Working With ARC
Behind the Scenes - Solar Installation with ARC
What Really Happens when you submit your information to our team? A behind-the-scenes look.
Understanding Your homes Solar Potential
The first step in going solar isn’t choosing panels or thinking about installation – it’s determining whether your home is even a good candidate. That’s where we start.
When you fill out a form on our website, we ask for two key pieces of information:
- Your address – This helps us analyze your roof’s structure, orientation, and surroundings.
- Your energy bill details – This allows us to see your current electricity usage and determine how much solar could offset your costs.
Why Should I Hand Over my Information? What Happens Next?
Unlike some companies that collect leads just to flood your inbox with sales emails, we don’t work like that. Instead, we use your information to run a detailed irradiance analysis which is a crucial step in understanding whether solar is worth it for your home.
The Science Behind the Irradiance Map
Once we have your address, we input it into advanced solar modeling software that generates an irradiance map of your roof. This map is built using satellite data, 3D modeling, and weather pattern analysis to simulate exactly how much sunlight your home receives throughout the year.
Here’s what our software considers when running the simulation:
- Roof Orientation & Tilt – South-facing roofs usually get the best sun exposure, but our software also accounts for east- and west-facing panels.
- Shade Analysis – We factor in trees, nearby buildings, and even seasonal sun angles to determine if shading will impact energy production.
- Weather Patterns – Some areas have more cloudy days or snow coverage, which we account for in production estimates.
- Solar Irradiance Data – We use long-term historical sunlight data to predict solar performance, ensuring accuracy in our estimates.
By running this simulation, we can determine your estimated solar production before even stepping foot on your property. That means you’re not left guessing whether solar is right for you – we provide real, data-backed insights.
At this stage, if your home checks out as a good solar candidate, we move on to the next step: system design and proposal. But if it turns out that your home isn’t a great fit, we’ll let you know upfront because the last thing we want is for you to invest in a system that won’t deliver real savings.
Review Your Project with an Energy Advisor
After we confirm your home is a good solar candidate, an ARC Energy Advisor will personally review your information and create a short, customized video. This video explains your estimated system size, potential savings, and why your roof or energy usage makes sense for solar. It is not a generic pitch. It’s specific to your home and focused on helping you make an informed decision.
You’ll receive the video by email or text, depending on your preference. You can watch it on your own schedule, take notes, and begin asking the right questions. We do this to help you understand the value of going solar without applying pressure.
Your Custom Proposal
If you’re interested in moving forward, your Energy Advisor will prepare a full solar proposal. This includes:
A 3D model of your system on your actual roof
Estimated monthly and annual energy savings
Incentives you may qualify for at the state and federal levels
Financing options with or without upfront payment
Equipment details, including the panel and inverter brands we recommend
We walk you through everything clearly so you understand what you’re getting and why it matters.
If you’ve reviewed your proposal and aren’t ready to take the next step, that’s no problem. This stage is not a contract. We actually encourage homeowners to get multiple quotes before making a decision. Solar is a long-term investment, and you should feel confident about who you’re working with and what you’re getting. We’re here to answer questions and support you when you’re ready.