Commercial and industrial solar PV planning is not simply a question of how many panels fit on a roof. A sound feasibility review combines the facility’s electricity demand with site conditions, interconnection requirements, access and long-term maintenance needs.
1. Understand when the facility uses electricity
Gather recent electricity bills and, where available, interval load data. Review demand peaks, daytime consumption, weekend operation and seasonal changes. Consider whether future machinery, shifts or process changes may alter demand.
The value of generation depends on how the facility uses or exports electricity, not only on a panel nameplate rating.
2. Assess usable site area
Review roof or land area, orientation, shading from nearby buildings, access paths, drainage, fire-safety constraints and equipment clearance. A visual site walk-through helps identify obstructions that satellite imagery may miss.
For rooftops, structural capacity and waterproofing arrangements require a qualified assessment before installation decisions.
3. Define the electrical interconnection
Identify the existing distribution voltage, main panel arrangements, protection requirements, metering and connection points. Discuss any applicable utility approvals, site rules and export limits with the responsible parties.
Do not assume an export or net-metering arrangement is available without checking the current rules for the actual site.
4. Build realistic energy expectations
Estimate solar generation using credible irradiation and weather inputs, orientation, shading, equipment losses and expected maintenance. Present assumptions transparently and compare scenarios rather than treating a single yield number as guaranteed output.
Consider equipment warranty terms and performance characteristics separately from site-level energy-production estimates.
5. Plan operational access and maintenance
Account for module cleaning access, inverter placement, electrical isolation, cable protection, monitoring and fault response. Design a handover approach that operations staff can maintain safely.
Specify how production data will be reviewed, how faults are reported, and who will manage periodic inspection and corrective maintenance.
6. Evaluate feasibility beyond installation cost
Compare capital requirements with expected energy savings, maintenance costs, equipment replacement allowances and uncertainty in tariffs or operating patterns. Make assumptions explicit so decision makers can compare options on a consistent basis.
Financial results should be presented as scenarios, not guaranteed payback or investment returns.
7. Prepare useful information for a first discussion
A preliminary solar enquiry can include the facility location, average electricity consumption, available roof/land area, building type, recent electricity bills, photographs and any preferred operating constraints. Indicate which details still need site verification.
A site-specific engineering review is required before any final electrical, structural or commercial commitment.
The right starting point for C&I solar PV is a site-and-load feasibility review. Generation estimates, structural suitability, electrical integration and maintenance access should support one coherent proposal.
Professional note: This article is a general educational overview. Site-specific calculations, safety reviews, engineering decisions and approvals should be carried out by appropriately qualified professionals using current applicable requirements.
Share the site context and project constraints with TEKMILA.