YOUR SOLAR SITE EVALUATION

After you’ve done some basic solar research and come up with a short list of solar installation companies to consider, the next step will be scheduling a site visit or evaluation. This is a requisite for an accurate solar panel quote and to determine the correct solar system design for your property. You’ll probably want to have 2-3 (or more) different companies come out for a site visit if possible. Site visits aren’t anything to be nervous about and shouldn’t require too much work on your part, however, we do have a few tips on what to expect and what you can do ahead of time to get the most out of your solar evaluation.

Before the Visit

Solar site evaluations are free and can be very informative for you as a homeowner. Even if you don’t end up hiring a particular solar company that visits, each evaluation and solar quote will help you compare the solar pricing, designs, expertise, and service provided by each company before making a decision to ensure you’re hiring the right one.

Calculate Average Usage

Record your family's average monthly usage over time to help calculate how much energy your household may need. Ideally, you’ll do this for the past 2-3 years, but you should use at least 12 consecutive months to ensure you’re accounting for seasonal differences in usage. Having this data ready for the inspector will help them do their job faster and better. Even if you’re not sure what your exact energy needs are, have your past electric bills handy so the solar rep can help you determine this during the visit.

How Much Energy You Need

Make sure you know what your goals are and how your needs might evolve. Your solar panel warranty may be good for 25-30 years, and the panels themselves may last even longer. So it’s important to be planning for your future needs, not just right now. Consider whether your family is likely to grow. If you have children, how much more energy might they use as they grow into teenagers? Are you thinking of getting an EV or plug-in hybrid? Does anyone in your household work from home or is likely to start? All these variables could affect how many solar panels you need.

How Much Energy to Produce

How much of your energy use do you want to replace? Are you hoping to sell energy back to the grid? If so, it's a good idea to look into the protocols, how much you can get, and how much it is worth doing. If you plan on going off-grid, then you will also need a battery storage system to generate enough power to account for the night and bad solar days. Many people offset consumption by aiming for 80% or so.

Check Your Outdoor Space

There shouldn’t be too much physical prep for your solar evaluation, but it is a good idea to take a quick look at your home’s exterior first. Make sure that your outdoor space is clear of tripping hazards and that it’s easy to walk around the property. If you have a dog, do a quick sweep to clear pet waste in the yard. Your solar evaluator will be moving about the property to take measurements and make notes that could affect the placement of your panels. Try to observe what parts of your property and your house get more hours of sunlight throughout the day.

During the Visit

Definitely schedule the visit for a time when you or another head of household can be home. The solar representative will need you to show them around and to provide details on your household. Notify the rest of your household when the solar representative will be coming so no one is caught off-guard. Restrain your dogs as needed during the visit. If you have an extremely barky or high-energy dog you know will be in the way, consider sending them to hang out with a friend, in a separate area, or giving them something to distract them.

Location

The installer will assess the best location for solar panels. The installer might recommend trimming trees to help bring more sunlight to an otherwise suitable spot. In most cases, a south-facing roof is best, but if something is causing significant shadows, there might be other options. There are many factors to consider in solar panel placement, including orientation, angle, shade, regulatory constraints, and more. Most people have panels on their house’s roof, but in some cases, an alternative placement might work even better.

Number of Panels

In addition to location, the installer will determine how many panels to recommend. This is where your usage numbers and goals come in. They will combine that with their estimate of the site's sunlight exposure. They may also discuss different panel types with you. You might be able to spend a little more to get more efficient panels that take up less space, a good option for smaller roofs.

Ask Questions

This is also a key opportunity to ask smart questions that will help you vet each company. Their ability to answer all your questions and demonstrate their solar expertise (versus just their sales technique) will tell you a lot about what working with that company might be like. If they don’t know the answer to a question, do they truly follow up in a timely manner with a detailed response? Do they seem more interested in pushing the sale than truly understanding your needs? Your solar company should take into account your unique property, situation, household, and budget and consider all possible options for ideal solar performance. Having multiple companies evaluate your space will provide you with more options, and you’ll have a better idea of who is truly invested in giving you the best service.

After the Visit

The installer will provide you with their recommendations, a solar quote, and a general idea of the solar system design they recommend for your space. You should get at least 2-3 official quotes from different solar installers. Look at what they agree on and then consider the differences. Which company and plan align best with your goals and energy needs? Who seemed the most knowledgeable versus just trying to make a fast sale?

Comparing Your Options

We provide advice for people who want to go solar, but aren't sure who to go with or the best route to take. Contact us to learn more about solar panels, or fill out a short survey to get solar estimates from multiple companies in one easy step! AskSolar is not a solar installer; we are your solar advocates to walk you through this process and find the right company and options to suit your needs. Best of all, all our services are free to homeowners. Got questions? Ask Solar!