How to Perform A Solar Site Survey
- Sarah Lozanova
- Jan 19
- 11 min read
Table of Contents
Conducting a professional solar site assessment is the foundation of a high-performing installation and a transparent sales process. This stage involves gathering the critical property data required to build an accurate solar PV site survey report format that prevents costly change orders later. Because high-quality site visits require significant time and resources, many contractors now prequalify leads by sharing rough pricing and managing expectations—such as battery backup needs—before heading into the field.
To increase efficiency, savvy installers often use remote solar site survey tools or AI solar site survey technology to identify potential shading issues or "red flag" roof conditions from the office. Whether you rely on customer-submitted data and satellite imagery or prefer a comprehensive solar site survey checklist for 2026 that includes drone photography and structural roof inspections, accuracy is non-negotiable.
Whether you go remote or on-site, knowing what to include in a proper solar survey is essential. GreenLancer provides trusted solar design services for contractors and solar repair support for homeowners backed by more than 12 years of industry experience.
What Is A Solar Site Survey?
A solar site survey is an opportunity to inspect a prospective customer’s property before designing and installing a photovoltaic system. It is also a chance to establish rapport with them, so it’s helpful to be punctual, professional, and prepared.
The site survey is your opportunity to gather all the information essential for the solar PV system design, permitting, and interconnection process. You will inspect the roof and electrical panel, look for trees and buildings shading the roof, and review your client’s historical electricity use.
Your solar design software might have features that can assist you, such as providing a shade analysis of the roof or calculating the available roof space for PV modules. However, you can review this information for accuracy on your site visit. Did the homeowner just install numerous skylights that don’t appear on the aerial images? Is the roof on its last leg? Did a neighbor to the south just chop down a huge pine tree, boosting the solar exposure? These are all valuable questions to ask when on-site.
During the site assessment, you will also want to gather any information the installation crew will need before they start. For example, will running the conduit require a unique approach or special tools?
How to Conduct a Professional Solar Site Assessment
You will need to complete the following activities during the site panel survey.
Determine if the home or business needs an electric panel upgrade: Most houses require at least a 200-amp service, but many older homes do not have this. The needs vary widely for businesses, depending on their electrical system and loads.
Inspect the roof condition: Ideally, you want to install a solar energy system on a relatively new roof that won’t need to be replaced in the next few years. Determining the roof type to create a plan for mounting the solar modules is also helpful. Wood and slate roofs can be especially challenging, while standing seam metal roofs and cement roof tile roofs can be the easiest.
Determine if there is excessive shading: Historically, solar contractors used tools such as the Solar Pathfinder to determine if there was too much shade, but now many installers rely on solar design software. The solar array won’t produce sufficient electricity if the roof is too shaded. Sometimes, the homeowner or business is willing to trim or possibly remove trees to improve the solar resource. If the house roof is too shaded, determine if there is an alternative place to mount the panels, such as a garage roof or ground mount.
Look for roof obstruction: If the home has chimneys, skylights, vents, HVAC equipment, or mechanical systems, you must design the solar panel layout around them. This will reduce the available space for modules, reducing the size and potential output of the solar power system.
Take roof measurements: You can either do this manually or use solar design software with this feature. The measurements will be used to calculate the available space for solar panels and the roof pitch.
Choose the placement of the inverter and conduit run: The solar inverter should be located out of direct sunlight and in a dry location. Depending on the layout, the conduit can go on the exterior or interior of the home or business.
Consider additional energy-efficiency recommendations: Some solar companies also give suggestions for reducing energy use. Giving helpful recommendations can be an excellent way to provide a great customer experience.
Get to know your potential client: A critical aspect of a solar survey is establishing rapport with the customer and earning their trust. It's a good opportunity to learn about what is important to them, their design preferences, and their concerns.
Essential Solar Site Survey Checklist for 2026
To conduct a high-quality solar site assessment in 2026, installers must look beyond basic roof dimensions. This solar site survey checklist for 2026 incorporates the latest AI solar site survey technology and NEC 2023/2026 compliance requirements to ensure your solar PV site survey report format is permit-ready.
1. Electrical Inspection: Main Service Panel & Load Analysis
A comprehensive solar site survey checklist should include evaluating the home’s or business’s main electrical service panel to determine whether an upgrade is necessary.
Busbar and Main Breaker Ratings:Â Record the ratings for both to determine if the system meets the "120% Rule" or requires a main lug de-rate.
Service Capacity:Â Verify if the property has at least 200-amp service.
Smart Panel Integration:Â Check if the homeowner plans to install a smart electrical panel (e.g., Span) to manage AI-driven load shedding.
Future-Proofing:Â Document plans for EV chargers, heat pumps, or electric ranges that will impact future consumption.
2. Structural Roof Assessment: Integrity & Mounting
A proper structural roof assessment for solar prevents leaks and structural failure over the system's 25-year lifespan.
Roof Condition:Â Identify signs of aging, such as granular loss, curling shingles, or pooling on flat roofs.
Rafter Size and Spacing:Â Measure rafters (e.g., 2x4 vs. 2x6) and their on-center spacing to ensure the roof can handle the "dead load" of the panels.
Roof Type:Â Note if the material is asphalt shingle, standing seam metal, or tile, as this dictates the mounting hardware required.
3. Advanced Shading Analysis & Obstructions
Modern solar shading analysis software requires precise field data to generate accurate production estimates.
Digital Obstruction Mapping:Â Use LiDAR-enabled apps to map chimneys, vents, and HVAC units.
Vegetation Audit: Identify trees that will cause shading issues within the next 3–5 years.
Neighboring Structures:Â Note any planned or existing multi-story buildings that may impact the sun path.
4. Battery & ESS Readiness
With energy storage becoming standard, your onsite solar assessment must include a dedicated battery evaluation.
Wall Space & Clearances:Â Ensure there is adequate wall space that meets modern fire codes (typically requiring clearance from windows and doors).
Thermal Environment:Â Determine if the battery will be in a temperature-controlled garage or an outdoor-rated enclosure.
Bollard Requirements:Â If installing in a garage, check if local codes require vehicle impact bollards.
5. Digital Twin & High-Resolution Documentation
In 2026, the best solar site survey apps for installers focus on creating a "Digital Twin" of the property.
Drone Imagery: Follow drone solar survey best practices by capturing 360-degree high-resolution photos for 3D modeling.
Conduit Paths: Take clear photos of the proposed conduit run from the roof to the main service panel inspection point.
Utility Verification:Â Snap a high-quality photo of the utility meter and a full year of electricity bills to finalize the system sizing.
6. Permitting & Zoning Requirements
Local regulations play a pivotal role in solar installations. Solar zoning, codes, building permits, and environmental considerations vary by location. A comprehensive understanding of these factors during the site panel survey ensures compliance, streamlines the permitting process, and facilitates a smooth transition from assessment to the successful installation of solar panels.
GreenLancer specializes in overcoming solar permitting issues. Our fulfillment partners have worked with most jurisdictions across the United States and understand location-specific requirements. Create a free account to begin shopping for solar permit design and engineering services.
An On-site Vs. Remote Solar Site Survey
When deciding between an on-site solar panel survey and a remote one, it is essential to consider the advantages and drawbacks of each approach. While onsite solar surveys offer detailed and accurate information about the specific property, remote surveys provide a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative with access to high-resolution imagery.
An On-Site Solar Survey
Below are the main pros and cons of conducting an in-person solar survey:
A Remote Solar Panel Survey
Here are the advantages and drawbacks to conducting solar surveys remotely:
Using Drones for Faster Solar Site Surveys
Drones are utilized in solar surveys to streamline the surveying process and improve efficiency in assessing potential areas for solar installation. By using drone technology, solar professionals can conduct a comprehensive survey in a much shorter time compared to traditional manual methods.
Drones equipped with advanced cameras can capture dozens of ultra-high-resolution images of rooftops during the solar survey. These images are then used to extract measurements, create detailed 3D models, and analyze shading for solar panel placement.
Drones are used in solar site surveys to collect quick and accurate data, leading to faster project assessment and planning. Depending on factors like roof size, drones can complete a solar site survey in as little as 35 minutes, offering a more efficient alternative to time-consuming manual surveys. By creating flight plans using specialized apps before launching the drone, surveyors can outline the roof and approve auto-generated plans in just minutes.
How Solar Design Software Helps with Solar Site Surveys
Solar design software has transformed the solar site assessment from a manual guessing game into a high-precision digital workflow. By integrating AI solar site survey technology, these platforms allow installers to visualize a property’s potential before a single rail is bolted to the roof.
Here are the primary ways advanced software streamlines the solar installation site inspection:
Accurate 3D Modeling & Digital Twins: Using high-resolution aerial imagery and LiDAR data, software tools create a digital twin for solar design. These 3D models account for roof pitch, surrounding structures, and dormers, allowing for precise simulations of environmental impacts throughout the year.
Automated Solar Shading Analysis: Instead of relying solely on handheld tools, installers use solar shading analysis software in 2026 to track the sun’s path. The software identifies "no-go" zones caused by trees or chimneys, optimizing panel placement for maximum irradiance.
Dynamic Energy Production Estimations: By factoring in local weather patterns, system orientation, and panel degradation, the software provides a rigorous solar site analysis. This data helps installers provide homeowners with bankable financial projections and energy offsets.
Custom System Layouts & Regulatory Compliance: Software helps customize the layout based on specific site constraints and fire code setbacks. This ensures that the final solar PV site survey report format aligns with local solar zoning and safety requirements.
Instant Solar PV Site Survey Report PDF Generation: One of the greatest efficiencies is the ability to export a comprehensive solar PV site survey template into a professional report. These reports consolidate system specs, financial ROI, and site photos into a standardized solar site visit report template ready for engineering.
Imaging and Remote Sensing Tools for Solar Surveys
Rapid advancements in hardware and mapping data have fundamentally changed how we approach a solar site assessment. By utilizing remote solar site survey tools, installers can now capture architectural-grade data without ever stepping onto a roof.
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging): This technology uses laser pulses to create high-density digital twins for solar design. In 2026, LiDAR is essential for measuring precise roof elevations, pitch, and complex structural roof assessment for solar data. These scans provide the raw data needed for solar shading analysis software in 2026 to calculate how every nearby tree or building affects energy yield.
High-Resolution Satellite & GIS Data: By accessing Geographic Information System (GIS) datasets, solar design software can evaluate topographic features across entire neighborhoods. This allows for a preliminary solar site analysis that identifies slope and orientation issues before an on-site solar assessment is even scheduled.
Remote Sensing for PV Efficiency: Advanced imaging tools now offer multi-spectral data to evaluate thermal signatures on a roof. Integrating these insights into a solar PV site survey report format helps engineers identify potential heat traps or ventilation issues that could impact the long-term performance of the Solar PV modules.
Pro Tips for a Smooth and Accurate Solar Survey
To excel in the solar energy industry, a surveyor must be part technician and part consultant. Here are professional tips to ensure your solar installation site inspection is flawless:
Identify Project "Show-Stoppers" Early: During your solar site survey, look for red flags that could increase costs or halt the project, such as a crumbling sub-roof, an outdated main service panel, or localized solar zoning restrictions.
Come Prepared: Beyond a ladder, ensure you have remote solar site survey tools like a smartphone with a LiDAR-enabled solar site survey app for installers. Taking dozens of high-resolution photos of the meter, panel, and roof line will prevent the need for a second trip.
Know Local Regulations & HOAs:Â Familiarize yourself with specific setbacks and codes that impact Solar PVÂ design. In 2026, some historical districts or HOAs have strict rules regarding panel visibility that must be documented in your solar site visit report template.
Understand Solar Permitting Requirements:Â Research the necessary solar permitting procedures for your area. Knowing the local permitting process can save time and ensure compliance with regulations.
Utilize Advanced Shading Analysis:Â Don't just eyeball the trees. Use solar shading analysis software in 2026Â to get a precise read on how obstructions will impact production over the next two decades.
Document Structural & Digital Data: Beyond manual measurements, use digital tools to capture rafter spacing and roof pitch. This ensures your solar PV site survey report PDF is accurate enough for a structural engineer’s stamp.
Communicate with Homeowners:Â Engage with the property owners during the survey to understand their energy needs and expectations. Clear communication can help tailor the solar system to meet their requirements effectively.
Design for Future Scalability: Always plan for future expansion by assessing available roof space and the capacity of the electrical busbar. Building a "battery-ready" system is a major value-add in today’s market.
Why Onsite Solar Surveys Still Matter
Onsite site surveys, where a surveyor physically visits the location, may involve additional costs compared to remote survey tools like aerial images. The best way to determine if there are any charges for a solar site survey is to contact specific solar companies or installers and inquire about their pricing and services.
How a Solar Site Survey Benefits Every Project
Although many solar companies have moved to fully remote solar site surveys, an on-site solar survey can still be very useful and improve the customer experience. It’s an excellent opportunity to create rapport with the potential customer and identify things that could increase the project cost or installation time, which can prevent you from underbidding or causing delays for the solar installers.
Whether you're a solar contractor looking for fast, code-compliant permit plan sets or a homeowner in need of expert solar repairs or upgrades, GreenLancer has you covered. Our U.S.-based team and nationwide network of licensed professionals deliver reliable support for every stage of your solar projects.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Site Assessments
What is included in a standard solar site survey checklist for 2026?
A modern checklist covers the main service panel capacity and detailed structural roof data. It also includes high-resolution photos and digital shading measurements to ensure a permit-ready design.
How does AI solar site survey technology improve project accuracy?
This technology uses machine learning to identify roof obstructions and calculate precise pitch from aerial imagery. It reduces human error during the solar site assessment and speeds up the proposal phase.
What are the benefits of using a solar site survey app for installers?
An app allows field technicians to upload photos and measurements directly into a standardized solar PV site survey report format. This digital workflow ensures that engineering teams receive clear data without needing a second site visit.
When should I choose a remote solar site survey over an on-site solar assessment?
Remote tools are ideal for preliminary bidding and pre-qualifying leads using satellite data. Complex projects with older electrical systems still require a physical solar installation site inspection to verify safety.
What is a digital twin for solar design, and how is it created?
A digital twin is a highly accurate 3D model of a property used for virtual system testing. It is typically generated by combining drone imagery with LiDAR data during the solar site analysis.
Why is a structural roof assessment for solar necessary before installation?
This assessment verifies that the existing rafters and decking can support the additional weight of a Solar PV system. It helps identify needed repairs to ensure the roof lasts for the full twenty-five-year life of the panels.
How do drone solar survey best practices help with shading analysis?
Drones capture hundreds of data points to model how trees and nearby buildings impact sunlight throughout the year. This data is then processed by solar shading analysis software in 2026 for high-precision production estimates.
What should I look for during a main service panel inspection checklist?
You must document the busbar rating and main breaker amperage to verify compliance with the 120% rule. It is also important to check for available circuit space or signs of electrical wear.