Remote Site Survey
A Remote Site Survey is a digital method of evaluating a property for solar installation without physically visiting the location. Using satellite imagery, drone captures, LIDAR data, roof measurements, irradiance models, and solar shading analysis, designers can gather all essential site details required for feasibility assessment, accurate system design, and proposal creation.
Remote site surveys dramatically accelerate early-stage solar designing workflows. Instead of waiting days for on-site visits, solar teams can perform instant assessments, generate layouts, and build professional solar proposals within minutes—improving sales velocity, design accuracy, and overall project planning efficiency.
Key Takeaways
- Remote Site Surveys replace early physical site visits
- They accelerate sales and improve design accuracy
- Satellite, drone, and LIDAR data power modern assessments
- Essential for feasibility, design, proposals, and energy modeling
- Effective across residential, commercial, and utility-scale projects
What It Is
A Remote Site Survey is the solar industry’s modern alternative to traditional in-person assessments. It enables designers, EPCs, and solar installers to digitally collect the structural, electrical, and environmental information required to evaluate a site, including:
- Roof dimensions, tilt, and azimuth
- Year-round shading patterns
- Available installation area
- Obstructions and code setbacks
- Electrical service capacity
- Structural feasibility indicators
- Access pathways and safety constraints
In most workflows, remote surveys are used at the pre-proposal and early design stage, right before solar layout optimization and detailed stringing & electrical design begin.
How It Works
A Remote Site Survey combines multiple digital data sources to create a complete and design-ready view of the installation site.
1. Satellite & LIDAR Data Capture
High-resolution satellite imagery and LIDAR elevation models are used to identify:
- Roof geometry and building orientation
- Nearby trees and surrounding structures
- Terrain elevation, slopes, and horizon lines
- Seasonal shading behavior
This data directly feeds into Shadow Analysis and early-stage production modeling.
2. Roof & Structure Measurements
Using image-based geometry tools:
- Roof pitch is calculated or verified using the Roof Pitch Calculator
- Roof edges, obstructions, and usable surfaces are mapped
- Code-driven setbacks and pathways are applied
This ensures layouts are accurate before moving to mounting structure selection.
3. Customer Inputs & Photos
Homeowners or facility managers upload:
- Electrical panel photos
- Main service equipment images
- Roof condition photos
- Attic or structural visuals (when available)
These inputs reduce assumptions and improve confidence in AHJ compliance and electrical feasibility.
4. Shading & Obstruction Analysis
Remote survey tools evaluate shading across different hours and seasons to support:
- Optimized panel placement
- Performance simulation
- Accurate energy forecasting
This step is critical for predicting performance ratio and avoiding yield overestimation.
5. Design & Proposal Creation
Once measurements and shading data are validated, teams move quickly to:
- Solar layout optimization
- Stringing & electrical design
- Generation forecasting
- Customer-ready proposals using Solar Proposals
Types / Variants
1. Satellite-Based Remote Survey
- Uses global imagery datasets
- Fast and scalable
- Ideal for residential and early sales qualification
2. Drone-Based Remote Survey
- Ultra-high-resolution imagery
- Best for complex roofs and commercial projects
- Produces accurate 3D models for engineering teams
3. Hybrid Survey (Remote + Customer Assisted)
- Customer uploads images and measurements
- Designers combine them with satellite and LIDAR data
- Excellent for speeding up qualification and sales workflows
4. LIDAR-Enhanced Survey
- Uses point-cloud elevation data
- Superior accuracy for shading and terrain analysis
- Common in commercial solar and utility-scale planning
How It’s Measured
Remote Site Survey outputs are evaluated based on accuracy, completeness, and design readiness.
ParameterMeasurement MethodTypical OutputsRoof PitchGeometry estimation / calculatorsDegrees (°)Roof AreaImage-based mappingm² / ft² usableShading LevelsSolar access & irradiance models% annual accessPanel FitLayout optimizationPanel count, kWElectrical ViabilityPhoto & metadata reviewService rating
Practical Guidance for Solar Designers & Installers
- Use remote surveys early to qualify leads and shorten sales cycles
- Always verify pitch using the Roof Pitch Calculator when imagery is unclear
- Request electrical panel photos to improve electrical design accuracy
- Combine satellite + LIDAR data for tree-heavy or uneven sites
- Rely on Shadow Analysis to avoid yield overestimation
- Re-validate critical dimensions before construction—especially on commercial rooftops
Real-World Examples
Residential Rooftop
A homeowner requests a quote. Using a remote site survey:
- Roof pitch and azimuth are mapped digitally
- Shading from nearby trees is identified
- System size is optimized using the Solar Panel Sizer
- A proposal is generated the same day via Solar Proposals
Commercial Metal Roof
Using drone imagery and LIDAR:
- Designers map a 300 kW layout
- Identify HVAC obstructions and walkways
- Run ROI modeling using the Solar ROI Calculator
The EPC presents an engineered solution without stepping on-site.
Utility-Scale Ground Mount
A developer screens a 40-acre parcel using remote analysis:
- Terrain slope and access roads are assessed
- Shading and horizon lines are mapped
- Preliminary generation estimates are created
Field teams are deployed only after feasibility is confirmed.
.svg)
