Solar Carport Site Assessment: What a Survey Covers

Before a solar carport is priced firmly, the installer should assess the site: layout and shading, ground and structure, the electrical supply and the grid connection. This page sets out what a good assessment covers and what to ask the installer to provide in writing. Solar Car Parks is an information site and does not carry out site assessments.

Layout and shading Structure and ground Grid connection

What a site assessment covers

A solar carport is designed and priced around the specific car park, so the installer should assess the site before giving a firm price. A thorough assessment normally covers:

Site walk-around — the car park, neighbouring buildings, sun path and shading factors
3D drone or measured survey, if the site geometry warrants it — captures the layout for design
Structural assessment — ground conditions, existing column positions, services
Grid connection — the main switchboard, existing capacity and the DNO supply point
EV integration — current and projected workplace EV adoption
Operations sequencing — how to build without disrupting trading
Initial discussion of the planning route, grants, finance and timeline

What to ask the installer to provide after the assessment

Ask for these in writing, with the assumptions behind every number:

Indicative system size (kWp + bay count)
Capex range, with inclusions and exclusions listed
Annual generation forecast (kWh, kWh/kWp/yr basis)
Annual saving forecast (£, based on your stated unit rate)
Simple + after-AIA payback period
25-year NPV, with the discount rate stated
A comparison of funding routes (capital / PPA / asset finance, with AIA)
Planning risk assessment for your specific site
DNO capacity check (initial G99 readiness)
Indicative project timeline from sign-off to switch-on

Who should attend from your side

Ideally:

Estates / facilities lead — knows the site
Finance / procurement lead — owns the buy decision
Sustainability lead — owns the strategic case
Optional: M&E consultant if you use one

Any one of these is a workable starting point, and a follow-up multi-party meeting before formal commitment is worth arranging.

Cost and obligation

Ask the installer up front whether the survey is charged, whether the fee is credited against the contract if you proceed, and whether the written findings are yours to keep either way. Get the answer in writing before agreeing to a visit.