How to Prepare Your Property for a Solar Site Visit

Deciding to go solar is one of the most significant upgrades a Filipino property owner can make. It’s a commitment to lower electricity bills, greater energy independence, and a more sustainable future. But before the solar panels are mounted and the system hums to life, there is a critical first step that sets the stage for success: the solar site visit.

This technical assessment is far more than a casual look-around. It is a detailed investigation by solar engineers to determine the unique feasibility, optimal design, and specific requirements for a solar PV system on your property. A well-executed site visit ensures the proposal you receive is accurate, the installation process is smooth, and the final system performs as promised for decades.

For homeowners and business managers, preparing for this visit is not a passive role. By gathering the right information and preparing your property, you empower the engineers to do their best work and ensure the resulting solar solution is perfectly tailored to your needs. This guide walks you through the essential steps to prepare your property for a solar site visit, transforming it from a simple appointment into a foundational strategy session for your clean energy future.

Phase 1: Pre-Visit Intelligence Gathering

Long before the solar company’s vehicle pulls up, your preparation should begin. The goal is to arm the engineers with the data they need to understand your property's energy profile and your personal objectives.

Your Meralco Bill: The Energy Blueprint

The single most important document you can provide is a collection of your recent electricity bills. Solar installers recommend having at least 12 months' worth of statements from your distribution utility, whether it's Meralco or your local electric cooperative.

Why is this so crucial? Your bills reveal a detailed story of your consumption patterns. Engineers will analyze them to determine:

• Average Monthly Consumption: This is the baseline for properly sizing your solar energy system. An undersized system won't deliver the expected savings, while an oversized one can be an unnecessary upfront expense.
• Peak Demand: They can identify the times of day and year when your energy usage spikes. This is vital for designing a system, especially a hybrid or off-grid setup, that can handle your peak loads without fail.
• Consumption Profile: Are you a business that uses most of its power during daytime hours, or a residence where consumption peaks in the evening? This a-ffects the type of system recommended (e.g., a standard grid-tied system is perfect for high daytime use, while a hybrid system with batteries might be better for evening consumption).

Have these bills, either physical copies or digital files, ready for review. This data-driven approach removes guesswork and is the first step toward an accurately engineered system.

Defining Your Solar Goals

Next, consider your primary motivation for going solar. Your "why" will significantly influence the technical recommendations. Are you aiming to:

• Maximize Savings? If your goal is purely financial, a grid-tied system is often the most cost-effective solution, focusing on offsetting your expensive daytime electricity consumption.
• Ensure Energy Security? For those living in areas with frequent brownouts or who run critical operations, a hybrid system with battery backup is essential. This provides uninterrupted power when the grid goes down.
• Go Off-Grid? In remote locations without reliable grid access, a full off-grid system is the objective, requiring a more comprehensive design to cover 100% of your energy needs.
• Reduce Your Carbon Footprint? While all solar systems achieve this, communicating it as a priority helps the installer frame the benefits and may open discussions about specific eco-friendly components.

Being clear about your goals allows the engineer to move beyond a generic assessment and start designing a system that aligns with your specific vision of energy independence.

Phase 2: Preparing the Physical Site

With your documents in order, the next step is to prepare the physical areas of your property that the engineers will need to inspect. This involves ensuring safe and clear access to key locations.

The Roof: Your Future Power Plant

The roof is the most common and ideal location for solar panels. The engineers will need to conduct a thorough evaluation, and you can facilitate this by ensuring the area is accessible.

• Roof Access: Make sure there is a safe and clear path to access your roof. If you have a built-in access hatch, ensure it is unlocked and unobstructed. If external ladders are required, clear the perimeter of the house where they might be placed.
• Roof Condition: Be prepared to discuss the age and condition of your roof. Reputable installers will not mount a 25-year solar system on a roof that needs replacement in the next five years. If you have any known leaks or structural issues, disclose them. A transparent discussion about assessing the condition of your roof is crucial for long-term safety and performance.
• Roof Obstructions: The engineers will map out the usable roof space, noting vents, skylights, antennas, and other existing structures. You don't need to remove these beforehand, but being aware of them helps in the initial discussion.

Shade: The Enemy of Solar Production

Solar panels need direct, unobstructed sunlight to perform optimally. Even partial shading on a small section of a panel can significantly reduce the output of the entire system. Before the visit, take a walk around your property at different times of the day (morning, noon, and afternoon) to identify potential shading sources.

• Trees: Overhanging branches are a common issue. Be open to the possibility of tree trimming. The engineers will perform a thorough shading analysis with specialized tools, but your initial observations are valuable.
• Neighboring Structures: A tall adjacent building, a firewall, or even future construction plans in your neighborhood can cast shadows on your roof. Point these out to the visiting team.
• Debris: A roof covered in a thick layer of leaves or dirt should be cleaned. While this is part of regular maintenance, a clean surface allows for a more accurate assessment and prevents potential hazards. A buildup of dry leaves under panels can pose a fire risk.

The Electrical Room and Main Panel

The heart of your electrical system is another key inspection point. The engineers need to assess your main circuit breaker, wiring, and grounding to ensure it can safely integrate with a new solar power system.

• Clear the Area: Your main electrical panel and the area around your electric meter should be free of clutter. Remove any boxes, shelves, or furniture that might block access.
• Know Your System: If you have documentation for your electrical system, such as diagrams or a list of circuits, have it available. This can save the engineer significant time.
• Identify Potential Inverter Locations: The inverter, which converts DC power from the panels to AC power for your home, needs a suitable location. It should be in a well-ventilated spot, protected from direct sun and rain, and reasonably close to the main panel. Common spots include a garage, utility room, or a sheltered exterior wall. Think about your preferences beforehand.

Phase 3: During the Site Visit - An Active Collaboration

On the day of the site visit, your role shifts to that of an active collaborator. The engineers are there to gather technical data, but your input is essential for a holistic solution.

What the Engineers Will Do

A professional site survey is a comprehensive process. You can expect the team to:

• Interview You: They will start by discussing your energy bills and solar goals, confirming the information you prepared.
• Roof Assessment: They will go on the roof to measure its dimensions, pitch (angle), and azimuth (orientation). They will assess its structural integrity and material type (e.g., long-span metal, tile, concrete).
• Shade Analysis: They will use specialized instruments to map the path of the sun across your property for the entire year, identifying any potential shading issues.
• Electrical Evaluation: They will inspect your main service panel to check its capacity and condition. This is to ensure it can accommodate the new circuit from the solar system, which is the work of a licensed electrician.
• System Layout: They will identify the optimal placement for panels, the inverter, and the route for the electrical conduit (cable run) from the roof to the inverter and from the inverter to the main panel.

Be Present and Ask Questions

This visit is your best opportunity to get direct answers from technical experts. Don’t hesitate to walk with them (safely, of course) and ask questions. This is a chance to learn and clarify your understanding of the project.

A list of questions you should ask your solar installer can be invaluable. Consider asking:

• “Based on what you see, are there any potential challenges with my roof or electrical system?”
• “Where do you recommend placing the inverter and why?”
• “Can you explain the proposed route for the wiring? How will it impact the aesthetics of my home?”
• “What are the next steps after this visit, and what is the estimated timeline for receiving a proposal?”
• “Do you handle the entire net-metering application process with our utility company?”

Your engagement shows you are a serious partner in the project and helps ensure no detail is overlooked.

Phase 4: After the Visit - Deciphering the Proposal

Within a few days of the site visit, the solar company will send you a formal proposal. This document is the direct result of the data gathered from your bills and the on-site assessment. It should include:

• System Size and Expected Production: The recommended system capacity in kilowatts-peak (kWp) and an estimate of its annual energy production in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
• PV Layout: A diagram showing the proposed placement of solar panels on your roof.
• Equipment Specifications: Details on the brands and models of solar panels and inverters being offered.
• Financial Breakdown: A detailed quotation including the cost of equipment, installation, and any permit fees. It should also project your potential electricity savings and return on investment.
• Warranties and Timelines: Clear information on the warranties for the panels, inverter, and workmanship, along with a projected timeline from contract signing to system activation.

Thanks to your thorough preparation, this proposal will be a highly customized, accurate, and reliable blueprint for your solar power system. You've laid the groundwork for a successful installation, ensuring that your investment is sound and your transition to clean, renewable energy is as seamless as possible. The site visit is more than a step in a process; it is the cornerstone of a wise energy investment.