Site survey

A site survey gathers information on the local conditions and issues that affect a proposed PV installation, and it is the starting point of the project. Findings are recorded as notes, photographs, measurements and other observations, and together with the customer's wishes they form the basis for the final quote, the system design and the installation plan. The survey finds a suitable array location, checks whether the array will be shaded at critical times, chooses the mounting method, places the balance-of-system equipment and decides how the system will connect to the existing electrical service. On roofs, the assessment covers the roof material, its age and condition, its structural integrity, and any obstructions that would reduce sunlight on the modules. Aerial imagery used in design software may be out of date, so a physical roof visit is recommended before giving a price, to confirm obstacles and roof access. The survey should also include a hazard assessment and identify locations for staging, lifting and access. Larger commercial projects usually need more detail because the equipment is bigger and the hazards are greater. Typical survey kit includes PPE and fall protection, ladders and hand tools, tape measures, compasses and solar shading calculators, plus electrical meters and power quality analyzers. During the visit, the customer's energy bills and future loads such as electric vehicles, pool heating, heavy air conditioning or home expansion help decide the system size.

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• sentence 3: support check: partial - The passages say the assessment involves determining these items, but 'decides how the system will connect' and 'chooses' overstate; the survey determines/evaluates them, and interfacing with existing electrical systems isn't specifically 'service' connection. -->