Path-Q Solar
What should a landlord determine before asking installers to design solar for multiple tenant meters?
Answer
Determine who owns each meter and load, how solar output will be allocated, which party receives the benefit, how tenants are billed or credited, and who is responsible for access, maintenance, contracts, and future changes. The design must follow the site's electrical configuration and applicable utility and regulatory arrangements.
Key points
- Map meters, panels, common loads, tenant loads, and the physical points where solar can connect.
- Clarify whether the objective is common-area offset, direct tenant benefit, shared allocation, or another structure.
- Document consent, roof rights, operating responsibilities, data access, and treatment of vacancies or tenant turnover.
What it depends on
- Meter ownership and electrical topology
- Lease terms and tenant benefit arrangements
- Landlord, tenant, utility, lender, insurer, and other stakeholder requirements
- System ownership, financing, maintenance, and allocation method
Risks and trade-offs
- A technically feasible array may not provide benefits fairly or predictably across separate meters.
- Allocation and billing arrangements can create administrative, contractual, or compliance obligations.
- Future tenant turnover or meter changes can undermine a design based on current loads.
Information you may need
- Utility bills and interval data for each meter
- Single-line diagrams and service configurations
- Leases, roof rights, and tenant consent requirements
- Desired ownership, allocation, billing, maintenance, and exit structure
Your next step
What to do next
Prepare a meter-and-load map and have the installer, utility or program administrator, and appropriate legal or financial advisers confirm a workable allocation structure before design.
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Some details may depend on your location, installer, utility, incentives, regulations, or specific property.
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