What's the best way to connect a solar panel system to the grid and handle the utility interconnection process?

The best way to handle a solar panel system grid connection and utility interconnection is to hire a licensed, experienced solar contractor to submit a complete application, obtain local permits, and secure formal Permission to Operate (PTO) before turning the system on . Attempting to interconnect a system independently or turning it on prematurely creates severe safety risks and can result in utility fines or disconnection.

Watch this brief overview on how utility meters are swapped out for safe grid integration:

3:11 Connecting Your Solar to the Grid | Utility Interconnection ...8 months ago YouTube · AEPowerHouseTV

The Solar Interconnection Workflow

The chronological steps required to safely and legally connect a residential solar array to the local power grid include:

1. System Design and Application Submission : Your installer prepares and submits an interconnection application, site plans, equipment spec sheets, and electrical one-line diagrams to the local utility company.
2. Utility Review and Approval : The utility evaluates the technical configuration, safety controls, and grid capacity. If approved, an interconnection agreement is drafted and signed.
3. Installation and Local Inspection : The physical panels, inverter, and balance-of-system hardware are installed, followed by passing mandatory building and electrical inspections from your local municipal Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
4. Certificate of Completion (COC) : Your installer submits the signed inspection sign-offs and a COC to the utility provider.
5. Meter Swap and Permission to Operate (PTO) : The utility replaces your legacy meter with a bidirectional net meter (smart/dual-channel meter) and issues formal PTO, allowing you to legally energize the system.

Critical Warnings and Pitfalls to Avoid

• Never Turn the System On Early : Energizing your solar inverter before receiving official PTO is illegal in most utility jurisdictions. Unsynchronized or unmetered backfeed can endanger utility line workers and cause standard meters to read solar generation as power consumption you owe for.
• Avoid Incomplete Paperwork : Missing data sheets, inaccurate inverter settings, or incorrect property owner information on the initial utility application will trigger automatic rejections and extend timelines by weeks or months.
• Watch Out for Grid Upgrade Costs : For older neighborhoods with weaker local transformers, utilities may mandate a "system impact study" and require you to pay out-of-pocket for grid upgrades before granting approval. Always ask your installer to screen for this risk early.

If you'd like, let me know:

• Your local utility company name
• Whether your project includes a battery storage system

I can help outline specific local net-billing structures or timeline estimates for your area.

The cleanest approach is to treat interconnection as a utility project first and an installation project second. The exact rules depend on your utility and state, but the workflow is usually:

1. Size the system around your actual electricity use. Review 12–24 months of bills and account for future loads such as an EV, heat pump, or electric water heater. Don't automatically size solar to maximize annual production; compensation for exported electricity may be different from the retail rate.
2. Choose an installer who handles interconnection. A good installer should handle the electrical design, permits, utility application, inspections, and permission-to-operate (PTO). Make sure the contract says who is responsible for utility fees, corrections, and delays.
3. Have the electrical design prepared before applying. The utility will generally want equipment specifications, inverter information, system size, a one-line electrical diagram, site information, and details about batteries or other generators. Your system needs appropriate anti-islanding/grid-support equipment and must comply with the utility's technical requirements.
4. Submit the interconnection application before operating the system. The utility reviews whether the proposed generator can safely connect to its distribution system. Depending on system size and local rules, this can range from a relatively simple review to engineering studies and potentially upgrades.
5. Get municipal permits and install only after the appropriate approvals. The installer builds the system according to the approved design. Don't turn on grid-parallel operation merely because the panels and inverter are physically installed.
6. Pass inspection and complete the utility's final paperwork. After installation, the local authority may inspect the electrical work. The utility then receives the required completion documents and, when everything is acceptable, issues Permission to Operate (PTO) or its equivalent.
7. Verify the meter and billing arrangement. Make sure the bidirectional meter is installed/configured and that your account reflects the applicable net-metering or export-credit arrangement. Keep copies of the interconnection agreement, PTO, final inspection, and equipment documentation.

If you're in Illinois

There is an especially important wrinkle: the value of exported solar depends on when and where you interconnect and on your utility's rules. For example, ComEd says customers who interconnect after December 31, 2024 receive net-metering credits for supply charges, whereas customers with legacy status can receive credits covering additional bill components.

For a ComEd customer, the utility's current process says the interconnection application generally incorporates the net-metering application, and ComEd reviews the application for safe and reliable connection.

So, if you're in the Chicago/ComEd area, I'd specifically ask an installer these questions before signing:

• What system size are you proposing, and what percentage of my historical consumption does it cover?
• What export compensation will apply to my system based on its expected interconnection date?
• Are you handling the ComEd interconnection application and all corrections?
• Does the proposal include batteries, and if so, does their operating mode affect interconnection or export credits?
• Who pays if ComEd requires a service or distribution-system upgrade?
• Is PTO explicitly required before the system is switched to grid-parallel operation?
• Who handles the municipal electrical inspection?
• If the project is being marketed under Illinois Shines, what happens to the RECs and what exactly am I being paid/credited for them?

Illinois Shines and Illinois Solar for All are separate state programs administered through the Illinois Power Agency, and Illinois requires participating solar projects to satisfy interconnection requirements.

One practical rule: don't let an installer tell you “the utility paperwork is just a formality.” Interconnection approval, export compensation, and PTO are separate things from simply installing panels, and getting those details in writing can prevent expensive surprises.

If you tell me your utility (e.g., ComEd, Ameren, etc.), approximate system size, and whether you want a battery, I can lay out the specific interconnection process and paperwork you'd encounter.

Connecting a solar panel system to the local utility grid—and navigating the legal and technical interconnection process —is a structured procedure designed to ensure grid stability and worker safety. While you can technically submit paperwork yourself, the best and most common practice is to hire a licensed, experienced solar contractor who handles this workflow daily.

The sequential roadmap for a grid-tied solar connection and utility interconnection involves the following key phases:

1. System Design and Pre-Application (Conditional Approval)
   • Your installer creates a detailed engineering layout, specifying inverter types, panel specs, total capacity, and electrical line diagrams.
   • The installer submits an interconnection application to your local electric utility provider before physical construction begins.
   • The utility reviews the design to ensure local transformers and grid infrastructure can safely handle potential backfed power.
2. Interconnection Agreement Execution
   • Once the utility completes its technical screening and approves the application, they issue an Interconnection Agreement.
   • This is a formal contract outlining the safety, operational, and financial parameters (including net metering or billing rules) between you and the utility.
3. Physical Installation and Permitting
   • With the agreement and local municipal building/electrical permits secured, your contractor mounts the panels, runs conduits, and sets up the inverter and rapid-shutdown hardware.
   • A local city or county building inspector visits the property to sign off on structural, electrical, and grounding compliance.
4. Inspection and Certificate of Completion (COC)
   • Your installer submits a Certificate of Completion (along with local inspection sign-offs) back to the utility.
   • The utility may choose to perform its own physical or virtual inspection to verify that rapid shutdown, inverter settings, and anti-islanding protections function correctly.
5. Meter Swap and Permission to Operate (PTO)
   • The utility replaces your legacy electric meter with a bi-directional smart meter capable of measuring power imported from the grid vs. exported back to it.
   • The utility issues Permission to Operate (PTO). Crucial rule: Do not turn your system on "live" until official PTO is granted by the utility. Operating beforehand can result in heavy fines or disconnection.

To explore specific utility timelines, guidelines, and application portals, you can reference resources like EnergySage or look up the dedicated renewable energy/distributed generation portal on your local electric company’s official website.

To help tailor this to your situation, could you tell me:

• Who your electric utility provider is?
• Are you planning a DIY installation or working with a professional contractor?

Connecting a solar system to the grid is usually done through a grid-tied solar design + utility interconnection agreement. The smoothest approach is to design the system around your utility’s rules before installation, rather than installing first and trying to get approval afterward.

1. Choose the right system configuration

A typical grid-connected solar system includes:

• PV panels → produce DC electricity
• Grid-tied inverter → converts DC to AC and synchronizes with the utility grid
• AC disconnect (if required) → allows safe utility access
• Main service panel connection → ties solar into your home's electrical system
• Utility meter → measures electricity you import/export (often a bidirectional meter)
• Optional battery storage → can provide backup power and manage exports

For most homes, the inverter is the key interconnection component because it must meet utility and safety requirements. Many utilities require approved inverter standards and equipment lists.

2. Check utility rules before buying equipment

Before signing an installation contract, confirm:

• Maximum allowed system size
• Whether net metering or net billing is available
• Required inverter certifications
• Whether batteries change the application requirements
• Whether your service panel needs an upgrade
• Whether your location requires an engineering review

Your installer normally handles this, but you should review the proposed design and agreement yourself.

3. Submit the interconnection application

The utility typically needs:

• System size (kW)
• Panel and inverter make/model
• One-line electrical diagram
• Site plan/layout
• Expected production estimates
• Customer and account information
• Sometimes electrical drawings and permits

Many installers submit the application on the homeowner’s behalf.

4. Wait for utility approval before construction (when required)

The utility reviews the application to ensure the grid can safely accept the added generation. Possible outcomes:

• Fast approval — common for smaller residential systems
• Additional review — if the system is large or the local grid has constraints
• Required upgrades — occasionally needed, such as transformer or service upgrades

PG&E Eversource## 5. Install the system and pass inspections

After approval:

1. Install panels, inverter, wiring, and protection equipment.
2. Complete local building/electrical inspections.
3. Submit final inspection documents to the utility.
4. Schedule meter work if required.

EnergySage## 6. Get Permission to Operate (PTO)

Do not operate a grid-connected solar system until the utility grants permission to operate. PTO is the final authorization that allows the inverter to run in parallel with the grid and activates the applicable billing arrangement.

7. Optimize the system after approval

Once running, monitor:

• Daily production (kWh)
• Exported electricity
• Consumption patterns
• Battery behavior (if installed)
• Utility bills versus expected savings

A few design choices that can improve results:

• Size the array based on your actual annual electricity use.
• Avoid oversizing if your utility pays little for excess generation.
• Consider batteries if you want backup power or more control over when energy is used.
• Use equipment already accepted by your utility when possible to reduce review delays.

If you tell me your utility company, state, system size (or monthly electric bill), and whether you want batteries, I can outline the specific interconnection path and paperwork you’ll likely need.

The best approach is to treat the solar installation and utility interconnection as one project, rather than installing the panels first and figuring out the grid connection afterward.

Recommended process

1. Decide how you want the system to operate

• Grid-tied, no battery: simplest and usually cheapest.
• Grid-tied + battery: lets you shift solar energy to evening/night and can provide backup if the system is designed for it.
• No-export: solar supplies your loads but a control system prevents power from being exported to the grid.
• Exporting: excess generation flows to the grid and is credited/paid according to your utility and local rules.

2. Have a qualified installer do a site and electrical assessment They should determine:

• annual and hourly electricity consumption;
• appropriate PV and inverter size;
• main-panel/service capacity;
• whether a new meter, protection equipment, or service upgrade is needed;
• whether the utility has an export limit at your connection point.

3. Do the interconnection application before committing to equipment

The installer should prepare the electrical single-line diagram, equipment specifications, inverter certifications, site plan, proposed capacity, and protection settings and submit them to the distribution utility.

The utility may:

• approve the proposed connection as-is;
• impose an export limit;
• require a different connection arrangement;
• require a service upgrade or network study.

4. Install the system to the approved design

A typical grid-connected system looks roughly like:

PV panels → DC protection → grid-tied inverter → AC protection/disconnect → main distribution board → bidirectional meter → utility grid

The inverter needs appropriate anti-islanding and grid-protection functionality; this is one reason you shouldn't DIY the grid connection even if you are comfortable installing low-voltage solar equipment. 5. Complete inspection, commissioning and utility activation

Depending on the jurisdiction, this can involve an electrical inspection, submission of the installation certificate, utility inspection, meter reconfiguration/replacement, and a formal permission to operate. 6. Set up the financial arrangement

Make sure the electricity contract actually reflects the solar arrangement—particularly how exported energy is compensated. Don't assume that "net metering" exists in the same form everywhere.

If you're in Spain

Spain has a relatively streamlined framework for residential autoconsumo. IDAE's current guidance distinguishes between:

• Autoconsumo sin excedentes — the system is prevented from exporting electricity to the grid.
• Autoconsumo con excedentes — surplus electricity can be exported.

For a typical small residential installation, the practical route is:

Installer → design → municipal/regional paperwork → installation → CIE/legalization → distributor/commercializer → autoconsumption activated on your electricity contract.

For example, installations with no surplus, and installations with surplus of ≤15 kW on suitably urbanized land, are generally exempt from obtaining generation access/connection permits under the applicable rules.

For renewable installations up to 100 kW, Spain's simplified compensation mechanism can allow exported electricity to be financially offset against electricity consumed from the grid, subject to the requirements in RD 244/2019. The compensation is an economic settlement rather than a simple one-for-one "battery in the grid."

IDAE also says that for installations below 100 kW, once the installation certificate is properly submitted, the remaining distributor/commercialization steps are largely automated; it recommends using a qualified installer to handle the paperwork.

Useful official references:

My practical recommendation

For a normal house, I'd ask 2–3 reputable solar installers for proposals that explicitly include:

• PV capacity and expected annual production
• inverter model and certifications
• battery option, if desired
• maximum export power
• single-line electrical diagram
• all utility/distributor and government paperwork
• meter/contract changes
• commissioning and final legalization
• warranty
• expected self-consumption and exported-energy assumptions

The most important thing is to get the interconnection/export constraints established before finalizing the inverter and system size. That prevents the common problem of buying a system that the utility won't allow you to export at its intended capacity.

If you tell me your country (and, if Spain, your municipality/distributor) plus the approximate panel size you’re considering, I can lay out the exact interconnection steps and paperwork for your situation.

For a normal house, I'd ask 2–3 reputable solar installers for proposals that explicitly include:

• PV capacity and expected annual production
• inverter model and certifications
• battery option, if desired
• maximum export power
• single-line electrical diagram
• all utility/distributor and government paperwork
• meter/contract changes
• commissioning and final legalization
• warranty
• expected self-consumption and exported-energy assumptions

The most important thing is to get the interconnection/export constraints established before finalizing the inverter and system size. That prevents the common problem of buying a system that the utility won't allow you to export at its intended capacity.

If you tell me your country (and, if Spain, your municipality/distributor) plus the approximate panel size you’re considering, I can lay out the exact interconnection steps and paperwork for your situation.

Connecting a grid-tied solar panel system safely and legally requires navigating both structural installation and the strict administrative rules of your local electric utility. The gold standard for handling this is to let a licensed, experienced solar contractor manage the process, as they deal with utility portals and municipal requirements daily.

The sequential steps for connecting to the grid and handling the utility interconnection process involve:

1. System Design and Application Submission
   • Your installer creates a detailed single-line electrical diagram, equipment spec sheets (panels and inverter), and site plans.
   • They submit an Interconnection Application to your utility company before any physical installation begins.
2. Utility Engineering Review
   • The utility reviews the technical specs to ensure local grid infrastructure can safely handle potential backfed power without risking line workers or transformers.
   • Upon passing their screen, the utility issues a conditional approval or an Interconnection Agreement.
3. Permitting and Physical Installation
   • Your installer pulls local building and electrical permits from your municipal Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
   • The solar array, inverter, rapid shutdown switches, and production/interconnection disconnects are physically installed.
4. Local Inspections
   • A municipal or county inspector evaluates the physical mounting, wiring, and safety code compliance.
   • Once passed, the inspection sign-off (Certificate of Completion) is sent back to the utility.
5. Meter Swap and Permission to Operate (PTO)
   • The utility schedules or performs a final review and replaces your standard utility meter with a net/bidirectional smart meter capable of measuring power flow in both directions.
   • The utility officially issues Permission to Operate (PTO) , and your system can legally be turned on.

For further context, you can read more about grid connection requirements on the Enphase Solar Interconnection Guide or check regulatory frameworks through the National Association of Home Builders Solar Toolkit.

If you'd like, let me know:

• What electric utility company you have
• Whether you are planning a DIY installation or hiring a professional contractor

I can give you more specific insights on their average timeline or net-billing policies.

The best approach is to treat utility interconnection as part of the solar project from day one, not as paperwork to do after installation. The exact rules depend on your utility and state, but the overall process is similar.

Recommended process

1. Identify your utility and interconnection program

• Find the utility's distributed-generation/net-metering rules.
• Determine whether you're doing simple net metering, a buy-all/sell-all arrangement, or another export program.
• Check whether batteries will be included and whether they can export.

The U.S. Department of Energy notes that interconnection requirements vary substantially by utility and local jurisdiction. The Department of Energy's Energy.gov The Department of Energy's Energy.gov 2. Design the system around the utility's requirements Your installer/electrical engineer should determine:

• PV DC size and inverter AC rating
• Point of interconnection
• Main-panel/busbar capacity
• Inverter certification and anti-islanding protection
• Disconnect requirements
• Metering configuration
• Battery operating/export settings, if applicable

The inverter needs to automatically disconnect generation from the grid during an outage unless the system has appropriately designed equipment that can safely island the premises. This protects utility workers and the grid. FPL The Department of Energy's Energy.gov 3. Submit the interconnection application before installing This is one of the most important rules. Don't assume that getting a building/electrical permit means you're approved to export electricity.

A typical application includes the system design, one-line diagram, equipment specifications, inverter information, system capacity, site information, and sometimes an application fee or insurance documentation. 4. Wait for utility approval The utility may:

• Approve the project through a simplified/fast-track process.
• Request corrections or additional information.
• Require a more detailed engineering study.
• Require electrical-system upgrades if the local grid can't accommodate the proposed generation.

Larger projects generally face more extensive review. DOE describes the utility's role as evaluating whether the project can connect safely and reliably to the existing grid. The Department of Energy's Energy.gov 5. Get the local permits and install Once the utility gives the required preapproval, obtain the applicable building/electrical permits and have the system installed by a qualified contractor. 6. Pass the inspection and submit the completion documents Your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) normally needs to approve the electrical installation. The utility may require the final inspection/permit documentation before completing interconnection. FPL 7. Get Permission to Operate (PTO) This is the finish line. The utility may install or reprogram a bidirectional meter, then issue authorization to operate.

Do not turn on a grid-connected export system merely because the panels are installed and inspected. For example, FPL explicitly prohibits operation before the appropriate bidirectional meter is installed and approval is given.

If you're in Florida

This is particularly relevant because you're in Florida. The exact procedure depends on your utility.

For example, FPL currently requires customers to start the net-metering application before installing the system and uses three size tiers: up to 10 kW, >10–100 kW, and >100 kW–2 MW. Systems above 10 kW have additional requirements, while systems ≥50 kW require three-phase WYE service.

FPL's current workflow is essentially:

Pre-approval → sign interconnection agreement → install → local inspection → submit final documents → utility approval → bidirectional meter → Permission to Operate.

If you're served by a different Florida utility, such as Tampa Electric, Duke Energy Florida, or a municipal/co-op utility, don't assume FPL's rules apply.

The easiest way to avoid problems

If you're hiring a solar company, I'd make interconnection a contractual deliverable. Ask:

• "Will you submit the utility interconnection application?"
• "Is utility preapproval obtained before installation?"
• "Who pays for utility-required upgrades?"
• "Who handles the AHJ inspection?"
• "Who obtains Permission to Operate?"
• "Does the quoted price include the interconnection/application fees?"
• "What happens if the utility rejects the proposed system?"
• "Is the battery configured for grid export, and has that been included in the interconnection application?"

A good installer should handle most of this for you. DOE likewise notes that when a solar installer is engaged, the installer can handle the interconnection process.

The key principle: design → utility application/preapproval → permits → installation → inspection → utility approval/meter → PTO. Don't install first and ask the utility afterward.

If you tell me which Florida utility serves your address (FPL, TECO, Duke, etc.) and roughly how large the system is (e.g. 10 kW solar + 20 kWh battery), I can walk you through the exact interconnection process, forms, likely fees, and technical requirements for that utility.

Connecting a solar panel system to the grid—a process known as utility interconnection —requires careful coordination between you (or your installer), your local permitting office, and your electric utility company. Turning on your system before receiving formal approval is illegal and dangerous to grid line workers.

The best way to handle the interconnection process is to follow a structured, sequential workflow.

The 5-Step Interconnection & Connection Workflow

1. Submit the Interconnection Application
   • What happens: Before a single panel is mounted, your installer submits an application to your utility with technical specs, equipment data sheets (inverters, panels), and a single-line electrical diagram.
   • Best practice: Do this concurrently with local building permit applications to avoid double-handling design changes.
2. Utility Technical Review & Conditional Approval
   • What happens: The utility evaluates if local grid infrastructure can handle your system's backfed electricity. They verify transformer limits and safety protocols (such as rapid shutdown and anti-islanding compliance via IEEE 1547).
   • Best practice: Ensure your contractor designs within standard export limits to prevent the utility from forcing expensive grid upgrade studies.
3. Physical Installation & Local Inspection
   • What happens: Once conditional approval/the interconnection agreement is drafted, installation occurs. Afterward, a local municipal or county inspector evaluates the physical mounting, wiring, and rapid-shutdown disconnects.
4. Certificate of Completion (COC) & Meter Swap
   • What happens: Your installer submits the signed COC (along with your local inspection sign-off) to the utility. The utility then schedules a site visit to swap your old meter out for a bi-directional (net) smart meter that tracks power sent to vs. pulled from the grid.
5. Permission to Operate (PTO)
   • What happens: The utility issues official PTO . Only after this document is in your hands can you or your installer flip the main breaker and turn the solar system on.

Pro-Tips for a Smooth Process

• Hire a Pro for the Paperwork: While DIY hardware installation is possible in some jurisdictions, managing utility portals, line diagrams, and rule compliance (like NEC guidelines) is notoriously bureaucratic. Letting a licensed solar contractor handle the interconnection guarantees recourse if delays happen.
• Watch Out for Timelines: Utility review times vary wildly—from a few days to several months depending on your region and whether grid upgrades are needed. Factor this wait into your timeline.
• Learn more about the technical nuances through resources like the Enphase Interconnection Guide or specialized workflow tools like Greenlancer's Interconnection Breakdown.

If you want to dive deeper, let me know:

• Who your electric utility provider is
• Where you are located (state/region)
• Whether you are planning a DIY installation or hiring a contractor

I can give you a better idea of typical approval timelines and net metering rules in your area.

The best way to connect a solar panel system to the grid is to hire a licensed, experienced solar contractor who handles the technical utility interconnection process and paperwork for you.

The utility interconnection process ensures that your system safely integrates with local electrical lines and features critical anti-islanding protection so power does not backfeed during a grid outage.

The Interconnection Steps

1. Application Submission: Your installer submits an interconnection application to your local electric utility with technical specs, equipment models, and site diagrams.
2. Review and Screening: The utility reviews the project to verify that local infrastructure can safely handle the extra two-way power flow.
3. Approval and Agreement: Once it passes technical screening, the utility issues an approval and provides an interconnection contract to sign.
4. Installation and Inspection: Your contractor builds the system, and local code officials or electrical inspectors approve the physical work.
5. Meter Swap and PTO: The utility replaces your old meter with a bidirectional (dual-channel) meter and grants official Permission to Operate (PTO).

If you want, share:

• Your local utility provider name
• Whether you are doing a DIY installation or hiring a professional

I can give you more specific tips on timeline expectations and local requirements.

The best approach is to treat grid interconnection as a utility engineering/approval project, not just an electrical hookup. For a typical residential system, the cleanest path is to use a qualified solar installer who handles the utility application, permits, inspections, and final permission to operate.

Since you appear to be in Maryland, the process is roughly:

1. Design the system around your actual load. Size the PV array and inverter based on your annual electricity use, roof/site constraints, service-panel capacity, and whether you want batteries. Maryland's net-metering rules generally limit an eligible system to 2 MW and, initially, to no more than 200% of the customer's baseline annual usage.
2. Determine your electric utility first. Your utility—not the state—performs the actual distribution-grid interconnection. Maryland's major utilities include BGE, Pepco, Delmarva, Potomac Edison, and SMECO, and each has its own interconnection process.
3. Have the installer submit the interconnection application before operating the system. The application typically includes the one-line electrical diagram, equipment/inverter specifications, system size, site information, and other engineering documentation. Maryland's current rules provide different review processes depending on system characteristics.
4. Use a compliant smart inverter. This is particularly important in Maryland: since January 1, 2024, small-generator systems requiring an inverter must use a smart inverter meeting IEEE 1547-2018 and UL 1741-SB, or subsequent revisions, with the applicable Maryland/utility settings profile.
5. Let the utility determine whether upgrades are necessary. For straightforward residential systems, the utility may approve the interconnection without major grid work. Larger systems or constrained circuits can trigger engineering studies or upgrade costs. Maryland also allows certain flexible/limited-export configurations, which can sometimes avoid expensive upgrades.
6. Complete local permitting and construction. The installer obtains the applicable building/electrical permits, installs the panels, inverter, disconnects, and associated equipment, and schedules the required inspections.
7. Get the utility's final approval/Permission to Operate. Don't turn on an export-capable system simply because the panels and inspection are finished. The utility needs to complete its interconnection process and authorize operation. Maryland's PSC specifically notes that the interconnection agreement/certificate-of-completion process goes through the utility.
8. Install/activate the appropriate meter and enroll in net metering. Maryland requires a bidirectional meter for net energy metering, allowing the utility to measure electricity flowing both to and from the grid.

If you're doing it yourself

I'd recommend not designing the grid connection from scratch unless you're a licensed electrician/engineer familiar with your utility's requirements. The important pieces aren't simply "connect the inverter to the panel"; you need properly rated overcurrent protection, disconnecting means, grounding/bonding, anti-islanding protection, inverter settings, utility-approved equipment, and compliance with the applicable electrical code and utility tariff.

For a Maryland homeowner, a good installer should be able to give you a written interconnection timeline, identify your utility, tell you whether your existing service panel can accommodate the system, and specify exactly who is responsible for the utility application and Permission to Operate.

One useful current Maryland resource is the PSC's Small Generator Interconnection page, which contains the current standards and utility application links.

If you tell me your utility (e.g., Pepco/BGE/Delmarva), system size in kW, and whether you want batteries, I can lay out the exact Maryland interconnection sequence and what paperwork/costs to expect.