Should providers visit the site before submitting a solar proposal?
An initial proposal can be developed from remote data and documentation, but a site visit by shortlisted providers helps confirm assumptions and refine pricing before you make a final decision.
A common question in the solar procurement process is whether providers need to physically visit your property before submitting a proposal. The short answer: not for the initial bid, but yes before you sign a contract.
For the first round of proposals, most qualified providers can develop a robust bid based on remote data: satellite imagery, utility bills, interval data, electrical documentation (single-line diagrams, transformer ratings), and roof condition reports. This approach lets you cast a wider net, receive more competitive bids, and move faster through the initial evaluation.
Once you've narrowed the field to a shortlist of 2–3 providers, a site visit becomes important. Walking the property lets providers confirm assumptions about roof condition, structural capacity, electrical equipment, shading, access for installation equipment, and any site-specific factors that affect design and pricing. It's common for pricing to adjust slightly after a site visit — usually minor refinements rather than major changes, assuming the initial documentation was thorough.
The site visit also serves as a useful evaluation tool. How a provider conducts their visit — what questions they ask, what they notice, how thorough they are — tells you a lot about their experience and attention to detail. It's a practical way to assess fit beyond just the numbers in their proposal.