Posted:
- Guide
Investing in solar panels for your home is an exciting process. Before making the switch to renewable energy, it’s important to make sure that your home is a good fit for solar panels and that the system you have in mind is designed to meet your and your home's needs.
A solar panel survey takes a detailed look at your home’s energy needs, roof structure, and suitability for solar installation.
It provides us with all the information we need to design the most efficient and cost-effective system tailored to your home. Below, we’ve covered what’s included in a typical solar panel survey, making sure that every detail is thought about to deliver the best results.
What’s included in a solar panel survey?
The initial consultation
A majority of solar panel surveys and quotes can be done virtually. This is normally via a phone or video call, followed by an online home assessment. During the first consultation our surveyor will ask you about your energy needs, rough electricity use, and current energy bills. They will also see if you have any questions about the solar installation process or the panels themselves.
The virtual home survey and assessment
Using online tools, our expert surveyor will analyse your roof, loft, electricity meter, and access points for scaffolding remotely. This will help see where to position the panels, wiring, and anything else necessary for the install.
We use best in class software that allows our surveyor to remotely:
Create a 2D or 3D models
Design your PV solar system
Calculate performance of the quoted system
Complete a structural analysis of your home
Calculate financial projections including payback time of your solar system and environmental benefits over the lifetime of the system
Flag any compliance issues up front including weight and wind loading estimates
Create sun path diagrams, usage profiles, import/export opportunities and storage utilisation
On-Site Technical Survey
While the remote survey provides us with a solid foundation to generate a quote and begin planning your solar panel installation, an additional on-site survey is usually required to make sure everything is in order before the installation. This in-person survey serves several important purposes:
Checking access points for loft spaces and meter locations
One of the main reasons we’ll do an in-person survey is to make sure that our installers will be able to access everything they need to points in your home. This includes checking for access to loft spaces and meter locations. Making sure that we have the access we need to these areas can help prevent any delays later in the process.
Identifying potential safety hazards for installers
During the follow-up survey, we'll also do a detailed inspection of your home so that we can spot potential safety hazards that could affect the installation. This could involve checking for things like loose roof tiles, unstable roof structures, or obstructions that may pose a risk to the installation team.
Verifying roof condition and suitability
Although we use tools like Google Earth for an initial assessment of your roof, it’s essential to perform a hands-on survey to make sure all the information we have is correct. This allows us to check for any issues that we might not have been able to see remotely. Such as hidden damage or areas that may need reinforcement before the solar panels can be installed.
Double-checking structural integrity
This part of the on-site survey can include taking a closer look at trusses, rafters, and other key structural components of your roof and attic. This makes sure that the install will be safe, and that both the roof and our installers are safe and structurally sound.
Final confirmation of system design
While the initial survey will give us a good idea of what will work, the in-person survey allows us to confirm that the solar panel system we’ve designed is the best fit for your home’s layout and structure. We’ll review the planned locations for panels, battery storage, and inverters, making any adjustments to make sure the system is performing at its best.
This approach makes sure that we deliver a tailored and effective solar solution for your home.
Why do you need a solar panel survey?
A solar panel survey is a crucial first step in determining whether your home is suitable for solar energy. This assessment makes sure:
Your roof can support the weight of solar panels
There is sufficient space for the install
The property has the right exposure to the sun to generate enough electricity
Any potential obstructions (such as chimneys or trees) are spotted
Safe and practical locations for scaffolding, wiring, and inverters are found
And most of all that your home is suitable for solar, as not all homes will benefit from having solar panels installed
Without a thorough survey, you may face unexpected installation challenges, delays, or additional costs.
How much does a solar panel survey cost?
Most solar companies, including OVO, offer free surveys as part of their quote. This means you can get an expert evaluation of your home without upfront costs.
How long does a solar panel survey take?
The time it takes to complete a solar panel survey can vary depending on the complexity of your home and energy needs. The usual timeline for each step is below to give you a rough idea of what to expect:
The time needed for an initial solar consultation (10-30 minutes)
The first step in the process is a quick phone consultation where we’ll discuss your home’s energy requirements and the overall process. This typically takes between 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the details of your situation. During this call, we'll gather some basic information about your energy usage and address any immediate questions you may have.
Time to take a look at your solar quote
Once we’ve sent you a quote based on the remote survey, you’ll have some time to review it and think through the details. While there’s no specific time limit we would encourage you to take a few days to look over the quote and ask us any potential questions or adjustments. There’s never any pressure to accept a quote.
In-person solar survey (~1 hour)
When you're ready to move forward, we'll schedule an in-person survey of your home. This usually takes about an hour. During this visit, we might inspect your roof, attic, and any other relevant areas to make sure everything is suitable for the solar panel installation. Every in-person survey will be different. They’re tailored to your home and anything our surveyor thinks they might need to know more about.
In total, the entire survey process - from the initial phone consultation to the in-person assessment usually takes a few hours of your time and is spread out over a couple of days. We aim to make the process as efficient as possible, while also making sure we’ve covered every detail to provide you with the best solar solution.
How to prepare for a solar panel survey
To make the survey process as smooth and efficient as possible, we recommend the following:
Making sure someone over the age 18 is present during the appointment and is either able to show the energy expert around your home in person, or via a video call
Have a smartphone ready for the video call
Clear access to key areas such as the loft, roof, electricity meter, and garden to allow you to reach the areas the surveyor might need need to see
Remove obstructions that could block surveyors from viewing the roof or electrical components
Have a rough idea, or come prepared with an energy bill to help the consultant understand your electricity usage