A site survey connects sales assumptions to the physical property. It should produce measurements, photographs, electrical observations, a shade and layout basis, access notes, and a list of open decisions. A visit that only takes a roof photo and asks for a bill is not enough for final design.
A proper survey checks twelve months of bills, consumer details, usable roof dimensions, shade, roof condition, structure method, wind exposure, inverter location, cable route, distribution board, earthing, meter, internet, access, safety, and approval responsibilities.
Before arriving
- Collect recent and preferably twelve months of electricity bills.
- Confirm property address, owner or authorized contact, and roof-access timing.
- Ask about planned loads, outage frequency, backup needs, and future construction.
- Identify the serving DISCOM, connection category, phase, and sanctioned load.
- Request existing structural or electrical drawings for larger projects where available.
Roof measurements and obstacles
Measure each usable roof plane. Record parapets, tanks, mumties, stairs, skylights, vents, antennas, equipment, expansion joints, drainage paths, fire access, and areas reserved for other use. Photograph dimensions and orientation so the layout can be checked later.
Shade study
Identify current and future shade from trees, poles, adjacent buildings, towers, tanks, and parapets. Consider the sun's seasonal path rather than judging only at the visit time. If shade cannot be avoided, separate affected strings or assess an appropriate module-level strategy instead of hiding the issue in a generation promise.
Roof and structure
| Survey item | Record |
|---|---|
| Roof type | RCC terrace, metal sheet, tile, or other construction. |
| Condition | Cracks, corrosion, leakage, weak sheets, loose fasteners, or prior repairs. |
| Fixing method | Anchored, ballasted, clamped, or engineered alternative. |
| Wind exposure | Building height, open edges, local terrain, and structure-design input. |
| Waterproofing | Existing membrane, penetration method, drainage, and responsibility. |
| Maintenance access | Walkways, module spacing, edge protection, and cleaning route. |
Where structural capacity is uncertain, the survey should flag the need for a qualified structural review. Solar installers should not make unsupported claims about an old or damaged roof.
Inverter and electrical room
- Choose a shaded, ventilated, dry, accessible location with required clearances.
- Measure the DC route from arrays and AC route to the interconnection point.
- Inspect the main distribution board, spare space, busbar and breaker context, cable entry, and labelling.
- Record meter type and location, service cable, phase, and transformer information where relevant.
- Identify earthing locations and whether new pits or conductors are required.
- Check communication signal or internet availability for monitoring.
Safety and logistics
Record how modules and structure will reach the roof, whether a crane or hoist is needed, working-hour restrictions, fragile roof zones, nearby overhead lines, public access, fire routes, material storage, weather exposure, and permit requirements. These affect both price and installation method.
Customer decisions to document
- Primary objective: bill reduction, backup, sustainability, or operational continuity.
- Preferred system type and critical backup loads.
- Acceptable structure height and use of roof below the array.
- Equipment preferences and the approval method for substitutions.
- Who handles civil repairs, water, power, internet, access, and shutdown coordination.
- Expected schedule, payment milestones, and approval dependencies.
What the survey should produce
- A survey report with dated photographs and measurements.
- A preliminary layout showing modules, access, shade constraints, and orientation.
- A single-line electrical concept or clear interconnection description.
- A capacity and generation basis with stated assumptions.
- A final bill of material and responsibility matrix.
- Open risks, exclusions, and approvals required before work.
Book a roof-specific assessment
Your Energy can begin with your bill and property details, then use a site survey to turn the estimate into a project scope.
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