What to Expect During a Solar Site Assessment
- nickslmsolar
- Jul 31
- 2 min read
When you're thinking about going solar, the first major step after your consultation is the site assessment. This critical visit allows your installer to evaluate the property, flag any issues, and ensure your custom solar design is accurate, safe, and code-compliant. Here’s what to expect — and why it matters.
What Happens During the Assessment?
An experienced solar technician will visit your home and evaluate several key components:
Roof pitch, shading, and material condition
Structural integrity of your roof
Electrical service panel size, brand, and location
Attic access (if required for structural verification)
System layout and placement logistics
They’ll also take precise measurements, verify local code requirements, and ensure any satellite-based system design is realistic.
Red Flags Installers Watch For
Not every roof or electrical system is installation-ready. During the assessment, SLM Solar techs look for:
Aging or damaged roofs: If your roof is nearing end-of-life, we may recommend coupling your install with a new roof to protect your investment. This will alleviate the cost of having your solar system lifted to replace the roof later.
Federal Pacific or Zinsco Panels: These outdated electrical panels are unsafe and may need to be upgraded before solar installation can proceed.
Limited main service capacity: Some homes have panels that can’t safely support solar system interconnection without a panel or meter upgrade.
Excessive shading: Overgrown trees or nearby obstructions could impact solar performance and might require trimming or system redesign.
Why This Impacts Price and Timeline
If upgrades are needed — like a new electrical panel, tree removal, or roof work — they’ll be factored into your updated proposal. While it can slightly raise the overall price, these upgrades protect your home and ensure long-term performance. More importantly, identifying issues early keeps your project on track and helps avoid inspection delays later.
At SLM Solar, we believe in getting it right the first time. Our team is licensed, insured, and equipped to spot issues other companies might miss.
Have a question? Let us help!
Call us at 765-276-6952
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