Solar Site Survey Template
Download a solar site survey template to document roof conditions, electrical service, array areas, measurements, shading, equipment locations, photos, and project notes.
Capture the Field Information Needed for Solar Design and Estimating
A solar site survey gives contractors a consistent way to document roof conditions, available array areas, electrical service, equipment locations, access, measurements, obstructions, shading observations, photos, and other field information needed before a solar project moves into final design, estimating, procurement, or installation planning.
This solar site survey template is designed for solar contractors working on residential, commercial, multifamily, and light-industrial photovoltaic projects where field conditions need to be recorded clearly and transferred from the site to the office.
What Is a Solar Site Survey?
A solar site survey is a field assessment used to document the physical and electrical conditions that can affect a proposed photovoltaic installation. It typically records roof geometry, structural observations, array-area dimensions, orientation, obstructions, access, electrical service information, proposed equipment locations, conduit-routing considerations, and photo references.
A useful site survey should make the property easy to understand without requiring the estimator, designer, or project manager to revisit the site for basic information. Measurements, equipment labels, roof sections, electrical panels, meters, disconnects, attic access, structural framing observations, and photos should be tied to clear location references.
When to Use a Solar Site Survey Template
Use the template before final system design, estimating, permitting, equipment release, or installation planning when site conditions need to be verified in the field.
- Residential rooftop solar
- Commercial rooftop solar
- Multifamily solar projects
- Metal-roof photovoltaic systems
- Low-slope roof installations
- Ground-mount projects
- Carport or canopy solar
- Solar-plus-storage projects
- Electrical service upgrade planning
- Existing-system expansion
- Removal and reinstall projects
- Change-order or redesign verification
Who Should Use This Template?
The template is intended for solar contractors and specialty electrical teams responsible for preconstruction, estimating, design coordination, and installation planning.
- Solar site surveyors
- Solar estimators
- Project managers
- Design coordinators
- Electrical foremen
- Solar installers
- Preconstruction teams
- Operations managers
- Company owners
What to Include in a Solar Site Survey
A useful solar survey should organize architectural, structural, electrical, access, and photographic information so the office can evaluate the site without relying on vague notes or unreferenced images.
| Survey Area | What to Record |
|---|---|
| Property information | Project address, customer, building type, site contact, access notes, and survey date |
| Roof information | Roof type, roof covering, slope, approximate age if known, dimensions, ridges, hips, valleys, parapets, drains, and visible condition |
| Array areas | Usable roof sections, dimensions, orientation, setbacks or access zones to be reviewed, and major obstructions |
| Obstructions and shading | HVAC units, vents, skylights, chimneys, plumbing vents, roof hatches, trees, adjacent buildings, parapets, and other shading or layout constraints |
| Structural observations | Framing type, rafter or truss direction, spacing observations, attic access, deck type where visible, and areas requiring engineering review |
| Electrical service | Utility meter, main service equipment, panel ratings and labels, available spaces, breakers, disconnects, transformer information where visible, and service condition notes |
| Equipment locations | Potential inverter, combiner, disconnect, battery, rapid-shutdown equipment, monitoring, and other equipment locations |
| Conduit routing | Possible roof-to-electrical-room paths, attic routes, exterior wall routes, penetrations, trenching, and access constraints |
| Installation access | Ladder locations, roof access, staging, material handling, crane or lift considerations, parking, and restricted areas |
| Photos | Roof planes, electrical equipment, labels, meter, service, attic framing, array areas, obstructions, access, and proposed equipment locations |
How to Complete a Solar Site Survey
- Confirm the project and access. Record the customer, address, building type, site contact, roof-access method, and any restrictions before beginning the survey.
- Document the roof layout. Identify roof sections, dimensions, slope, material, orientation, ridges, valleys, parapets, drains, skylights, vents, and other features that affect module placement.
- Measure proposed array areas. Record usable dimensions and clearly identify obstructions or areas that may require setbacks, access paths, or additional design review.
- Record shading observations. Note trees, rooftop equipment, parapets, adjacent buildings, poles, or other objects that may shade proposed module locations.
- Document visible structural conditions. Record framing direction, spacing, attic access, roof deck observations, and any conditions that should be reviewed by qualified design or engineering personnel.
- Survey the electrical service. Photograph and record the meter, main service equipment, panel labels, ratings, breaker arrangement, disconnects, and other visible information relevant to the proposed interconnection.
- Identify equipment locations. Note practical locations for inverters, disconnects, combiners, batteries, rapid-shutdown components, monitoring equipment, or other project equipment.
- Document routing options. Record possible conduit paths, roof penetrations, attic routes, exterior runs, trench routes, and obstacles between the array and electrical equipment.
- Capture installation-access information. Record ladder access, staging space, material-handling restrictions, parking, lifts, cranes, gates, tenant areas, and other logistical constraints.
- Take organized photos. Use photo IDs or captions so each image can be matched to the roof section, electrical component, obstruction, or location documented in the survey.
Example Solar Site Survey Entry
South Roof – Area A: Standing-seam metal roof measuring approximately 74 feet by 38 feet with two plumbing vents and one roof hatch inside the proposed array area. Ridge runs east-west. Utility meter and main service equipment are located on the west exterior wall approximately 95 feet from the proposed inverter location. Exterior conduit routing along the west wall appears accessible, while the interior ceiling space above the electrical room was not accessible during the survey. Photos SR-A-01 through SR-A-08 document the roof, obstructions, meter, main service equipment, and proposed equipment wall.
Solar Site Survey Best Practices
- Use consistent roof-area and photo IDs throughout the survey.
- Record dimensions with the measurement method used in the field.
- Photograph electrical equipment labels clearly enough to read them later.
- Keep observed conditions separate from design conclusions.
- Record roof covering and visible condition without making unsupported warranty or structural conclusions.
- Document attic or framing access when available.
- Record meter, main service equipment, panel, disconnect, and transformer information separately.
- Identify proposed equipment locations before leaving the site when practical.
- Document multiple conduit routes when more than one option is feasible.
- Record trees and surrounding structures that may affect shading.
- Use overview photos and close-up photos together.
- Flag missing or inaccessible information clearly instead of guessing.
Common Solar Site Survey Mistakes
Taking Photos Without Location References
A large photo set becomes difficult to use when images are not tied to roof areas, electrical equipment, proposed equipment locations, or other survey references.
Recording Only Roof Dimensions
Module layout depends on more than overall roof size. Record vents, skylights, parapets, drains, HVAC equipment, roof hatches, ridges, valleys, and other layout constraints.
Leaving Electrical Labels Unreadable
A photo of a panel or service is not enough if the rating and identification labels cannot be read. Capture both the overall equipment location and close-up label photos.
Guessing When an Area Is Inaccessible
If an attic, roof section, electrical room, or equipment label cannot be accessed, mark it as not observed and identify the follow-up required instead of filling the gap with an assumption.
Confusing Observations With Engineering Conclusions
A site survey can record framing, roof condition, panel information, and visible constraints, but structural adequacy, electrical capacity, code compliance, and final equipment selection require project-specific analysis.
Ignoring Installation Logistics
Roof access, staging, tenant restrictions, parking, lift locations, crane access, locked electrical rooms, and material-handling routes can affect installation planning even when the proposed array layout is straightforward.
Keeping Solar Site Information Connected With the Job
A spreadsheet survey is a practical way to organize field measurements, electrical information, photos, access notes, and follow-up items. As project volume grows, separate survey forms, photo folders, estimates, schedules, and job documents can become harder to coordinate.
SimplySub is construction management software built for subcontractors and specialty contractors. Relevant workflows include jobs, photos, documents, tasks, estimates, and crew coordination, helping solar contractors keep field information organized around active projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be included in a solar site survey?
A practical solar site survey should include property information, roof areas, dimensions, roof type, obstructions, shading observations, visible structural information, electrical service details, proposed equipment locations, conduit routes, access notes, photos, and follow-up items.
What electrical information should be photographed?
Useful photos may include the utility meter, main service equipment, panel interiors where access is permitted and appropriate, labels, breaker arrangement, disconnects, transformer information where visible, and proposed inverter or interconnection locations.
Should roof measurements be included?
Yes. Record roof-section dimensions, orientation, slope where measured, obstructions, and proposed array areas. Keep field measurements clearly distinguished from later design dimensions.
Should shading be documented?
Yes. Record trees, parapets, HVAC equipment, adjacent buildings, poles, or other objects that may affect proposed module locations. Detailed production modeling can be completed separately using the contractor's approved design process.
What if part of the site cannot be accessed?
Mark the area as not observed, record why it was inaccessible, and identify the follow-up required. Do not substitute assumptions for field verification.
Does a solar site survey replace engineering or final design?
No. The survey documents field conditions. Structural analysis, electrical calculations, code review, utility requirements, permitting, equipment selection, and final design remain separate project tasks.
Create a Clear Field Record Before Solar Design Begins
A consistent solar site survey helps contractors document roof conditions, array areas, electrical service, access, routing options, equipment locations, shading observations, and photos before final design and installation planning. Complete field information reduces guesswork and gives estimating, design, and operations teams a better starting point for the project.