Path-Q Solar
When should a landlord commission a solar feasibility study before approaching tenants?
Answer
Commission a feasibility study first when the landlord does not yet know whether the property can support a useful, affordable, and operationally practical system. The study is especially worthwhile before tenant discussions if roof condition, electrical capacity, shading, expected production, or allocation of benefits is uncertain.
Key points
- The study should address roof condition, available area, shading, electrical infrastructure, expected production, and likely installation constraints.
- It should distinguish technical feasibility from financial feasibility and tenant benefit.
- The landlord should define whether the system would serve common areas, individual tenants, or both.
- Tenant discussions can begin earlier only when the landlord is clearly presenting a preliminary concept rather than a committed offer.
What it depends on
- Roof condition and remaining useful life
- Site layout, shading, and electrical capacity
- Tenant load profiles and lease structures
- Ownership, metering, cost allocation, and operational plans
Risks and trade-offs
- Approaching tenants with an untested design can create expectations that later change.
- A technically feasible system may not produce benefits that align with tenant leases or operating patterns.
- The study has a cost, but proceeding without it can lead to redesign, wasted discussions, or an unsuitable proposal.
Information you may need
- Roof and electrical records
- Historical building and tenant energy use
- Lease terms and expected tenant turnover
- The landlord's goals for cost savings, resilience, or property value
Your next step
What to do next
Obtain a feasibility assessment that includes technical constraints and a tenant-benefit model, then use its assumptions to structure an exploratory tenant discussion.
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