The initial assessment of a rooftop solar power system is not limited to asking how many modules can fit on the roof. The roof’s characteristics and how and when the business uses electricity must be considered together. Preparing an organised data file at the outset makes the questions and missing information identified during the site survey more visible.
1. Consumption over time
Where possible, gather electricity bills for the previous twelve months. Monthly totals show seasonal variation, while hourly or more frequent interval data helps explain the differences between daytime, nighttime, and shift-based consumption. Weekend shutdowns, seasonal production, and planned new machinery should also be noted. Two businesses with the same annual consumption may have very different daily demand profiles.
2. Roof measurements and observations
Location, roof plans, approximate dimensions, orientation, and pitch provide inputs for the initial layout study. Chimneys, skylights, ventilation equipment, and nearby buildings may affect usable area or solar exposure. Observing the roof at only one time of day does not explain seasonal shading. Satellite imagery is useful as a starting point, but does not replace an on-site survey.
The roof’s age, covering type, waterproofing condition, and available structural documents should also be prepared. The suitability of the PV modules and mounting system for the structure is determined through a technical assessment by the relevant specialists. If roof refurbishment is planned in the near future, sharing this at the outset helps establish the correct implementation sequence.
3. Electrical infrastructure and operating conditions
The existing single-line diagram, switchboard and transformer information where applicable, proposed equipment locations, and cable-route records all support the site survey. The business’s operating hours, access restrictions, and maintenance periods also provide inputs for project planning. Share these documents only with people working on the project and through an appropriate, secure channel.
What should you expect from the initial assessment?
The initial study should identify a potential layout approach, missing data, and the areas requiring detailed review. An installed-capacity estimate, an annual-generation estimate, and a final implementation design are different deliverables. Solar irradiance, loss, and equipment assumptions used in forecasts should be stated clearly, and estimates should not be presented as measured results.
You can add electricity bills, location details, existing design drawings, and safely taken overview photographs to your initial project file. Missing documents do not prevent an initial consultation; the data to be collected later can be identified together.
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