Solar Site Assessment Services

A3: Complete Stand-Alone Assessment

Completed as a stand-alone assessment eqivalent to Basic and Advanced assessment combined.

Suitability
1. Site
2. Building
3. PV installation
Preliminary installation prerequisites
1. System type: grid-tied, grid-tied w/battery backup, off-grid
2. National Electric Code
3. Electric service provider
Analysis of utility service provider requirements
1. PV, disconnects, inverter, other BOS
2. Metering
3. Net metering
Electric bill review
1. Electric energy efficiency review
2. Objective of solar electric generation: Percent electricity provided by PV
3. offset
4. net-zero
5. net producer
Economics and financial analysis
Rebates, tax credits & other incentives
General PV literature
Resources: Books, Websites, Institutions
Discussion with owner
On-site visit
Written report
Follow-up telephone review

Site visit
1. Detailed site suitability analysis
  1. Shading
  2. Infrastructure constraints
  3. Location constraints
1. Detailed building suitability
  1. Roof
  2. Wiring
  3. PV location
  4. Balance of equipment (BOS) location
Detailed National Electric Code (NEC) requirements
Analysis of utility service provider requirements
Complete review and analysis of electric bill
1. Daily kilowatt-hour consumption
2. Monthly kilowatt-hour consumption
3. Annual kilowatt-hour consumption
4. Household size and lifestyle influences
Electric energy efficiency review and recommendations

Detailed AC energy production analysis
1. potential cost savings
2. net metering
Financial spreadsheet analysis: cost, payback, cash flow, return on investment/internal rate of return.
Environmental benefit assessment: elimination of CO2 greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) and offsetting equivalents
Rebates/incentives, federal and state tax credits: availability and recommendations
Financing
Specific PV literature and system and product recommendations
Installer options
Discussion with owner
Two to three hours on site
Written report
In person follow-up
Telephone follow-up