Typical solar timeline at a glance
For many standard residential installs, the journey looks like this:
- Quote to acceptance: 1 to 7 days (sometimes longer if you are comparing options)
- Site check and final design: 2 to 10 business days
- Network connection approval: up to 30 business days in some areas
- Installation booking: typically confirmed a couple of weeks prior to the install date once approvals and stock are secured
- Installation day: usually completed in 1 day, or up to 2 days when a battery system is included
- Metering changes and permission to export: a few days to a few weeks depending on your retailer and local network
During peak demand periods, equipment backlogs and busy install calendars can push the overall timeframe out further, sometimes by weeks or months.
Step 1: Quote, energy review, and system design (Day 1 to Week 2)
A quality quote should start with your goals and usage, not just panel count. At this stage, your installer should review:
- Your average electricity bill and usage patterns
- Roof space, shading, orientation, and switchboard condition
- A preliminary inverter size and export estimate, noting that final export limits are only confirmed once the grid connection application is approved
- Whether you want a battery now or plan to add one later
What can slow this down?
- Waiting on power bill data or site photos
- Complex roofs, heritage requirements, or switchboard upgrades
- Comparing multiple system options or waiting on finance approval
Tip for faster quoting
Most homes do not require a physical site inspection. To speed things up, have the following ready:
- Your most recent electricity bill
- A clear photo of your meter board
- Photos of any sub boards
- Photos of the proposed inverter and battery locations
Providing these upfront allows your installer to design the system correctly and lodge approvals sooner.
Step 2: Pre-approval and grid connection paperwork (Week 1 to Week 6)
Before your system can legally connect to the grid, a connection agreement is required with your distribution network service provider. In many cases the installer or retailer organises this, and it can take up to 30 business days in some areas.
Networks may also set limits on:
- Inverter size
- How much power you can export
- Export settings (including zero export in constrained areas)
What can slow this down?
- High solar penetration in your suburb
- Export constraints and extra checks
- Incorrect paperwork or missing details
Step 3: Stock allocation and scheduling your install (Week 2 to Week 12+)
This is the phase where many delays happen during peak season. Even after approvals, installers need to lock in:
- Panels and inverter allocation
- Any battery, backup kit, or smart meter compatible components
- Crew availability and travel time
If suppliers have limited stock, your installer may only confirm an install date once equipment is secured. This is common when demand spikes or when suppliers close over holidays.
Practical expectation: The best installers often book out because they are in demand. A longer wait can be a sign of a busy schedule, but communication should still be clear and consistent.
Step 4: Installation day (Usually 1 day)
Most residential installs are completed in a single day, sometimes two if:
- The roof is complex
- You are adding a battery with backup wiring
- A switchboard upgrade is required
Installations should be completed to relevant standards and industry requirements. The Clean Energy Council publishes installation guidelines used across the industry.
From 1 April 2025, new solar installations must use PV modules that meet updated standards (IEC 61215:2021) to remain eligible for STCs, which is one reason reputable installers pay close attention to product compliance.
Step 5: Metering upgrade and permission to export (Days to weeks after install)
After the system is installed, many homes need a metering update so your retailer can measure exports correctly. The metering timing depends on your retailer, location, and local processes. Some customers see this completed quickly, while others wait longer.
Step 6: Rebates and certificates (STCs) and what “installation date” means
Most homeowners receive the solar rebate benefit upfront because the installer helps create and assign the Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs).
STCs must be created within 12 months of the installation date.
If you are adding a battery, batteries became eligible under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme from 1 July 2025 (with eligibility rules around commissioning dates and capacity requirements).
Why delays happen, and what is normal
If your project is taking longer than expected, it is usually due to one or more of these:
- Network approval timeframes and export limits
- Metering delays through retailers and metering providers
- Stock availability during peak season
- Install capacity due to weather, safety, and crew availability
- Extra electrical work like switchboard upgrades
A good installer will be transparent about where your job is in the pipeline and what the next dependency is, for example “awaiting network approval” or “awaiting inverter delivery.”
How to reduce your wait time
Here are practical steps that often help:
- Approve quickly once you are confident. Delays between quote and acceptance can push you into a busier install window.
- Be flexible with dates
- Understand how stock is managed. If a product is temporarily unavailable, most installers will simply wait for the next shipment to arrive. If there is a significant delay, your installer should contact you to discuss alternative options before making any changes.
- Once your quote is accepted:
- The grid connection application is lodged
- Equipment is ordered and allocated
- When stock is secured, your installer will contact you with a rough install window
- Your install is then scheduled into the next available booking slot
While these steps do not always speed up network approvals or supplier deliveries, understanding the process helps set clear expectations and avoids unnecessary frustration.
Timelines vary, but communication should not
Peak seasons can create real delays, sometimes weeks longer than anyone wants. What matters most is knowing where your installation is at and what the next step is.
A professional installer should be able to clearly explain:
- Whether your network approval has been lodged
- Whether your equipment has been ordered and allocated
- When your installation is likely to be scheduled
- What needs to happen next
Solar installation is a multi-stage process involving networks, suppliers, electricians, and retailers. While timeframes can shift, clear communication ensures you are never left guessing.
Ready to start your solar journey? Request a personalised quote and we will confirm your likely approval timeframe, stock availability, and estimated next available install window.
