I can't tell you about the new services out there. I installed my panels in 2006 when I built my home.
Depending on how much you know about 1) roofing and 2) wiring, will answer your question on what is the best route. If you never did roof work before or you aren't good with wiring a home, there is no shame in that. You'll want someone who has real experience to help, and not be just some dude watching a bunch of youtube videos to figure it out. Nothing spells out n00b more than just watching a bunch of youtube videos than acting like *get out mah way, I know what I'm doing*.
IDK how your local laws are out there. I'm pretty sure you need the installation inspected before you qualify for a grid tie, as a power service provider has the right to not give you services if they deem something unsafe. Here we have ComEd and they were easy to work with, but it also helps that my work is meticulously organized. But if you don't want to grid tie and want to generate power on the side for whatever application you have in mind, then the nice thing is, you can start small and build up over time.
Firstly, this is a lot of math. IMO the #1 reason people get taken for a ride, because they are lazy and avoid the number crunching. If you avoid the math, you're going to pay for it later.
Things to calculate.
-Load bearing of the roof in your favorite weight unit of choice.
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Usable surface area.
-Total Installation weight + tolerances for body-weight and weather.
'Roofs are built strong' assume everything is okay. Then go look at how many roofs cave in or leak after one good storm. One thing I can tell you 10+ years in, is that solar doesn't prevent other maintenance. I have a soldered copper roof with some kind of synthetic tiles(can't remember what they are off the top of my head, sorry, it's been a while) and it's among the most durable and lowest maintenance roofing you can find, rated at something like 150 years. Adding all the mounting and panels took basically an impenetrable layer and required a custom channeling system just because I also have a RWH tank. Those were my challenges. You WILL have your own goofy challenges, so
do the math.
Other things to calculate.
-Power generation. Don't go by the max output. Panels are rarely more than 40% efficient for the life of the cells, doesn't matter if you have perfect sunlight all year. So be realistic with your calculations.
-Reserve system space and maintenance. Yep, the batteries, the junction/fuse, the controller. These things generate their own heat and need space for safety. If you have some tiny utility area, plan that area. Botch jobs that just mount everything to the wall and forget about it will be an issue down the line if you don't have a good plan from the get go.
Also calculate whether it would be smarter to do an insulation overhaul of the house. When I built my home, I used something called rammed earth. So I only use very little heat and A/C. And mostly A/C because I have a lot of heat outputting equipment for my business(not a small home either). Your solar installation might cost you $20k DIY, but you're adding to consumption and IMO solar can get put off a bit, because solar tech does improve considerably every decade(if not better output then lower cost), where insulation efficacy today is roughly the same as insulation efficacy 50 years ago.
I can write novels as is on my experience. But if you spend $350 a month on HVAC, I would rethink quite a bit.
