The Solar Site Survey: How We Conduct Our Solar Surveys

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[00:03] Host: Hello everyone and welcome to another episode of Topps Talk.

[00:07] Host: I’m your host, and today we’re going to be talking about solar site surveys.

[00:11] Host: We have a special guest with us today, Mark Freitag, our lead solar technician.

[00:16] Host: Mark, thank you so much for joining us today.

[00:19] Mark: Thank you for having me.

[00:21] Host: So Mark, tell us a little bit about yourself and your experience in the solar industry.

[00:26] Mark: Well, I’ve been with Solar Topps for about seven years now, um, and I’ve been in the industry for about ten.

[00:32] Mark: I started out as an installer and worked my way up to lead technician, so I’ve seen pretty much everything.

[00:38] Host: That’s great. So you’re the perfect person to talk to us about solar site surveys.

[00:44] Host: For our viewers who might not know, what exactly is a solar site survey?

[00:49] Mark: Well, a solar site survey is basically our first physical visit to your home after you’ve signed up for solar.

[00:56] Mark: It’s where we come out and, uh, take measurements, look at your electrical panel, check your roof condition.

[01:02] Mark: We’re basically gathering all the information we need to design your system properly.

[01:08] Host: So it’s really the foundation for the entire solar installation process, right?

[01:14] Mark: Absolutely. If we don’t get this part right, nothing else will go smoothly.

[01:19] Host: So walk us through what happens during a typical solar site survey.

[01:25] Mark: Sure. So when we arrive at your home, we’ll introduce ourselves and explain what we’re going to be doing.

[01:32] Mark: First, we’ll take a look at your electrical panel to make sure it can handle the solar system.

[01:38] Mark: We check the amperage, the brand, the model, and we take pictures for our engineers.

[01:45] Mark: Then we’ll head up to your roof where we’ll take detailed measurements and assess the condition.

[01:52] Mark: We’re looking at things like the type of roofing material, the pitch, any obstructions like vents or skylights.

[01:58] Mark: We also check for shading from trees or nearby buildings that might affect solar production.

[02:05] Host: And I understand you use some special tools during this process?

[02:10] Mark: Yes, we use a few different tools. We have a solar pathfinder that helps us measure shading.

[02:16] Mark: We use laser measuring devices for accurate dimensions, and we take lots of photos.

[02:22] Mark: We also have an app that helps us determine the optimal placement for the panels.

[02:28] Host: How long does a typical site survey take?

[02:34] Mark: Usually about an hour to an hour and a half, depending on the complexity of the home.

[02:40] Mark: Larger homes or more complex roof designs might take a bit longer.

[02:46] Host: And does the homeowner need to be present during the survey?

[02:52] Mark: It’s helpful if they can be, especially at the beginning and end of the survey.

[02:58] Mark: We might have questions about the electrical panel or other aspects of the home.

[03:04] Mark: But if they can’t be there the whole time, that’s usually fine too.

[03:10] Host: What are some common issues you might discover during a site survey?

[03:16] Mark: Well, sometimes we find that the electrical panel needs to be upgraded.

[03:22] Mark: Older homes often have panels that aren’t compatible with solar or don’t have enough capacity.

[03:28] Mark: We might also discover roof issues like damaged shingles or structural concerns.

[03:34] Mark: And occasionally we find that there’s too much shading for solar to be effective.

[03:40] Host: And what happens if you do find issues like these?

[03:46] Mark: We document everything and discuss it with the homeowner. If it’s something simple, we can often work around it.

[03:52] Mark: For more significant issues, we’ll coordinate with our team to find solutions.

[03:58] Mark: For example, if an electrical panel needs upgrading, we can include that in the project.

[04:04] Mark: If there are roof concerns, we might recommend repairs before installation.

[04:10] Host: So after the survey is complete, what’s the next step?

[04:16] Mark: We take all the information back to our office where our engineers review it.

[04:22] Mark: They’ll create a detailed design for your solar system based on our findings.

[04:28] Mark: This includes the exact placement of panels, the wiring plan, and equipment specifications.

[04:34] Mark: Once that’s done, we’ll schedule the installation.

[04:40] Host: How long does it typically take from the survey to installation?

[04:46] Mark: Usually about two to three weeks, depending on our current workload and permitting timelines.

[04:52] Mark: We need to get permits from the city or county, and that can sometimes take a bit of time.

[04:58] Host: Are there any ways homeowners can prepare for a site survey?

[05:04] Mark: Yes, there are a few things that can help. First, make sure we have access to your electrical panel.

[05:10] Mark: Sometimes these are in garages or utility rooms that might be locked or blocked by storage.

[05:16] Mark: Also, if you have any known issues with your roof or electrical system, let us know beforehand.

[05:22] Mark: And if you have pets, it’s good to secure them during the survey for their safety and ours.

[05:28] Host: Those are great tips. What about access to the roof? Do homeowners need to provide a ladder?

[05:34] Mark: No, we bring all our own equipment, including ladders. We’re fully self-sufficient.

[05:40] Mark: We just need permission to access your property and home as needed.

[05:46] Host: And I imagine safety is a big concern when you’re up on roofs all day.

[05:52] Mark: Absolutely. Safety is our number one priority. We use proper fall protection equipment.

[05:58] Mark: All our technicians are trained in roof safety and we follow strict protocols.

[06:04] Mark: We also carry insurance, of course, but we work hard to prevent any issues in the first place.

[06:10] Host: That’s really reassuring. Now, are there any seasonal considerations for site surveys?

[06:16] Mark: We conduct surveys year-round, but there are some seasonal factors to consider.

[06:22] Mark: In summer, we try to work earlier in the day to avoid the extreme heat on rooftops.

[06:28] Mark: In winter, we might reschedule if there’s rain or snow since wet roofs can be dangerous.

[06:34] Mark: But generally, we can work in most weather conditions here in Arizona.

[06:40] Host: Speaking of Arizona, are there any specific considerations for homes in our region?

[06:46] Mark: Yes, definitely. Our intense sun is actually great for solar production.

[06:52] Mark: But we need to consider things like the monsoon season and dust storms when designing systems.

[06:58] Mark: We also look at how the extreme summer heat might affect equipment placement and ventilation.

[07:04] Mark: And we’re very familiar with the typical construction styles in Arizona, which helps us work efficiently.

[07:10] Host: That local knowledge must be really valuable.

[07:16] Mark: It absolutely is. That’s one advantage of working with a local company like Solar Topps.

[07:22] Mark: We understand the unique challenges and opportunities of solar in Arizona.

[07:28] Host: Let’s talk about some common questions homeowners have during site surveys.

[07:34] Mark: Sure. One of the most common questions is about how many panels they’ll need.

[07:40] Mark: People also ask about how the panels are attached to the roof and if they’ll cause leaks.

[07:46] Mark: They want to know where the inverter will be placed and how visible the system will be from the street.

[07:52] Mark: And of course, they ask about timeline – when will installation happen and how long will it take.

[07:58] Host: And how do you address those concerns?

[08:04] Mark: We’re very transparent. We explain that the number of panels depends on their energy usage and available roof space.

[08:10] Mark: We show them exactly how panels are mounted and explain our waterproofing methods.

[08:16] Mark: We discuss options for inverter placement and try to find locations that are both functional and unobtrusive.

[08:22] Mark: And we give realistic timelines based on our current schedule and their specific project needs.

[08:28] Host: That’s great. I think transparency is so important in this industry.

[08:34] Mark: Absolutely. We want our customers to feel informed and comfortable throughout the process.

[08:40] Host: Are there any misconceptions about solar site surveys that you’d like to address?

[08:46] Mark: One common misconception is that we’re going to start installing panels that same day.

[08:52] Mark: The survey is just the information-gathering stage – installation comes later.

[08:58] Mark: Another is that every home is suitable for solar. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.

[09:04] Mark: Sometimes there are legitimate reasons why solar might not work for a particular property.

[09:10] Mark: And people sometimes think the process will be disruptive or messy, but we work hard to minimize any inconvenience.

[09:16] Host: That’s really helpful context. What would you say makes Solar Topps’ approach to site surveys unique?

[09:22] Mark: I think it’s our attention to detail and our customer-focused approach.

[09:28] Mark: We’re not just checking boxes – we’re really trying to understand each home’s unique characteristics.

[09:34] Mark: We take the time to explain things to homeowners and answer all their questions.

[09:40] Mark: And we’re very thorough in our documentation, which helps prevent issues later in the process.

[09:46] Host: That thoroughness must really pay off during installation.

[09:52] Mark: It absolutely does. When we do a good job on the survey, the installation goes much more smoothly.

[09:58] Mark: There are fewer surprises, which means fewer delays and a better experience for everyone.

[10:04] Host: So to wrap up, what would you say is the most important thing for homeowners to know about solar site surveys?

[10:10] Mark: I’d say it’s that this step is really crucial to the success of your solar project.

[10:16] Mark: It’s worth taking the time to do it right and to work with experienced professionals.

[10:22] Mark: Don’t hesitate to ask questions and share any concerns you have about your property.

[10:28] Mark: The more information we have, the better we can design a system that meets your needs.

[10:34] Host: That’s excellent advice. Mark, thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us today.

[10:40] Mark: My pleasure. Happy to help educate people about the solar process.

[10:46] Host: And thank you all for watching this episode of Topps Talk.

[10:52] Host: If you’re considering solar for your home, we hope this gives you a better understanding of what to expect.

[10:58] Host: Remember, at Solar Topps, we’re committed to making your solar journey as smooth as possible.

[11:04] Host: Be sure to like and subscribe for more episodes, and we’ll see you next time.

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