Based in the Phoenix Valley.

Licensed and bonded. Arizona ROC 326650BBB A+

Shawkes Electric
(602) 879-5489Get a free estimate

Panels and service

Solar electrical work in the Phoenix Valley

The electrical side of a solar system: the interconnection at the panel, the AC and DC disconnects, and the fixes a solar company leaves behind. Shane handles the part the installer cannot pass inspection without.

Get a free estimateor call (602) 879-5489
Interconnection
Backfed breaker, tap or new panel
Common fix
A panel too small for the backfeed
Pricing
Quoted per job

Signs the solar job needs panel work

  • The solar company says my panel cannot take the system.
  • The install failed inspection and I have a correction notice.
  • I want a battery and I do not know what the panel needs.
  • The utility will not let me turn the system on until the labels are fixed.

What the solar electrical work involves

Solar power has to tie into the house somewhere, and that tie-in is where most of the electrical work sits. The simplest method is a backfed breaker in the main panel. The code limits it with the 120 percent rule: on a 200 amp bus with a 200 amp main, the solar breaker can be 40 amps, placed at the far end of the bus from the main.

When the system is too big for that, there are two other routes. A supply-side tap connects the solar between the meter and the main breaker. A new panel with a higher-rated bus gives the backfeed room.

Solar backfed breaker and the 120 percent ruleA main panel with a 200 amp main breaker at the top of a 200 amp bus and a 40 amp solar breaker at the far end. The solar breaker feeds an AC disconnect and the inverter. The 120 percent rule math shows 200 amps times 1.2 is 240 amps, less the 200 amp main, which leaves 40 amps for solar.Main panel200 A main at the top120 percent rule200 A bus times 1.2 = 240 A240 A minus the 200 A mainleaves 40 A for solar40 A solar breaker, far endInverterAC disconnectPlacard at the service lists every power source
On a 200 amp panel with a 200 amp main, the 120 percent rule leaves room for a 40 amp solar breaker at the far end of the bus.

What the solar electrical work costs

Prices on these pages are typical ranges for Phoenix Valley homes. Shane gives you the real number in writing after he sees the job.

How it is priced

Solar electrical work is quoted per job after Shane sees the system plans and the panel.

The interconnection method decides most of the cost. A backfed breaker is a small job. A supply-side tap or a new panel is a bigger one, and a battery adds its own subpanel.

What moves the number

Interconnection method
A backfed breaker is the simple one. A line-side tap or a new panel with a solar-ready bus costs more.
Panel condition
Many solar jobs stall because the panel is full or rated too low. Shane tells you up front if the panel is the real job.
Utility requirements
SRP and ED3 have their own disconnect and labeling rules. Doing it their way the first time saves a failed inspection.

How the options compare

Backfed breakerSupply-side tapNew panel
How it ties inA breaker in the main panel, at the far end from the mainBetween the meter and the main breakerA panel with a bus rated for the backfeed
Size limitThe 120 percent rule on the busThe service conductors and the tap rulesSet by the new bus rating
When it fitsSmall to mid-size systemsLarger systems on a panel with no roomAn old or undersized panel
Relative costLowestMiddleHighest

Get a written price for your solar electrical work.

Send the form with your installer's name, and Kai calls back the same business day to set a time for Shane to see the panel.

Get a free estimateor call (602) 879-5489

What the price includes

What is included

  • Disconnects, labeling and the interconnection at the panel
  • Load calculation and panel work if the system needs it
  • Coordination with your solar installer and the utility
  • Permit and inspection for the electrical scope
  • Placard of all power sources at the service

What is not included

  • Solar panels, inverters or racking
  • Roof work
  • The solar company's own permit

How the job goes

  1. 1

    Plan review

    Before the visit Send the solar plans or the installer's scope, plus the correction notice if there is one.

  2. 2

    Panel visit

    Within a few days of your call Shane checks the bus rating, the main breaker and which interconnection fits.

  3. 3

    Electrical work

    On the installer's schedule Panel work, disconnects and labels done around the solar crew's dates.

  4. 4

    Inspection and utility

    One to three weeks after install The city inspects, then the utility reviews the system and gives permission to turn it on.

The number on the quote is the number on the invoice.

Permits, inspection and code

Solar systems carry their own permit, usually pulled by the solar company, and the electrical scope rides on it or on a separate electrical permit depending on the office.

The permit office and the utility change by city. We cover Ahwatukee, Maricopa, Mesa, Queen Creek and Apache Junction.

What code asks for

  • With a backfed breaker, the main breaker and the solar breaker together cannot exceed 120 percent of the bus rating, and the solar breaker sits at the opposite end from the main.
  • A supply-side tap connects between the meter and the main breaker and needs its own disconnect.
  • The service needs a permanent placard or directory showing every power source on the property.

What customers say

Quoted word for word.

★★★★★

Good choice! Shane provided me a good service, quite quickly, and for a very fair price. Give him a try.

Jerry FullerGoogle review

The license and the record

Arizona ROC license
326650, class R-11
BBB rating
A+, zero complaints
In business
Since 2007
Estimates
Free, in writing

Look up ROC 326650 on the state site

Questions about solar electrical work

Anything else, call (602) 879-5489 or send the form below.

Why does my solar installer need a separate electrician?

Some solar companies subcontract the panel work or will not touch an older panel. Shane does the part that has to pass the electrical inspection.

Can you fix a solar install that failed inspection?

Yes. Most failures are labeling, disconnect placement or a panel that was never rated for the backfeed. Send us the correction notice.

Do you install solar panels?

No. We do the electrical. If you need a full system we will tell you who we trust.

Will my panel need an upgrade for solar?

Not always. If the system fits under the 120 percent rule, a backfed breaker in the existing panel works.

Get a free estimate on solar electrical work.

Send the form and Kai calls or texts back to set a time. Shane looks at the actual job and writes the price. No charge for the visit.

What happens next

  1. Kai gets back to you the same day.
  2. Shane comes out and looks at the actual panel, circuit or roofline.
  3. You get the price and the install date in writing.

Rather talk? Call (602) 879-5489.

Step 1 of 4

What do you need done?

CallFree estimate