Questions about your roof, shade, meter, or permit path
Write to us when you want help organizing what you already know about your home — utility records, roof photos, shade notes, or county questions — before you schedule an installer visit. We do not sell equipment, book installations, or provide quotes.
Common questions before your first installer conversation
Start with twelve months of utility data if available — paper bills or a downloaded usage report both work. Add photos of each roof plane from the ground, plus one shot of your open electrical panel with the manufacturer label visible.
If trees sit near the house, note when shadows cross the roof at mid-morning, noon, and mid-afternoon. You do not need professional drawings; clear phone photos and honest notes are enough for us to suggest what to verify next.
Stand in your yard when the sun is highest and look at the slope you plan to use. If a branch, chimney, or neighboring roof cuts across that surface, mark the time and season — deciduous trees look fine in winter and block heavily in summer.
A satellite image taken at one hour cannot show that shift. Three timed observations on a clear day usually reveal more than an aerial survey alone.
Your meter and main panel define how power enters and leaves the house. An installer needs to know service amperage, whether the meter is on an exterior wall or remote pedestal, and if spare breaker spaces exist for a production meter or gateway.
Reviewing those details early prevents surprises after equipment is ordered — especially in older homes where the panel rating limits inverter placement options.
Ask who pulls permits, whether a structural letter is required for your roof type, and how long interconnection review takes with your utility. Request a single-line diagram showing where the inverter and disconnect will sit.
Clarify who handles the utility application and what happens if the county requests changes after inspection. Written answers beat verbal assurances when timelines slip.
No. RoofMeter Guide is a preparation resource only. We do not visit homes to mount hardware, schedule crews, or compare module brands. We help you organize questions and records so licensed installers and suppliers you choose can do their work with fewer unknowns.
We do not perform interconnection work or interpret incentive programs for your tax situation. Grid ties, panel upgrades, and live electrical work require a licensed electrician and your utility’s official process.
For credits and rebates, consult IRS publications, your state revenue department, and your utility’s current tariff sheets. We can suggest which offices to call — not what you will receive.
RoofMeter Guide is based in Austin, Texas. Visits are by appointment only — most preparation work happens through messages and shared documents.
The materials on this site provide knowledge about residential solar preparation — roof assessment, shade observation, utility review, and permit planning. They are intended to help you understand the steps involved before contacting licensed professionals.
RoofMeter Guide is not a solar installation company. We do not visit homes to mount panels, schedule installations, or provide project quotes. We are also not a retail store: we do not sell panels, inverters, batteries, or compare equipment brands and models.
We do not promise payback timelines, specific savings figures, zero utility bills, or free electricity. Tax credits, utility rates, and interconnection rules change by state and provider — consult official government and utility sources for current information.
Grid interconnection, work inside your electrical panel, and structural roof assessments require licensed electricians, engineers, and local authorities. Do not attempt these tasks yourself based on website content.
Every home differs in roof condition, shading, consumption, and budget. A plan that worked for a neighbor may not fit your property. Any decisions about system size, equipment, or contractors are yours alone.
