Commercial Solar Installation Guide

Your project manager will provide a tailored project timeline for your site, including start and finish dates. 

Commercial solar installations typically take approximately one week per 100kW, with some variation based on factors like roof access and weather conditions. So, if we're installing a 300kW system, expect us to be on site for roughly three weeks.

Most of the work is completed without impacting daily operations. We do require a short shutdown for electrical works, and we’ll coordinate timing with site management in advance.

Generally, between 7am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. We’ll confirm exact hours closer to your site’s installation date.

Some noise is expected during specific stages (e.g. roof mounting), but we aim to keep disruption minimal. No heavy construction is involved. Dust is rarely a concern.

We’ll let you know if any areas — like car parks, driveways or internal spaces — need to be cleared or made accessible before work begins. 

Yes. Our team may need access to areas like switchboards, metering panels, or communications rooms. Your Project Manager will confirm with the team on each individual site what will be needed ahead of time. 

Smart take safety very seriously, as do all contractors we work with. All work complies with WHS regulations. We’ll use signage, barriers and exclusion zones, as well as daily safety meetings to ensure safety for your team and ours. 

Nothing major. We just ask staff to follow safety signage and avoid designated work zones while installation is underway. 

We’ll provide notice ahead of time. Deliveries may include solar panels, mounting frames, inverters, and electrical equipment. 

Typically, 4 to 6 pallets per site for an average-sized commercial solar installation. Each pallet requires between half, to one full car space. 

We may need a small number of car spaces for equipment and crew access, generally over 2–5 days. We’ll work with you to minimise impact. 

Yes, depending on your roof layout and access. We’ll advise which days this equipment will be onsite and set up exclusion zones. 

We’ll coordinate with you ahead of time to arrange suitable parking close to the work area. 

You’ll be introduced to your site’s dedicated contact from the Smart Commercial Solar Project Management team before work begins. If questions or issues arise which require management involvement, our Program Head, or the Head of Projects & Performance can be involved.

We’ll send brief updates by email or phone as needed. Any major changes will be discussed with you directly. 

Yes. We’re happy to provide approved messaging or visuals if you’d like to share updates internally or externally. 

Once the solar system is installed, it can’t be commissioned (i.e. turned on and exporting to the grid) until the Distributed Network Service Provider (DNSP) completes their required steps. This typically includes:

• Approving the connection application (if not already done)

• Installing or reconfiguring the meter (to handle solar export/import properly)

• Issuing permission to connect (PTC) or equivalent documentation

Only after the DNSP confirms everything is in place — especially the meter — can the system legally be commissioned and begin operating.

The timing and process vary by state and DNSP (e.g. Ausgrid, Essential Energy, Powercor, etc.), so lead times can differ.

Upon completion, you’ll receive a handover pack with system documentation and login access to your monitoring platform. Our Performance team will take over from here, granting you access to our Smart Performance Hub and talking you through your new monitoring software.

Minimal routine maintenance is required. For the first year after installation, your system will be maintained free of charge through our Smart Active management package. Our Performance team monitors your system remotely during this time and will flag anything that needs attention.

Smart Commercial Solar handles both scheduled maintenance and issue resolution. If there’s a fault, we’re often the first to know via monitoring systems, but you can also contact our Performance team directly at any time.

Your Project Manager will connect you with this team after completion.

You’ll have access to a live monitoring portal that shows real-time performance, cost savings and carbon offsets. 

Your Performance contact will help you get familiar with the system so you can track system output over time.