When it comes to solar installations, one thing can make or break your project: the solar site survey. It’s the foundation of a successful design and solar installation process, ensuring everything goes smoothly from design to energization.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of a modern solar site survey, from tools and techniques to best practices. So, buckle up, and let’s get started!
What is a solar site survey?
A solar site survey is like a health checkup for your solar project. It’s a detailed initial assessment of the property where you plan to install solar panels.
This assessment includes checking the roof or ground conditions, measuring available space, analyzing shading, and evaluating the electrical system.
Solar site surveys gather the information needed to design a safe, efficient system that meets customers’ needs.
Why solar site surveys are mission-critical
A thorough solar site survey solves many challenges of solar project management and is essential for several reasons.
Assessing the true solar potential of a site
Several online resources, such as NREL’s Solar Supply Curves, the Global Solar Atlas, and the National Solar Radiation Database from NOA, provide robust initial estimates of solar potential for any site.
However, they don’t account for specific local conditions like shading from nearby trees or buildings. An accurate on-site assessment ensures you’re designing a system that delivers the energy your customer expects under real conditions.
For example, a site survey might reveal that a south-facing roof receives less sunlight than anticipated due to shading. This information would allow you to adjust the system size or consider alternative panel placements to maximize energy production while reducing solar installation costs.
Ensuring optimal system design and performance
A site survey provides the critical data needed to design a system that fits the site perfectly. It helps determine:
- The optimal panel layout
- Lilt angle
- Wiring
Site surveys also identify potential obstructions and ensure the property’s electrical system can handle the required load.
For instance, a site survey might reveal that a particular brand of solar panel is better suited for a roof with limited space due to its higher efficiency despite a higher cost.
This information would allow you to select the ideal panels for the project, maximizing solar energy sustainability and production even in challenging conditions.
Minimizing risk
A comprehensive site survey helps identify potential issues early in the design phase, preventing them from becoming costly problems later on.
For example, a site survey might uncover structural weaknesses in a roof that could compromise the safety of a solar installation. It could also identify issues with the electrical system’s capacity to handle the property’s forecast energy consumption.
Tackling these issues before installation prevents potential damage and ensures the system is secure.
The elements of a thorough solar site survey
A comprehensive solar survey involves several key elements, each vital for a successful solar installation. The right solar site survey tools can help ensure accuracy and consistency across these steps. While some elements mainly apply to residential systems, others are relevant for commercial and utility-scale projects.
Roof condition assessment
A roof condition assessment evaluates roof orientation and the overall health and suitability of a roof for solar panel installation. This assessment includes checking for leaks, damage, and structural issues that could compromise the system’s safety or performance.
A qualified roofing professional or a licensed structural engineer typically performs this assessment.
During a roof assessment, field operators should gather data on the roof type, age, condition, and any existing penetrations or obstructions. This information helps determine if the roof requires repairs or reinforcement before installation and informs the optimal panel placement and mounting system.
Shading analysis
Shading analysis identifies objects that might cast shadows on the solar panels, impacting their solar energy production. These objects include trees, buildings, chimneys, and other nearby structures.
A solar professional with expertise in shading analysis performs this task using specialized software and tools.
Field operators can conduct a preliminary shading analysis by observing the site at different times of the day and noting any potential obstructions. They can also use mobile apps or drone surveys to capture images and generate 3D models for a more detailed analysis.
Accurate shading analysis is crucial for better estimating the system’s true solar power output and ensuring optimal panel placement to minimize shading losses.
Electrical systems check
An electrical system check evaluates the existing electrical infrastructure to ensure it can accommodate the additional load from the solar modules.
This system check includes assessing the main service panel, circuit breakers, wiring, and grounding. Only licensed electricians should perform this check for safety and compliance issues.
Field operators should gather information on the electrical panel’s capacity, available circuits, and any potential upgrades needed to support the solar system. This information is essential for designing a system that integrates seamlessly with the existing electrical infrastructure and complies with safety codes.
Structural integrity checks
Structural integrity checks assess the building’s structural components, such as the roof framing and foundation, to ensure they can support the solar panels’ weight and withstand wind and snow loads.
For residential projects, field operators can visually inspect the roof structure and gather information on its design, age, construction materials, and visible signs of damage.
You’ll typically need a licensed structural engineer to perform this check for larger commercial or utility-scale projects.
Cutting-edge solar site survey tools and technology
Modern solar surveys leverage cutting-edge tools and emerging solar technologies to streamline the process, improve accuracy, and enhance efficiency.
Drone surveys with LiDAR and high-resolution cameras
Drones equipped with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and high-resolution cameras capture precise 3D models of the site, including rooftops, terrain, and surrounding obstacles.
This data enables accurate measurements, detailed shading analysis, and efficient system design.
PV system design software
PV system design software uses the data collected during the site survey to create detailed 3D models of the proposed solar installation. These models allow for precise panel placement, optimal system configuration, and more accurate solar power production estimates.
The software also helps identify potential shading issues and design solutions to mitigate them, in some cases, in real time.
Advanced remote sensing equipment
Remote sensing equipment, such as solar irradiance meters and infrared cameras, can assess roof conditions, identify heat loss areas, and measure solar radiation levels.
This information helps optimize panel placement and identify potential issues affecting system performance.
Mobile apps and cloud-based survey platforms
Mobile apps and cloud-based platforms like SiteCapture offer multiple benefits to streamline data collection, analysis, and communication during site surveys.
Features such as customizable data collection forms, integrated shade analysis tools, and automated report generation save time and improve accuracy.
AI and machine learning for survey data analysis
Combined with machine learning algorithms (ML), AI can analyze vast amounts of survey data to identify patterns, predict energy production, and optimize system design. These technologies help streamline the design process, improve accuracy, and reduce human error.
Conducting a thorough site survey in seven steps
Let’s break down the site survey process into seven steps that you can use as your solar site survey checklist.
Step #1. Set up a solar site survey form
Preparation and planning are keys to a successful site survey. Using a standardized survey form ensures you gather all the necessary data consistently and accurately, minimizing the risk of missing critical information.
SiteCapture’s custom forms are an excellent way to facilitate this process. They provide a clear structure for data collection and eliminate the need for unnecessary rework.
When creating your survey form, consider including the following sections:
- General site information with fields like property address, owner’s contact information, and site dimensions.
- Roof or ground conditions with fields like roof type, age, condition, and existing penetrations or obstructions.
- Electrical system information, including main service panel capacity, available circuits, and any potential upgrades needed.
- Shading analysis, with fields to identify potential shading obstacles and their impact on sunlight exposure.
- Measurements, where you’ll record roof dimensions, panel spacing, roof tilt, cable runs, and more.
Step #2. Find satellite or aerial imagery and the reported solar potential of the site
Before heading to the site, gather satellite imagery and review any available data on the site’s solar potential.
That way, you understand the site’s layout, orientation, and potential shading issues, allowing you to plan your survey more effectively. It also gives you an acceptable initial assessment of the maximum solar power the site can produce and contrasts that with the site owner’s expectations.
For example, Global Solar Atlas (GSA) provides global solar resource data and maps, allowing installers to estimate the solar potential of any location worldwide.
While GSA bases these estimates on a custom area of 100 km2 or more, you’ll have a decent irradiance estimate per square meter or foot, allowing you to assess the number of panels your system will need for a given total output.
Step #3. Assess the main service panel and electrical system
Evaluate the site’s electrical infrastructure to ensure it can safely accommodate the solar system. This evaluation includes checking the main service panel’s capacity, available circuits, and any potential upgrades needed.
When assessing the electrical system, consider the following:
- Panel capacity: Determine if the main service panel has sufficient capacity for the additional load from the solar system.
- Circuit availability: Identify circuits that can be dedicated to the solar system to avoid overloading existing circuits or to dedicate solar only to critical circuits.
- Upgrades: Assess the need for any upgrades to the electrical system, such as replacing outdated equipment or increasing the panel capacity.
During the assessment, make sure to take high-quality pictures of all important components of the electrical system.
SiteCapture’s built-in in-app photo capture capability, combined with its new Example Photos feature, ensures your team knows what picture to take during the solar site survey. It also saves all photos taken with their smartphones in the right place to keep things nice and tidy.
Step #4. Assess the building’s structural components
For rooftop installations, assess the building’s structural integrity to ensure it can support the weight of the solar panels and withstand environmental loads like snow, wind, and rain.
When assessing structural integrity, consider the following:
- Roof framing: Inspect the roof framing for any signs of damage, rot, or structural weaknesses.
- Foundation: Evaluate the foundation’s stability and ability to support the extra weight of the solar system.
- Roof type: Determine the roof type (e.g., shingle, metal, flat) to select the appropriate mounting system and ensure compatibility with the solar panels.
A visual inspection by a skilled solar technician is often enough for residential systems. Larger commercial or ground-mounted system surveys typically involve a more thorough assessment by a structural engineer.
Step #5: Perform a shade analysis
Identify potential shading obstacles and analyze shading patterns throughout the day. Determine if it’s possible to eliminate or mitigate sources of shade, such as nearby trees or bushes.
A thorough shading analysis is critical to avoid overestimating energy production during the day and underestimating the number of needed panels and energy storage requirements.
Step #6. Take all necessary measurements
Measure the available space for solar panels. Accurate measurements are essential for optimizing panel placement and maximizing solar power production. SiteCapture’s custom forms ensure you capture all necessary measurements, eliminating the need for repeat site visits.
When taking measurements, consider the following:
- Roof dimensions: Measure the area of the roof section available for solar panels.
- Roof pitch: Measure the roof’s inclination angle as the ratio of vertical rise to horizontal run. This measurement significantly influences the optimal tilt and placement of solar panels for maximum solar exposure.
- Panel spacing: Determine the optimal spacing between panels to maximize sunlight exposure and minimize shading.
- Cable runs: Measure the distance between the solar panels and the main electrical panel to estimate cable length requirements.
Step #7. Sync all the survey data to the cloud
Once you’ve collected all the data, it’s a good idea to sync it to a cloud-based field operations software like SiteCapture. Syncing to the cloud facilitates real-time communication and provides all stakeholders immediate access to project data.
SiteCapture’s cloud-based platform automatically syncs data (including photos), ensuring everyone is on the same page and eliminating the risk of data loss.
Tips for maximizing the value of site survey data
To get the most out of your site survey data and grow your solar business, consider these tips:
- Centralize your data: Use a field operations management platform like SiteCapture to store all your survey data in one place.
- Leverage automation: Automate repetitive tasks like report generation and data analysis to save time and reduce errors. SiteCapture’s solar features streamline these processes and allow your team to focus on more strategic work.
- Collaborate effectively: Use collaboration tools to facilitate communication and coordination between your office and field teams, ensuring everyone is on the same page and can access the latest information in real time.
- Empower your customers: Utilize SiteCapture’s self-surveys and inspection feature to allow homeowners to participate in the site survey process. Empowering your customers can save you time and resources while giving them a sense of ownership.
Give your clients a shot at the best possible system
A thorough solar site survey is the cornerstone of a successful solar installation. It empowers you to design a system that maximizes power output, minimizes risks, and meets your customer’s unique needs.
Whether you’re performing a commercial or residential site survey, leveraging the latest tools and technologies, like SiteCapture, can streamline the process, improve accuracy, and deliver exceptional results that optimize energy output.
Ready to take your solar site surveys to the next level? Book a demo of SiteCapture today, or start a free trial and experience the difference firsthand!
