What is a Solar Site Assessment?
What you can expect during a Solar Site Assessment with Northwind Solar
A solar site assessment is the first step in confirming how well solar will work for your home. A Northwind Solar Design Consultant meets with you one-on-one to understand your goals, answer questions, and evaluate your property. We'll review your recent energy use, check your electrical panel and meter, and measure sunlight/shading to identify the best locations for equipment and panels. After the visit, we finalize a custom design and send a proposal with costs, incentives, and an estimated payback period.
What the Assessment Covers:
- Energy & Goals: Together, we'll review your energy usage (from a recent bill) and discuss your motivations for going solar, what your expectations are, current electrical usage, energy offset goals, and any plans for additional electrical loads, like EV + Charger addition, induction stove, or other electrification to your property.
- Sunlight & Shading: We'll walk the property and measure your “solar window,” looking at shading, and optimal south-facing locations for array placement.
- Roof/Ground Options: We'll confirm roof condition/structure; compare roof vs. ground (or pole) mounts.
- Electrical Readiness: We'll inspect the main panel (e.g., confirm 200A) and meter; identify clean, code-compliant spots for disconnects/inverters/batteries.
- Efficiency Tips: Recommend simple upgrades that improve savings and system performance.
- Questions: We'll answer any questions you may have, cover available incentives, net metering guidance, and establish next steps.
What you'll receive afterward:
After the Solar Site Assessment, we'll go to work designing your PV system based on the information and site data we collected during the assessment. In that proposal, you'll find information on:
- Recommended system size and placement
- Estimated production and preliminary cost
- Eligible incentives (federal, state, utility)
- Financial analysis (savings, payback, ROI)
- Clear next steps to move forward (no pressure)
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