InstallationUp to date · Jan 15, 2026
Trenching
Digging a narrow channel to bury electrical conduit, typically for ground-mount solar arrays, detached garage EV charger wiring, or battery storage systems installed away from the main panel.
Why It Matters
Trenching adds $5-15 per foot to installation costs. Knowing when it is required helps you budget accurately for ground-mount solar or detached garage EV charging.
Related Terms
Balance of System (BOS)
All solar system components beyond the panels themselves: inverter, racking, wiring, monitoring, electrical panel upgrades, and installation labor.
Soft Costs
Non-hardware expenses in a solar installation: permitting, inspection, interconnection fees, customer acquisition, labor, overhead, and profit margin. Soft costs are ~65% of US residential solar prices.