Path-Q Solar
What should a small business gather before asking for a solar production estimate?
Answer
Gather site, load, operating-hours, roof, ownership, and electrical information so the estimate reflects both the building and the business’s actual consumption. Give installers enough history to model seasonal operations and planned changes rather than relying on a single annual total.
Key points
- Collect utility bills or interval data, demand information if billed, operating hours, and seasonal closures.
- Provide roof plans or building details, roof age and condition, shading information, and available parking or ground areas.
- List planned equipment, expansions, electrification, lease changes, and the intended ownership or financing structure.
What it depends on
- Completeness of utility and operating data
- Roof and electrical-site characteristics
- Planned business growth and load changes
Risks and trade-offs
- A production estimate that ignores demand patterns or business hours may not support the intended financial analysis.
- Roof work or lease restrictions can affect feasibility and timing.
- Commercial proposals may need separate treatment of energy, demand, backup, and financing assumptions.
Information you may need
- At least one to several years of utility bills or interval data
- Site plans, roof information, electrical service details, and shading conditions
- Business operating schedule and planned load changes
Your next step
What to do next
Create a site-and-load information package and request that each installer return the same production, sizing, and assumption fields.
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