It’s quite a process to get from start to finish with a solar project. First, you need to have the site evaluated, which includes having the land assessed to ensure that the development of a solar project does not violate any environmental or local regulations. Next, the system must be designed specific to the site by a licensed engineer and approved by a third-party engineer who is certified to ‘stamp’ designs in the state in question. Then, before building can commence, interconnection applications with the local electrical utility must be submitted and approved (expensive substation and/or feeder upgrades may be needed), and in most municipalities, approval of the local planning board must be secured in order for a project to be built. Additionally, utility and/or transmission level studies may also be required during the interconnection phase, which extends the project development timeline. Once all of the necessary approvals are in place, solar PV panels will be procured and installed by licensed installers and electricians. Representatives of the local utility as well as other governing bodies (depending on the location of the project) will then visit the solar farm to inspect and approve the final installation. After that, the solar project will finally be up and running!