Ground Mount Installation Process- National Grid

Congratulations on taking the next step toward clean, affordable energy. We’re excited to build your ground-mount solar system and make this easy from start to finish.

Below is exactly what to expect—what you’ll see in your email and mail, the step-by-step timeline, and what we’ll need from you.

From Easy Switch Solar and installation partner

• Welcome Packet (Information ): project summary, target timeline, contacts, homeowner checklist.
  
  
• Design & Site Plan: layout, trench route, equipment locations.
  
  
• Scheduling Emails: site survey, DigSafe/trenching, build dates, inspections, meter swap(potentially).
  
  
• Monitoring Setup: invite from the inverter/monitoring app (e.g., SolarEdge/Enphase) after we turn on and commission.
  
  

From the Town/Inspections

• Permit copies (emailed or kept at site). Expect a permit card on-site during construction.
  
  

From National Grid (Utility)

• Interconnection Application confirmation (subject lines often reference “DG Application” or “Interconnection”).
  
  
• Authorization to Install (ATI) or similar approval.
  
  
• Permission to Operate (PTO) email after meter work is completed.
  
  
• Occasional mailed notices about net metering or account updates.
  
  

If you see anything you’re not sure about, just forward it to us—we’ll handle it.

1) Kickoff & Site Survey (Days 1–7)

• We confirm array location, access path, trench route, and staging area.
  
  
• We verify setbacks, wetlands/conservation limits (if any), and conduit path to your main electrical panel.
  
  
• You’ll get a “What to Expect on Build Week” note (parking, pets, gate access, noise).
  
  

2) Engineering & Interconnection (≈1–2 weeks, in parallel)

• We finalize stamped electrical plans and ground-mount structural details (driven piles/helical piers or concrete footings).
  
  
• We submit your National Grid interconnection application.
  
  
  • For most residential systems, this is a simplified review; approval typically arrives via email.
    
    
• You may receive a brief e-signature request to authorize the application—please sign promptly.
  
  

3) Permits & DigSafe (≈1–3 weeks, varies by town)

• We pull the building & electrical permits.
  
  
• We can open a DigSafe (811) ticket; you’ll see utility marks/flags in the yard. Please leave them in place until trenching is done. If you are doing the trenching you will want to contact the town or city regarding the service
  
  

4) Ground Work & Foundations (1–3 days)

• Crew mobilization and layout.
  
  
• Drive posts / set helical piers or pour footings (weather and soil conditions can affect methods).
  
  
• Trenching for DC and/or AC conduit to the house/panel location; backfill and rough grade.
  
  

5) Racking, Modules & Wiring (1–5 days)

• Mount racking, set modules, run homeruns and conductors in conduit to inverter/disconnects.
  
  
• Set inverter(s), AC/DC disconnects, rapid shutdown, combiner (if used), and labeling.
  
  

6) Inspection(s) (1–7 days, scheduling dependent)

• Electrical & building final with the town. We’ll be on-site; you don’t need to attend unless the town requests the owner be present.
  
  
• We resolve any punch-list items the same week.
  
  

7) Utility Meter Work & PTO (≈1–3 weeks)

• We upload the Certificate of Completion and as-builts to National Grid and request meter swap / programming if required.
  
  
• National Grid issues Permission to Operate (PTO) by email.
  
  
  • Once PTO arrives, we turn the system on and your monitoring goes live.
    
    

8) Handoff, Monitoring & First Bill Check (Same week as PTO)

• We walk you through the monitoring app and performance expectations.
  
  
• We send a “First Bill Guide” so you can read the net-metering lines on your National Grid bill.
  
  
• You’ll get a digital Owner’s Binder (warranties, manuals, final drawings, permits, and photos).
  
  

• Access & Equipment: We’ll coordinate a gate/path at least ~6–8 ft wide for small equipment if needed.
  
  
• Noise: You may hear brief post-driving or excavation during daylight hours.
  
  
• Yard Disturbance: Trenching and footing work disturb soil; we backfill, rough grade, and seed/straw basic areas. (Fine landscaping is optional and owner-directed.)
  
  
• Setbacks/Height: We site the array to meet local zoning setbacks and height limits.
  
  
• Snow & Maintenance: Ground-mounts shed snow naturally and are easy to access for cleaning or service.
  
  

• Send a full updated utility bill out to our team at easyswitchsolar@gmail.com 
• Keep an eye out for e-signature requests (interconnection and permits). They will come from the utility and our installation partner EmpoweredEnergySolutions Over 500 reviews at 4.7 rating! https://reviews.birdeye.com/empower-energy-solutions-167470838885748
  
  
• Mark any private utilities (sprinklers, invisible dog fence, septic lines) and let us know about well lines or drainage.
  
  
• Provide access on build/inspection days; secure pets and unlock gates.
  
  
• Approve final array location and conduit path in.
  
  

• Net Metering: Your digital meter tallies energy you take from and send to the grid. Credits appear as net-metering line items on your bill; month-to-month swings are normal.
  
  
• Monitoring: You’ll see real-time production in the app; this won’t match your bill exactly because the bill shows net usage/credits.
  
  
• Warranties: We register all product warranties and provide your labor warranty in your Owner’s Binder.
  
  
• Tax Items: We’ll send a summary for your records regarding the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) Utilize tax code document 5695
  We’re not tax advisors; please consult your CPA for eligibility and filing. Ending end of year 2025 for owner owned installations and 2026 for third party owned.
  
  

• Design, interconnection & permits: 3–6 weeks (towns/utilities vary)
  
  
• Construction & inspections: 3–6 days total onsite time (often split across two visits)
  
  
• Meter work & PTO: 1–3 weeks after inspections
  We’ll give you updates at every milestone and adjust for weather or town/utility scheduling.

We’re thrilled to get you powered by the sun, "Giving you the power to generate your own"

Your project manager is at operations@empowerenergy.co. If anything pops up, reply via email and cc: easyswitchsolar@gmail.com—we’re on it.

Welcome to Easy Switch Solar,
Sean M
Founder & Principal Consultant

Easy Switch Solar | 774-334-2880 | easyswitchsolar@gmail.com