchboard
Once roof work is complete and the DC cabling is run, the crew moves to the switchboard. This is when your power is switched off.
The outage is required by workplace safety regulations — electricians cannot safely work on a live switchboard. It typically lasts around 60 minutes, though it can run longer depending on system complexity.
During the outage the crew:
- Mounts the inverter and makes the DC connections from the array
- Runs AC cabling from the inverter to the switchboard
- Installs AC isolators at the inverter and switchboard
- Makes the final connections at the switchboard and installs the solar circuit breaker
- Mounts the battery, runs battery cabling, and makes all HV and LV connections
Once the electrical work is complete, the crew runs through safety checks before restoring power — including insulation resistance testing, continuity checks, and verification that all isolators operate correctly.
A note on switchboards: as part of the pre-installation process, Positive Energy Solutions asks every customer to send through photos of all switchboards on site. This allows the engineering team to identify any upgrade requirements before installation day — so there are no surprises when the crew arrives. If a switchboard issue is identified from the photos, it will be discussed and resolved as part of the installation planning, not discovered on the day.
Commissioning: The Most Important 30 Minutes of the Day
After power is restored, the system is commissioned. This is the stage most homeowners do not know much about — and it matters more than people realise.
Commissioning is the process of configuring the inverter, connecting it to your home network, and verifying that the system is operating correctly and in compliance with Western Power’s requirements. It is also when your rebate claims are completed.
- Inverter startup and configuration: the inverter is powered up and configured with the correct settings for the Western Power network — export limits, reconnection delay times, and protection settings.
- CSIP-AUS smart inverter setup: from May 2026, all new solar installations in the Perth metro area must meet CSIP-AUS communication requirements. The inverter is configured to communicate with Western Power’s systems. Positive Energy Solutions commissions every system with these settings as standard.
- Wi-fi connection — essential, not optional: your inverter connects to your home wi-fi during commissioning. This is required to complete your rebate claims on the day. If wi-fi is not available, commissioning cannot be fully completed, a return visit is needed, and a fee applies. Have your network name and password ready.
- Monitoring platform setup: the installer connects the system to the brand monitoring platform (Tesla app, iSolarCloud, SolarWeb, SigEnergy portal, or iStore) and confirms live data is flowing.
- System performance check: generation output is verified against expected levels for the time of day and conditions. String voltages are checked and confirmed within range.
Commissioning is what separates a fully operational, warranty-protected, rebate-claimed installation from a system that is physically installed but not yet live. It cannot be skipped or deferred without consequence.
If the Design Changes on the Day
Sometimes the installer makes adjustments to the system design on the day. This is normal — and it is a feature of a quality installation process, not a problem.
Every Positive Energy Solutions system goes through multiple design review stages before installation day — including review by an in-house engineering team. But some things can only be confirmed on-site: exact rafter positions, obstructions inside the roof cavity, or structural details that were not visible from satellite imagery or during the pre-installation review.
Common on-the-day adjustments include:
- Panel layout changes: a panel may be moved to a different roof section due to a structural finding or an obstruction only visible from the roof. The total panel count is not affected.
- Cable routing changes: the planned cable path may need to be altered due to roof cavity obstructions. This does not affect system performance.
- Inverter location adjustment: if the planned mounting location is unsuitable (inadequate ventilation or insufficient cable reach), the inverter may be repositioned to the nearest suitable alternative.
If any change is made, the installer will explain it to you before implementing it. The goal is always the same: a safe, compliant, and well-performing system for the life of the installation.
The Handover: What to Cover Before the Crew Leaves
Before the crew packs up, run through each of these points:
- Monitoring app: confirm the app is installed on your phone, connected to the system, and showing live data. Ask the installer to walk you through what the key screens mean — generation, battery state of charge, and grid import/export.
- System is generating: check the inverter display is showing an output reading and no error codes.
- Battery setup: confirm the battery is charged or charging, settings are configured correctly, and any backup mode or VPP enrolment settings are in place.
- Omnidian contact details: your after-sales support is provided through Omnidian. Confirm you have the contact details and know how to reach them for any performance issue or error code after the crew has left.
- Roof tiles checked: if you have a tiled roof, confirm any broken tiles have been replaced and the roof is left as found.
- Site clean: the work area should be left clean — offcuts, packaging, and any old electrical components taken away by the crew.
- Any design changes explained: if the installation differed from the original design in any way, get a clear explanation of what changed and why before the crew leaves.
How Long Does It All Take?
Weather can affect the timeline. Wet or windy conditions may pause roof work. The crew will let you know if conditions are causing delays.
Get Your Installation Started With Positive Energy Solutions
If you are ready to move forward, request a fully itemised quote from our team or visit the Positive Energy Solutions showroom in Osborne Park. Every installation goes through our multi-stage design review process and is backed by Omnidian after-sales support — so from your first consultation through to the day the crew leaves, you are covered.
Related guides
- How Much Solar Battery Storage Do I Need? Perth 2026 Guide
- Adding a Battery to Your Existing Solar System in Perth: 2026 Costs, Rebates, and Inverter Compatibility Guide
- Before Your Solar Is Installed in Perth: What to Expect From Sign-Off to Installation Day
- Best Solar Batteries for Perth Homes in 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be home for the whole installation?
Yes. You need to be present when the crew arrives for the initial site walk-through, and again at the end of the day for the monitoring handover and to sign any outstanding paperwork. If you need to step out during the middle of the day, let the installer know your schedule.
What if it rains on my installation day?
Light rain may cause a brief pause in roof work. Heavy rain, storms, or strong wind will typically mean the installation is rescheduled — safety on a wet roof is non-negotiable. Positive Energy Solutions will contact you as early as possible if weather conditions are likely to affect your booking.
Will my switchboard need upgrading?
Positive Energy Solutions asks every customer to send through photos of all switchboards on site before the installation is scheduled. This allows the engineering team to identify any upgrade requirements in advance. If your switchboard needs work, it will be identified and discussed well before installation day — not discovered on the morning.
Can I watch the installation?
You are welcome to observe from a safe distance on the ground. Do not access the roof area while the crew is working. If you want to see how the system looks on the roof, the installer can show you photos taken during the install before they leave.
My monitoring app is not showing data after installation — is something wrong?
The most common cause is a wi-fi connectivity issue between the inverter and your router. Check the inverter’s network indicator and try reconnecting through the app settings. Most platforms recover missing data once connectivity is restored. If you see an error code on the inverter display, note it and contact Positive Energy Solutions rather than attempting a reset yourself.
When does my system start saving me money?
Your system begins offsetting your home’s electricity consumption from the moment commissioning is complete — typically by mid to late afternoon on installation day. DEBS export payments where applicable begin once your bi-directional meter upgrade is complete, which usually happens within a few weeks of installation.
About the Author
Jason Wiktorowicz
Sales Manager, Positive Energy Solutions | Perth, WA
Jason has been at the centre of Western Australia’s energy transition for over a decade. As Orchestration Lead on Project Symphony — WA’s largest virtual power plant pilot — and Stream Lead on Project Encore, he worked directly with AEMO, Western Power and Energy Policy WA to shape how distributed energy resources connect and operate on the SWIS. That work included developing and rolling out CSIP-AUS, now mandatory for all new WA grid connections. He also led Emergency Solar Management (ESM), the first program of its kind in WA, VPP for Schools (VPP4S), which provided direct market benefits through Supplementary Reserve Capacity, and REBAR, the WA Residential Battery Rebate scheme.
His earlier career spanned Synergy, Infinite Energy and Curtin University’s Sustainability Policy Institute, where he co-authored peer-reviewed research on net-zero urban precincts, solar integration and peer-to-peer energy trading, published in the journal Urban Planning in 2018.
At Positive Energy Solutions, Jason leads sales with a focus on system design accuracy and long-term performance. Positive Energy Solutions installs solar and battery systems, EV chargers and heat pumps, and holds partner accreditations with Fronius, SigEnergy, iStore and SunPower. Connect with him on LinkedIn.
