Solar Scope of Work Template
Download a solar scope of work template to define PV equipment, installation responsibilities, electrical work, exclusions, assumptions, and project deliverables.
Define Solar Project Responsibilities Before Work Begins
A clear scope of work helps solar contractors define exactly what they are responsible for furnishing, installing, coordinating, testing, documenting, and completing on a project. It can reduce ambiguity between the contractor, customer, general contractor, design team, utility, and other trades by putting project responsibilities in writing before field work begins.
This solar scope of work template gives photovoltaic contractors and specialty electrical contractors a structured starting point for documenting equipment, installation activities, electrical work, site responsibilities, exclusions, assumptions, schedule considerations, and closeout requirements.
What Is a Solar Scope of Work?
A solar scope of work is a project document that describes the work a contractor will perform and the boundaries of that responsibility. It may be used as part of a proposal, subcontract, work order, project kickoff package, or internal handoff from estimating to operations.
For solar work, the scope may address modules, inverters, racking, electrical balance-of-system materials, grounding, labeling, trenching, equipment installation, testing support, commissioning, permits, coordination, documentation, and other project-specific responsibilities.
When to Use a Solar Scope of Work Template
Use a written scope whenever multiple parties need a shared understanding of what the solar contractor is expected to perform.
- Before submitting or finalizing a solar proposal
- During subcontract negotiation
- At project handoff from estimating to operations
- Before mobilization to a rooftop or ground-mount project
- When defining work between electrical, roofing, structural, and solar contractors
- When documenting owner-furnished or contractor-furnished equipment
- When clarifying trenching, restoration, structural reinforcement, or service-upgrade responsibilities
- When preparing change-order scope for added or revised work
Who Should Use This Template?
The template is intended for solar contractors and specialty electrical contractors that need a consistent way to define project responsibilities.
- Solar company owners
- Estimators
- Project managers
- Operations managers
- Electrical contractors performing photovoltaic work
- Preconstruction teams
- General contractors reviewing subcontract scope
- Foremen receiving the final project handoff
What to Include in a Solar Scope of Work
The scope should describe both the work that is included and the limits of the contractor's responsibility. Project-specific detail is especially important where solar work interfaces with roofing, structural systems, utility requirements, electrical service equipment, civil work, or other trades.
| Scope Section | Typical Solar Information |
|---|---|
| Project identification | Project name, site address, customer, general contractor, project number, drawing references, and scope revision |
| System summary | Approximate DC system size, module quantity and wattage, inverter configuration, mounting type, and project type |
| Equipment furnished | Modules, inverters, microinverters, optimizers, racking, disconnects, combiner equipment, monitoring components, and related hardware |
| Installation work | Layout, mounting, module installation, equipment setting, wiring, conduit, terminations, grounding, labeling, and related field labor |
| Electrical responsibilities | DC wiring, AC wiring, disconnects, breakers, grounding, interconnection point, shutdown coordination, and service-related work when included |
| Site and access requirements | Roof access, staging, laydown, lifts, cranes, scaffolding, trenching access, work hours, and occupied-site restrictions |
| Permits and coordination | Permitting responsibility, engineering responsibility, utility coordination, inspections, and coordination with other trades |
| Testing and closeout | Startup support, testing responsibilities, punch-list completion, as-built information, manuals, warranties, and other closeout deliverables |
| Exclusions | Work specifically not included, such as roofing repair, structural reinforcement, trench restoration, utility fees, or service upgrades when excluded |
| Assumptions | Existing conditions, structural adequacy, available service capacity, site access, working hours, and other conditions used to define the scope |
How to Build a Solar Scope of Work
- Identify the governing project documents. List the drawings, specifications, addenda, proposal revision, and other documents used to define the work.
- Summarize the proposed solar system. Record the approximate system size, module quantity, inverter approach, mounting method, and major equipment included in the project.
- Define what the contractor will furnish. Identify modules, racking, inverters, electrical materials, monitoring equipment, specialty equipment, and other contractor-furnished items.
- Define what the contractor will install. Describe layout, mounting, wiring, conduit, equipment installation, terminations, grounding, labeling, testing support, and closeout work included in the scope.
- Assign interface responsibilities. Clarify who is responsible for roofing work, structural modifications, trenching, service upgrades, utility coordination, cranes, patching, restoration, and other work shared between trades.
- Document assumptions and exclusions. State conditions used to develop the scope and identify work that is specifically outside the contractor's responsibility.
- Define coordination requirements. Note shutdowns, inspections, utility interfaces, access needs, equipment delivery requirements, and required coordination with other contractors.
- Review the scope before release. Compare the final document with the estimate, proposal, contract, drawings, and project handoff information so the field team receives a consistent scope.
Example Solar Scope Language
Included work: Furnish and install rooftop photovoltaic modules, associated racking, inverter equipment, DC conductors, AC conductors from inverter output to the identified point of interconnection, equipment grounding, required system labeling, and contractor-installed monitoring hardware shown in the project documents. Coordinate rooftop installation with the roofing contractor and complete contractor punch-list items associated with the solar scope.
Excluded unless specifically added: Structural reinforcement, roof replacement or repair, utility-owned equipment, service upgrades, hazardous-material work, permanent roof access systems, landscaping restoration, and battery storage.
Solar Scope of Work Best Practices
- Use project-specific language instead of copying a generic scope without review.
- Reference the current drawing and specification revisions.
- Define who furnishes major equipment and who installs it.
- Clarify the point where the solar contractor's electrical responsibility begins and ends.
- Identify whether trenching, backfill, restoration, roofing, structural work, and service upgrades are included.
- Clarify responsibilities for lifts, cranes, scaffolding, staging, and material handling.
- State whether permits, engineering, utility coordination, and inspection fees are included in the contractor's scope.
- Document assumptions about existing electrical service and structural conditions when those assumptions affect the work.
- Keep exclusions specific enough to prevent conflicting interpretations.
- Update the scope whenever approved changes materially alter the project.
Common Solar Scope of Work Mistakes
Using Broad Language Such as “Complete Solar Installation”
Broad descriptions can create disagreements because they do not define equipment, limits, responsibilities, or interfaces with other trades. Describe the actual work being furnished and installed.
Failing to Define Electrical Limits
Identify responsibility for DC wiring, AC wiring, disconnects, breakers, service equipment, transformers, utility metering, and the point of interconnection where applicable. Avoid leaving the electrical boundary implied.
Leaving Roofing and Structural Work Unclear
Rooftop solar often depends on roofing and structural conditions. State whether roof repairs, flashing responsibilities, structural reinforcement, engineering, or other associated work is included or excluded.
Ignoring Site Logistics
Material staging, building access, crane use, lift access, occupied spaces, restricted work hours, and laydown limitations can materially affect execution. Include relevant responsibilities and assumptions in the scope.
Assuming Utility Responsibilities Are Understood
Utility coordination can involve multiple parties. Clearly state which coordination activities, fees, equipment, or utility-related work are included in the contractor's responsibility and which are not.
Failing to Update the Scope After Changes
When project design, equipment, schedule, or responsibilities change, the scope should be revised so the current project record reflects the work actually expected from the contractor.
Keeping Scope Information Connected With the Job
A well-structured scope document can improve the handoff from estimating to project execution. As the number of jobs grows, however, scope documents, change orders, drawings, photos, estimates, and job information can become difficult to manage when they are spread across separate files and communication channels.
SimplySub is construction management software built for subcontractors and specialty contractors. It helps teams organize jobs, estimates, change orders, documents, photos, tasks, and other project information in one system, helping field and office teams work from more consistent job records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a solar scope of work and a proposal?
A proposal presents the contractor's commercial offer, including price and terms. A scope of work focuses on what is being furnished, installed, coordinated, excluded, and delivered. The scope may be included inside the proposal or used as a separate project document.
Should a solar scope of work list specific equipment?
It should identify major equipment when the equipment helps define the contractor's responsibility or basis of work. This may include modules, inverters, racking, disconnects, monitoring equipment, or specialty components without reproducing the full internal material takeoff.
Should exclusions be included in the scope of work?
Yes. Clearly identifying excluded work can be as important as describing included work. Exclusions should be reviewed for the specific project rather than copied from a generic list without consideration of the actual scope.
How should service upgrades be handled?
State whether electrical service modifications or upgrades are included, excluded, carried as an allowance, or priced separately. The point is to make the contractor's responsibility clear before field work begins.
Who should review the solar scope before construction?
At minimum, the people responsible for estimating, project management, and field execution should understand the final scope. Depending on the project, review may also involve the customer, general contractor, electrical contractor, design team, or other parties with overlapping responsibilities.
Should change-order work receive a revised scope?
When a change materially modifies project responsibilities, equipment, quantities, schedule, or exclusions, document the revised scope as part of the change-order process so the added or removed work is clearly defined.
Give the Field and Office a Clear Definition of the Work
A detailed solar scope of work helps contractors connect the estimate and contract to the work that must actually be performed in the field. Clear responsibilities for equipment, installation, electrical work, coordination, access, exclusions, assumptions, testing, and closeout can reduce ambiguity and support a more organized project handoff.