Solar PV Survey Checklist for Your Property

A solar proposal should be based on more than a satellite image and a recent electricity bill. A proper solar PV survey checklist examines the building, the existing electrical installation and how the property uses energy. This is what allows an installer to recommend a system that is safe, practical and suited to your aims – whether that is reducing daytime grid purchases, adding battery storage or preparing for an electric vehicle.

For homeowners and businesses across Staffordshire and the Midlands, the survey is where good solar projects are separated from systems designed around assumptions. It identifies potential constraints early, keeps costs clear and gives the installer the information required to design, install, test and commission the system correctly.

Why the solar PV survey matters

Solar panels may be visible on the roof, but the installation affects several parts of a property. Panels need a suitable roof and fixing method; cables need a safe route into the building; the inverter and any battery need an appropriate location; and the consumer unit and supply need to accommodate the new generation equipment.

No two properties have the same combination of roof orientation, shading, electricity demand and electrical condition. A south-facing roof with no nearby obstructions may produce strongly through the middle of the day, while an east-west arrangement can spread generation more evenly across the morning and afternoon. Neither is automatically right or wrong. The best layout depends on the roof and when you use electricity.

A survey also gives you the chance to discuss your priorities in plain English. For some households, the priority is lower bills. For a landlord or property manager, it may be durable equipment, safe access and minimal disruption. A business may need the work planned around operating hours, future load growth or EV charging. These decisions should shape the design from the start.

Solar PV survey checklist: the main areas

1. Roof condition, size and orientation

The survey begins with the roof. The installer will assess its age, material, pitch, orientation and usable area. Tiles, slates, metal roofing and flat roofs each need an appropriate mounting approach. Chimneys, rooflights, dormers, vents and valleys reduce the available space and can influence panel layout.

Condition matters as much as size. It is usually sensible to complete significant roof repairs before panels are installed. Removing and refitting an array later to repair failing coverings adds avoidable cost and disruption. If there are signs of damaged tiles, water ingress or structural concerns, these should be considered before installation is booked.

The survey should also consider wind exposure and the proposed fixing locations. Panels and rails must be fixed in line with the roof construction and manufacturer requirements, not simply arranged to fit the maximum number of modules.

2. Shading throughout the year

A roof can look clear at midday and still suffer meaningful shading at other times. Nearby trees, chimneys, neighbouring buildings, aerials and roof structures can affect output. Seasonal changes matter too: a deciduous tree may cast little shade in winter but significantly reduce generation once it is in leaf.

The installer should assess likely shade patterns and decide whether a different layout, suitable panel electronics or a smaller but better-performing array is appropriate. More panels are not always the better answer if regular shading will limit their contribution. Honest production estimates should reflect the site rather than rely on ideal conditions.

3. Structural suitability and access

The roof must be capable of supporting the proposed system and the mounting equipment. Most suitable domestic roofs can accommodate a correctly designed array, but the survey should identify concerns such as visible sagging, poor condition, unusual construction or a roof that has previously been altered.

Safe access is planned at this stage as well. The installer will consider scaffold requirements, driveway access, gates, gardens, shared access routes and any obstacles that may affect materials handling. For commercial premises, this may include delivery arrangements, working-at-height controls and how the installation can be completed without creating unnecessary disruption for staff, customers or tenants.

4. Consumer unit and existing electrical installation

Solar PV connects to your electrical installation, so the condition and capacity of that installation are central to the survey. The installer should inspect the consumer unit, identify available ways or the need for additional protective equipment, and check earthing and bonding arrangements.

Older consumer units, damaged accessories, unsuitable circuits or signs of previous poor workmanship may need remedial work before solar can be connected safely. This is not an attempt to add work unnecessarily. Solar generation equipment must be installed in accordance with current electrical requirements, and a known defect should not be overlooked because the focus is on renewable energy.

Cable routes also need careful planning. A neat, protected route from the roof to the inverter is preferable to a late decision that leaves visible trunking in an unsuitable location or requires unnecessary disruption inside the property. At Ashware Electrical, this part of the survey is treated as an electrical design task, not an afterthought.

5. Inverter, battery and isolator locations

The inverter converts the panels’ DC electricity into AC electricity for use in the building. If battery storage is included, the battery needs a secure location with suitable clearances, ventilation where required and protection from avoidable damage or temperature extremes.

A garage, utility room or plant area may be suitable, but it depends on the equipment specification and available space. The survey should consider cable lengths, fire safety, access for maintenance, noise from cooling fans and whether the proposed position will remain practical after the installation.

It is also worth discussing whether a battery is right for you now. Batteries can increase the amount of solar electricity used on site, particularly in the evening, but they add cost and their value depends on your consumption pattern and tariff. A system can sometimes be designed to allow a battery to be added later, provided this is considered from the outset.

6. Electricity use, tariffs and future demand

A good survey asks how you use electricity, not just how much you use over a year. Half-hourly data, where available, is particularly useful for businesses. For households, recent bills and a conversation about daily routines can provide a sound starting point.

The installer will want to understand large or regular loads such as electric heating, immersion heaters, heat pumps, workshop equipment, air conditioning and EV charging. Planned changes matter too. A family considering a heat pump or electric car in the next few years may benefit from a design that accommodates future demand, rather than one sized only for current habits.

Export arrangements should be discussed realistically. Surplus electricity can be exported to the grid, but export payments, tariffs and household demand will influence the financial case. The aim is not to promise a fixed saving before the site data is understood. It is to help you make an informed decision based on expected generation and likely self-consumption.

7. Grid connection, permissions and compliance

The installer should establish the supply type and consider the local network connection process. Some systems can be notified after installation, while others require approval before work begins. The correct route depends on the proposed generation capacity and site circumstances.

Planning requirements should also be checked where relevant. Solar is often permitted development, but listed buildings, conservation areas, unusual locations and commercial sites can require additional consideration. Leasehold properties, flats and managed premises may need consent from a freeholder, managing agent or landlord before work proceeds.

The final design should account for applicable electrical standards, product requirements, testing and certification. On completion, you should expect clear handover information, commissioning records and an explanation of how the system operates.

Questions worth asking during the survey

Use the appointment to understand the recommendation, not simply the panel quantity. Ask why a particular layout has been chosen, how shading has been allowed for, where cables will run and whether your consumer unit requires work. If battery storage is proposed, ask what it is expected to achieve for your usage pattern rather than relying on a generic percentage claim.

For commercial and industrial properties, ask about programme planning, isolation requirements, site safety arrangements and whether existing electrical testing or remedial work should be completed first. A dependable contractor will explain constraints clearly and record what has been agreed.

What happens after the survey

Following the visit, the survey findings are used to prepare a tailored design and quotation. This should set out the proposed equipment, panel layout, generation assumptions, electrical work, access needs and any recommendations that must be addressed before installation.

The strongest outcome from a survey is clarity. You should know what will be installed, where it will go, what preparatory work is needed and what the system is designed to deliver. A careful survey does not guarantee that every property is suitable for the largest possible array, but it gives you a far better basis for choosing a safe, well-planned solar installation that can serve the property reliably for years to come.

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Areas we cover: Cannock, Hednesford, Rugeley, Burntwood, Lichfield, Walsall, Stafford, Penkridge, Great Wyrley, Cheslyn Hay and Wolverhampton WV9/WV10.

Domestic electrical work · Commercial · EICR testing · Solar & battery · EV chargers · Areas we cover