How a commercial solar survey works

The short version

1. You tell us about the site. Six quick questions about the building, ownership, electricity spend and timescale, then your contact details.
2. We call you. We talk through the site, your bills and what you want from solar, and check that a survey is worth your time.
3. A free survey is arranged. If the site looks suitable, we match it to one MCS certified installer and arrange the survey, in person at the site or by video call.
4. You receive the findings. A proposed system size and layout, expected generation, an installed cost range, savings, payback and any issues to resolve first.
5. You decide. There is no obligation to proceed, and nothing is installed unless you sign a contract with the installer.

Step 1: the enquiry form

The form asks what kind of site it is, whether you own or lease it, roughly what you spend on electricity each month, whether you have looked at solar before, when you hope to go ahead, and whether you would prefer an on-site or virtual survey. These answers let us judge quickly whether the site is likely to be suitable and which kind of installer fits it.

You then give the site postcode, the building and street, your name, the business name, a mobile number and an email address. Your details go to one matched installer only.

Step 2: the qualifying call

We call to understand the site properly before anyone visits. Expect questions such as:

• How the building is used and its typical opening or operating hours.
• Roughly how much electricity you use, and whether usage is higher on weekdays, at night or in particular seasons.
• What the roof is made of, how old it is, and whether any work is planned.
• Whether you own the building outright, lease it, or are the landlord.
• Who else needs to be involved in the decision, for example a finance director, landlord, trustees or a school business manager.
• Whether you are interested in battery storage or EV charging as well as panels.

If a site is clearly unsuitable, for example a roof with only a year or two of life left and no plan to replace it, we will say so on the call rather than waste your time.

Step 3: the survey itself

The survey is carried out by one MCS certified installer matched to your site by size, location and roof type. You can choose:

Many projects start virtual and move to an on-site visit once the numbers look promising. Either way, the survey covers the same core areas, set out in full on what the survey includes:

• Energy use. Your bills and, ideally, half-hourly data, so the system is sized to what you actually use. See energy data analysis.
• The roof. Covering, age, condition, fragile areas, shading and access. See roof survey for solar.
• The structure. Whether the frame can carry the extra load, and whether an engineer's report is needed. See structural survey for solar.
• The grid connection. Your supply capacity and whether the network operator needs a G99 application. See G99 and DNO applications.
• Costs, savings and payback. A cost range and an illustrative payback, set out in our cost guide and payback guide.

What to have ready

You will get more from the survey if you can share:

• Twelve months of electricity bills, or at least two recent ones.
• Half-hourly consumption data if your site has a half-hourly meter (your supplier or data collector can provide it).
• Your MPAN, the 13 digit supply number on your bill.
• Any roof drawings, previous roof surveys or warranty documents.
• The asbestos register for older buildings.
• Your lease, if you are a tenant, or contact details for the landlord.

Our survey checklist guide explains each item and where to find it.

Step 4: what you receive

After the survey the installer sets out its findings. Expect:

• A proposed system size in kWp and a panel layout.
• Expected annual generation, and how much of it you would use on site versus export.
• An installed cost range and what it includes.
• Estimated annual savings and an illustrative payback period.
• Anything that needs resolving first: roof repairs, a structural check, a grid application, landlord consent or planning.
• Options for paying for it, from outright purchase to a power purchase agreement.

Step 5: your decision

There is no obligation. If the numbers work, the next stages are usually a detailed design, any structural or grid applications, a contract, and then installation. Timescales vary widely, mainly because of network operator responses for larger systems, so treat any date as an estimate until the grid position is confirmed.

Note: Commercial Solar Surveys arranges the survey. We do not install panels or provide finance ourselves. Any contract to supply and install a system is between you and the installer you choose.