6 Steps Involved in a Solar Site Assessment

When you’re considering making the switch to solar, the first step is a solar site assessment. During this process, a solar expert will visit your home to evaluate your property’s unique needs and determine the best solar system.

But what exactly does a solar site assessment involve? In this blog, we’ll walk you through the five essential steps of a solar site assessment.

1. Solar Panels Spot

During this site assessment, a solar expert will evaluate the sun exposure your property receives. Using advanced tools, the expert will conduct a detailed shading analysis to determine how much direct sunlight your home gets throughout the year.

This step is crucial for understanding solar energy production and ensuring your solar panels are placed in the most productive spot for maximum solar power efficiency.

2. Solar Mounting System

After identifying the best location, the next step is selecting a mounting system for your solar panels. Depending on your home’s structure and sun exposure, you can have roof or ground-mounted solar panels.

A comprehensive solar site assessment will help you choose the most efficient and cost-effective mounting option based on your property’s needs.

3. Energy Usage

A major part of the solar site assessment involves analyzing your home’s energy consumption. The assessor will review your electrical usage, including how efficient your appliances, heating, cooling systems, and lighting are.

By understanding your energy consumption, the solar specialist can recommend a solar system that matches your energy needs, ensuring optimal solar panel efficiency.

4. Output and Cost

Once your energy needs are clear, the site assessor will estimate how much energy your solar panels will produce. The estimate is based on your energy consumption and the best location for your panels.

The solar assessor will also provide an estimate for the total cost of your PV solar panel system installation.

5. Available Solar Incentives

The assessment will provide you with a detailed list of solar panel incentives, including states and federal solar rebates that can reduce your installation cost. These incentives, such as the solar tax credit, can significantly lower the initial investment required for solar system installation.

Solar leasing may also be suggested, which provides more flexible payment plans for homeowners interested in solar energy without the upfront cost.

6. Solar Return-on-Investment

The solar site assessment also includes a financial analysis of your solar investment over time. By factoring in solar savings, system output, and available incentives, the solar assessor will give you a clear picture of how long it will take for your solar panels to pay for themselves.

This return-on-investment (ROI) calculation helps you understand the long-term financial benefits of switching to solar energy.

Conclusion

A solar site assessment is key to nesuring your installation is efficient, cost-effective, and tailored to your needs. By evaluating energy usage, panel placement, incentives and solar efficiency, you can make an informed decision about transitioning to solar energy.

If you’re ready to explore how solar panels can benefit your home, contact us at (484) 350-6829. Our team of experts is here to guide you through every step of your solar system project.