What happens on a solar and battery site survey

What do surveyors look for on a solar and battery site visit and inspection.

A site survey for a solar PV installation on a domestic property is an essential step in the process. It allows the surveyor to assess the suitability of your property for solar, consider any potential challenges, and design or confirm the design of an effective solar and battery system that meets your energy needs. Here's an overview of the analysis of what a solar surveyor will typically be looking at during this process and advice that will help your survey run smoothly.

1. Roof Inspection:

This is one of the primary parts of the survey. The surveyor will inspect:

During a site visit your roof will be assessed to determine its viability for solar.

Roof Condition: They'll assess the overall condition of your roof to ensure it's structurally strong enough to hold the weight of the solar panels. If your roof is old or in need of repair, it's often better to replace it before installing solar panels. This part of the survey tends to be visual, if there are any signs that the roof is old then it will be flagged for further investigation. The surveyor will inspect your roof space to check the rafters and the space between them, as well as checking for any signs of decay.

Roof Material: The type of roofing material can affect the installation process. For instance, it's typically easier to install solar panels on a concrete tile roof compared to a slate roof.

Roof Size and Shape: The surveyor will measure the roof's size and evaluate its shape to see how many solar panels it can accommodate and how they could be arranged. Typically they will measure the length, width, depth and height and determine the impact of any obstacles such as skylights. Additionally they will take a note of the angle. They may also measure in the roof space to confirm certain measurements of the roof, as well as a possible location for the inverter and battery.

Roof Orientation and Tilt: Solar panels are most effective when they're facing south (in the northern hemisphere) and at an optimal angle for sunlight exposure. The surveyor will assess the roof's orientation and tilt to determine potential solar output. 

2. Shading Analysis:

Shading significantly impacts a solar panel's performance. The surveyor will look for any sources of shade, such as trees, neighbouring buildings, or chimneys, that could obstruct sunlight from reaching the panels at different times of the day and year. Typically they will check for potential shading, by looking for anything that is higher than the roof height within 20 metres. This will have a potential impact on the output of the system. 

3. Electrical System Evaluation:

The surveyor will need access to your home's main electrical panel to evaluate its capacity and condition. They'll also determine if it's compatible with the proposed solar system or if any upgrades will be needed. They will check to make sure there is space on the consumer unit for the MCB to be fitted. If there isn’t you may require an upgrade or, what is called a garage board, which is essentially an extension of the existing consumer unit. 

4. Assessment for Solar Battery Storage:

A domestic battery, that can be increased or decreased as required.

If you're considering adding battery storage to your solar system, the surveyor will need to find a suitable place to install it. This is usually within close proximity to the inverter, however, it is worth discussing with the surveyor where you would prefer this to go and if you will need access to it. We would recommend having it in a place that is easily accessible but not near everyday household traffic, this is why lots of people have it in their loft space. The ideal place for a battery is the garage and this is where we would recommend, but there are considerations that need to be made in regards to outside temperatures.

Very low temperatures can impact the performance of a battery if it drops below 3 degrees celsius. Sometimes the battery is located separately from the inverter, which is likely to be installed in the roof space as close to the panels as possible. One of the reasons for this is because the longer the cable run from the panels to the inverter, the more loss in the energy, but this is minimal for domestic properties anyway.

7. Checking Planning requirements and Regulations for solar:

The installation company will know what regulations you need to be aware of and if planning permission is required. A general rule of thumb is that installations fall under permitted development, unless the property is in a conservation area or on a listed building. If the property is in a conservation area, but the panels aren't visible from a public highway, this tends to be acceptable but please check with your installer who will be able to advise and assist with any planning permission requirements. 

In terms of access, the surveyor will generally need access to the roof, the consumer unit, and any other areas where equipment might be installed, such as a garage or utility area. 

Remember that a comprehensive site survey is crucial for a successful solar installation. It allows potential issues to be identified and addressed before installation begins, ensuring the system is designed effectively to maximise solar energy production for your home. It is not always possible to identify all potential issues, sometimes obstacles to the installation can be discovered once installation has commenced on site.

8. How to prepare for your site visit:

Preparing for a solar survey is all about making the surveyor's job as efficient and straightforward as possible. 

First, ensure that all areas the surveyor may need access to, such as your roof, loft, distribution board, and potential sites for the inverter or battery storage, are clear of obstacles and easily accessible. If you have any building plans for your property, have these handy as they can be very useful to the surveyor. Gather recent utility bills or be prepared to provide access to your online account, as the surveyor may ask to see your electricity bill if they have questions about energy usage.

Finally, take some time before the survey to note any questions or concerns you might have, whether it's about potential shading issues, the impact on your property's aesthetics, or financial aspects. Your solar survey is an excellent opportunity to get expert answers and advice tailored specifically to your property and situation.