Awaiting expert review. This page covers rules that vary by utility and jurisdiction. It is kept out of search results until a qualified reviewer has checked it; the sources below are dated so you can verify each point.
Quick answer
Solar Inspection A solar inspection is the check of a finished solar installation against the approved permit and the adopted codes, carried out by the local building department's inspector. Some utilities also run their own check, a witness test, before allowing the system to operate alongside the grid.
Passing the building inspection closes the permit. Passing or waiving the utility's test leads to permission to operate.
Quick facts
The key facts about solar inspection, with sources:
- Building inspection by
- The local authority having jurisdiction (city or county) 2
- Utility check
- A witness test or meter set, where the utility requires it
- Santee Cooper timing
- Witness test within 10 business days of the Certificate of Completion, or deemed waived 1
- Before you may switch on
- Written utility authorisation 1
- Grid-safety standard for inverters
- IEEE 1547-2018 4
- Who attends
- Usually the installer; the homeowner may need to provide access
Key takeaways
- A solar inspection checks the finished work against the permit and the local codes.
- DOE says a professional from the local government inspects the new array after installation 2.
- Some utilities add their own check, called a witness test, before you may switch on.
- Passing the building inspection does not mean you can turn the system on. Wait for the utility’s written approval.
- Your installer fixes any failed items. You should not touch the wiring yourself.
What a solar inspection is
After your system is built, someone has to check it. That check is the solar inspection. An inspector from your city or county walks through the job and compares it with the approved plans and the code.
DOE describes the order: the installer gets a permit, installs the system, then a professional from the local government inspects it “to ensure all safety codes have been followed.” Then the utility connects the system 2.
The word “inspection” can also mean the utility’s own check. Many utilities call it a witness test. It looks at how the system behaves with the grid, not at roof bolts.
Where inspection fits
- Permit issued → crew installs to the approved plans
- Installer requests inspection → building inspector visits
- Pass → permit closed → installer tells the utility
- Utility witness test or waiver → permission to operate
How the inspection works on the day
The installer books the visit with the building department. The inspector brings the approved plans, or a checklist made from them. In places that use SolarAPP+, the platform produces an inspection checklist to cut failed inspections 5.
The inspector looks at the roof work, the wiring path, the inverter, the disconnects and the connection at your electrical panel. Labels get close attention, because firefighters rely on them.
The utility’s test asks a different question. Will the system stop sending power when the grid goes down? DOE explains that an “islanded” section of grid can damage equipment or injure line workers, so systems are set to detect it and disconnect 3. A witness test may confirm that.
Types of solar inspection
| Building (AHJ) inspection | Utility witness test | |
|---|---|---|
| Done by | City or county building inspector | The utility's field staff |
| Checks | Code compliance of the installed work: structure, wiring, labels, disconnects, rapid shutdown | That the system behaves safely in parallel with the grid, such as shutting off when grid power is lost |
| Required? | Yes, to close the permit | Only if the utility's procedures call for it; it may be waived |
| Result | Permit closed | Written approval to energise; meter changed if needed |
What a building inspector typically looks at
- That the equipment and layout match the approved plans.
- Roof attachments, flashing and racking. See roof penetrations.
- Conductor routing, conduit, grounding and bonding.
- Disconnects, overcurrent protection and the connection at the panel.
- Required labels and placards.
- Rapid shutdown function, on roof-mounted systems where the code requires it. See rapid shutdown.
- Battery location, clearances and labels, if a battery is part of the job.
Sources: [5]
A real sequence: Santee Cooper's 20 kW inverter process (SC)
Santee Cooper's Generator Interconnection Procedures (effective 31 August 2016) set out what happens after a certified inverter-based system of 20 kW or less is installed 1:
- The customer submits a Certificate of Completion to Santee Cooper.
- Santee Cooper may inspect the system, including a witness test, within 10 business days of receiving it. If it does not inspect within 10 business days, or the parties agree, the witness test is deemed waived.
- If the witness test fails, the utility may disconnect the system, and it may not run in parallel until the deficiencies are fixed.
- Santee Cooper notifies the customer in writing that energising is authorised and schedules any meter replacement within 10 business days of the passed or waived test.
- Only after that notice may the system be switched on.
Other utilities have their own procedures and forms, so the steps and timelines differ elsewhere.
Example: counting the days under Santee Cooper’s rule
An illustration built on the two 10-business-day limits above 1. Real dates depend on holidays, scheduling and whether anything fails.
| Event | Business days after Certificate of Completion | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Completion received | Day 0 | Submitted after the building inspection passes |
| Latest witness test, or waiver | Up to day 10 | Deemed waived if not done in time |
| Latest written authorisation and meter scheduling | Up to about day 20 | Within 10 business days of the passed or waived test |
So the utility step alone can take up to about four working weeks in this case. Use our interconnection timeline estimator to plan the whole path.
Why inspections help you, and their limits
Benefits
- An independent check of fire and electrical safety on your home.
- A record that the work met code, useful for insurance and resale.
- Catches mistakes while the installer is still on the hook.
Limitations
- A pass shows code minimums, not top-quality work.
- Inspectors may not see every roof attachment once panels are on.
- Scheduling can add days or weeks before you can switch on.
What an inspection will not catch
An inspection is a snapshot of code compliance. It does not test how much power the system will make. It does not judge panel brand or price. It may not spot a slow roof leak that shows up months later. See roof leak after solar.
That is why the workmanship warranty and your own records matter. Ask your installer for photos of the roof attachments before the panels went on.
Inspection cost and lifespan of the result
DOE says permit and inspection details and fees vary across jurisdictions 2. Many places include the first inspection in the permit fee. Some charge for a re-inspection after a fail. Ask your installer whether re-inspection fees are theirs to pay; your contract should say.
A passed inspection does not expire for the system it covered. A new permit and inspection are usually needed if you change the system, such as adding panels or a battery.
For how inspection fits into the overall price, see our solar cost guide.
Sources: [2]
What the homeowner should do
Ask the installer for the inspection date. Make sure the electrical panel and any side gates are accessible. Keep pets inside. Ask for copies of the passed inspection and the utility's approval letter.
Do not switch the system on before the utility's written approval arrives, even if the building inspection has passed. Corrections are the installer's job under your contract; a licensed electrician or the installer, not the homeowner, makes them.
Sources: [6]
After the inspection: records to keep
- The inspection result or closed-permit record.
- The utility’s written permission to operate.
- The as-built plans, if they differ from the first plans.
- Photos of roof attachments and the panel connection.
- Your installer’s warranty documents. See workmanship warranties.
Common reasons inspections fail, and warning signs
- Equipment swapped from what the plans show without a revision.
- Missing or wrong labels.
- Workmanship issues at roof penetrations or conduit runs.
- The inspector cannot get access to the panel or array on the day.
- Warning sign: the installer asks you to switch the system on before the utility approves it.
- Warning sign: the installer will not share the inspection result. Call the building department yourself.
Codes and standards behind the inspection
Building and electrical codes. Inspectors check against the editions your state and city have adopted. The electrical rules come from the National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), mainly Article 690 for solar.
South Carolina enforces the 2020 NEC, in force since 1 January 2023 8.
The Building Codes Council has moved to the 2023 NEC; a 2026 joint resolution (S.1077, approving Regulation Document 5418) would approve it; as of 16 April 2026 it was back in the Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee, and it takes effect only when the Governor approves it 9.
Confirm the edition in force with your permit office. South Carolina’s building code is the 2021 South Carolina Building Codes 7.
Grid standard. IEEE 1547-2018 sets how inverters for small generators connect to and work with the grid 4. Utilities use it, along with their own procedures, when they test or approve a system.
Utility procedures. Each utility’s interconnection procedures set whether it runs a witness test and how fast. Santee Cooper’s are quoted above 1.
Solar inspection vs related steps
| Step | Who | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Site assessment | Installer | Decide if and how solar fits your home, before design |
| Solar permit | Building department | Approve the design before work starts |
| Solar inspection | Building department | Check the built work against design and code |
| Witness test | Utility | Check grid behaviour, such as anti-islanding |
| Permission to operate | Utility | Written OK to switch on and export |
Common misconceptions
- Myth Passing the inspection means I can switch on.
- Reality Not until the utility gives written approval.
- Myth The utility always does its own inspection.
- Reality Only if its procedures call for it. Santee Cooper’s can be waived 1.
- Myth Inspectors check that I got a good deal.
- Reality They check code compliance only.
South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia
South Carolina inspections are made against the 2021 South Carolina Building Codes and the 2020 NEC (retrieved 5–7 October 2026) 7 8.
Santee Cooper's witness-test rule is above; Duke Energy and Dominion Energy South Carolina customers follow those utilities' own interconnection procedures, which we have not loaded; ask your installer which tests apply.
In Georgia and Virginia, the county or city inspects and the utility sets any witness test; we have not verified state code editions for this page, so check both.
What to do next
The inspection matters to you mainly as a gate. It tells you the job is done to code, and it starts the utility’s final step.
Rule of thumb: get three papers before you consider the job finished. The closed permit, the utility’s permission to operate, and the warranty.
Next step: read the full interconnection guide so you know what the utility needs after the inspection.
Questions about solar inspection
Who inspects a solar installation?
The city or county building department inspects it against code. DOE describes this as a professional from the local government checking that all safety codes were followed. The utility may also inspect or witness-test the system before granting permission to operate. These are two separate checks.
Do I need to be home for the solar inspection?
Often not, but the inspector needs access to the electrical panel, the inverter and sometimes the roof or attic. Leave gates open and keep pets inside. Ask your installer what your jurisdiction expects. Some places want an adult present to let the inspector in.
Can I turn my solar on after it passes inspection?
Not until the utility gives written approval. A passed building inspection closes the permit. The utility separately authorises operation, sometimes after its own witness test. Switching on early can breach your interconnection agreement.
What is a utility witness test?
A witness test is a check by the utility's staff that a new generator connects and disconnects safely with the grid. Santee Cooper, for example, may do it within 10 business days of receiving the Certificate of Completion. If it does not, the test is deemed waived.
What happens if my solar fails inspection?
The inspector lists what needs fixing. The installer makes the corrections and books a re-inspection. You should not make electrical fixes yourself. Some places charge for a re-inspection; check who pays under your contract. The system stays off until it passes and the utility approves it.
How long after installation is the solar inspection?
It depends on the inspector’s schedule in your area. The installer books it once the work is done. After a pass, the utility step follows. Under Santee Cooper’s procedures, that step can take up to about 20 business days.
Does the inspector go on the roof?
Sometimes. Many inspectors check the roof attachments and wiring on the roof. Others check from a ladder or use photos, as local practice allows. Ask your installer to keep photos of each attachment before the panels went on.
Is a home inspection the same as a solar inspection?
No. A home inspection is a private check, often for a sale. A solar inspection is the building department’s code check on a permitted job. A home inspector may look at the solar, but cannot close the permit. When buying a home with solar, ask for the closed permit.
Sources
- South Carolina Public Service Authority (Santee Cooper), Generator Interconnection Procedures, Forms and Agreements, effective 31 August 2016, §2.3, retrieved .
- US DOE, Permitting and Inspection for Rooftop Solar, retrieved .
- US DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office, Solar Integration: Distributed Energy Resources and Microgrids, retrieved .
- IEEE, Standard 1547-2018 for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces, retrieved .
- SolarAPP+ (Solar Automated Permit Processing), programme site, retrieved .
- US DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office, Homeowner's Guide to Going Solar, retrieved .
- SC Building Codes Council, code adoption, retrieved .
- IAEI Magazine, Code updates: South Carolina Building Codes Council adopts the 2020 NEC, effective 1 January 2023, retrieved .
- South Carolina General Assembly, S.1077 (2025–2026), joint resolution approving Regulation Document 5418 (2023 NEC); recommitted to Senate committee 16 Apr 2026, retrieved .
Expert review
Written by the HyreSolar Research team. Not yet reviewed by an outside expert. We say so rather than imply a review that has not happened; see our editorial policy.
How the numbers were checked: The witness-test sequence is read from §2.3 of Santee Cooper's Generator Interconnection Procedures PDF. The inspection order follows DOE’s Permitting and Inspection for Rooftop Solar page (read 8 October 2026).
South Carolina code editions reuse the sources verified for our rapid shutdown entry. The inspection checklist is general. Duke and Dominion SC procedures were not loaded, so their steps are not stated. Held for qualified review before indexing (G-REV).
Suggest a correction. We fix errors and say what changed.