Roof Array Inspection
Panels should sit flush with no visible gaps at mounting points. Flashing around each penetration must be sealed and uniform. Ask the installer to point out every roof entry so you know where future leaks would appear first.
Home Solar Handover
SunLedger — Handover Day: What to Check and Which Papers to Take After Panel Installation
The final visit is when your installer walks you through the system, hands over documents, and asks for your signature. We explain each step so you know what to look for before you sign.
The System Walkthrough, Step by Step
Your installer should show every major component and explain how it connects. Use this sequence to follow along and note anything that needs clarification.
Inverter and Combiner Box
The inverter display should show production status without error codes. Note the serial number on the unit label and confirm it matches your paperwork. The combiner box cover must be secure and labeled with circuit identifiers.
Disconnect and Labeling
Every switch and breaker related to the solar system should carry a clear label. The rapid shutdown device location must be demonstrated. If labels are missing or faded, request replacements before signing the acceptance form.
Documents to Collect Before You Sign
Each installation generates a different paper trail. These items appear on most residential handovers and should be in your folder before the crew leaves.
Permit and Inspection Records
Request copies of the building permit, electrical permit, and final inspection sign-off. These prove the work passed local authority review. Store them with your home insurance documents because some carriers ask for proof of permitted work.
Equipment Warranty Certificates
Panel and inverter warranties often require registration within a set window. Confirm whether the installer registers on your behalf or whether you must submit serial numbers yourself. Keep the original certificates even if registration is handled remotely.
As-Built Single-Line Diagram
This drawing shows how panels, inverters, meters, and the utility connection link together. It becomes essential when you call for service or when a future electrician needs to trace a circuit. Verify that panel string counts on the diagram match what you see on the roof.
Warranty Questions Worth Asking Out Loud
Verbal answers matter because warranty folders use dense legal language. Raise these points during the walkthrough while the installer is still on site.
Roof Penetration Coverage
Some installers warranty roof leaks at mounting points for a limited period. Ask how long that coverage lasts and what documentation triggers a claim. Photograph each penetration location on the same day so you have a baseline for comparison.
- Who handles leak repairs — installer or roofing subcontractor
- Whether the warranty transfers if you sell the home
- Response time stated in the workmanship agreement
Equipment Replacement Process
Panel and inverter failures follow different claim paths. Confirm whether the installer acts as intermediary with the manufacturer or whether you contact the manufacturer directly. Write down the support phone numbers while the installer is present.
- Labor coverage period for inverter replacement
- Whether monitoring alerts count as proof of malfunction
- Expected timeline for parts delivery in your region
What Our Guides Include
Published walkthroughs focus on inspectable items and documents you can review with your installer on acceptance day.
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Walkthrough checkpoints in our standard guide
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Document categories tracked across typical handovers
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Topic guides in our article library
Editorial
Content covers post-install acceptance, not equipment sales or installation services
Recent Published Guides
Two articles our editors published recently to help homeowners prepare for acceptance day.
What to Check During the Final System Walkthrough
Most homeowners focus on the roof and miss the combiner box entirely. This guide lists the components your installer should demonstrate in order, including the one label that frequently arrives blank from the factory.
Read Article
Paperwork Every Homeowner Should Collect Before Signing
Installers sometimes leave before the warranty registration is complete. We explain which documents must be in your hands on day one and which forms require action from you within the first week.
Read ArticleReader Notes on Handover Day
Illustrative examples of topics readers often mention when preparing for acceptance day. These are not verified reviews or service endorsements.
I caught a missing rapid-shutdown label because your walkthrough list mentioned it specifically. The installer printed a replacement label on the spot instead of mailing one three weeks later.
Diane Kowalski
Registered Nurse, Phoenix
The paperwork section helped me avoid a second visit. My installer had the permit copy in the truck but not in the folder. I asked for it before signing and skipped a follow-up appointment.
Robert Mendez
High School Teacher, Denver
I did not know the monitoring app needed a separate login from the installer portal. Your guide told me to set credentials during the visit, and production data appeared the same evening.
Sarah Lindstrom
Small Business Owner, Boulder
Have Questions About Your Upcoming Handover?
Use our contact form for editorial questions about published walkthrough steps, document lists, and post-installation contacts. We point to relevant guides and note when a licensed specialist should handle the issue.
Contact UsImportant Information
The materials on this site serve an educational and informational purpose. They explain common handover procedures and help you prepare questions for your installation team. Content here does not replace advice from a licensed electrician, roofer, or solar contractor working on your property.
SunLedger is not an installation company. We do not mount panels, schedule crews, or perform acceptance inspections on your behalf. We do not sell panels, inverters, batteries, or related hardware, and we do not compare equipment brands or models.
Utility interconnection rules, local regulations, and warranty terms vary by state and territory. Confirm current requirements with your electric provider and relevant local authorities before making decisions about your system.
Grid interconnection, work inside your electrical panel, and structural roof assessments require a licensed professional in your jurisdiction. Do not attempt these tasks based on general information alone.
You remain responsible for choices about system size, contractor selection, and signing acceptance documents. Every home receives a unique document package — copying another homeowner's paperwork list without verifying your own contract terms can leave gaps in your records.