The solar site inspection process is the final quality and safety gate before permission to operate. Authorities having jurisdiction and utilities verify that your design, installation, and labeling match codes and permits. Getting it right avoids costly rework, faster PTO, and a better customer handoff. For a line-item view of expenses, see our
solar site visit cost breakdown. Below you will find what happens when, who is involved, a practical checklist, and how remote workflows can shorten timelines without adding risk.
Types of inspections and who is involved
There are two main inspection paths you will encounter. Compliance inspections verify that your system meets local building and electrical codes, your approved plan set, and utility interconnection rules. This visit is typically conducted by the AHJ, a third party contracted by the AHJ, and in some markets by the utility for meter work and interconnection. O&M inspections focus on ongoing performance, safety, and preventive maintenance after commissioning. While not always mandated, periodic O&M inspections reduce downtime and protect ROI. For compliance, expect coordination with the homeowner, access to electrical gear, and availability of a qualified electrician to answer technical questions.
Pre-inspection planning and preparation
Strong preparation is the fastest way to pass on the first attempt. Confirm your permit and plan set are current and that any field changes are documented on as-builts. Verify components match the submittals, including modules, inverters, optimizers, racking, overcurrent protection, and conductors. Schedule the inspection when an electrician can be on site and ensure the property owner will be present or has provided access permissions.
Gather documentation in a single folder: stamped plans, structural letter if required, datasheets, spec-compliant calculations, labels legend, equipment serial numbers, commissioning logs, and inverter configuration screenshots. Do a dry run walk-through to confirm fire code pathways and roof setbacks are clear, penetrations are sealed, conductors are managed with sunlight-resistant hardware, and labeling is complete. If the inspection includes utility PTO steps, confirm the service panel rating, busbar calculations, and breaker positions meet the rules for your market.
During the inspection: what inspectors verify
On site, inspectors prioritize life safety, code compliance, and conformance to your approved plans. They typically start with access and site safety: clear paths, secured ladders, fall protection, and locked-out equipment where applicable. Roof arrays are checked for structural attachment patterns, standoff spacing, waterproofing, and that racking and module mounting follow manufacturer torque and hardware requirements. Fire code checks include roof access pathways, ridge and hip setbacks, and clear emergency egress.
Electrical verification covers grounding and bonding continuity, equipment grounding conductors, proper conductor sizing and insulation types, overcurrent protection, and disconnect locations. Inspectors often confirm rapid shutdown functionality per current code, inverter AC output ratings and settings, DC polarity, string configuration, and that wiring is protected from abrasion and UV. They will match installed equipment against the plan set and datasheets, check labels for durability and accuracy, and verify working clearances around electrical equipment. Expect questions about busbar load calculations, service panel ratings, supply-side vs load-side connections, and whether any field changes were approved.
Solar site inspection checklist
Use this concise checklist to align crews, homeowners, and inspectors. Adapt to your local AHJ and utility rules.
- Documents ready - Approved plan set, permits, as-builts for any changes, datasheets, calculations, commissioning logs, photos of concealed work, labels legend.
- Access and safety - Safe roof access, clear work areas, required PPE on site, equipment de-energized as requested, working clearances maintained.
- Structural - Attachment layout matches plans, correct fastener type and torque, flashed penetrations with sealed lag bolts, proper standoff height, rail and clamp specs followed.
- Module array - Modules secured per manufacturer instructions, no cracked glass or damaged frames, even row alignment, required setbacks and pathways maintained.
- Conductor management - PV wire secured at required intervals with UV-rated hardware, no sagging or sharp bends, penetrations bushed and sealed, sunlight-resistant conduit where exposed.
- Grounding and bonding - Continuous equipment grounding, listed bonding jumpers, grounding lugs installed per listing, corrosion protection in place.
- Overcurrent protection - Fuses and breakers correctly sized and listed, DC and AC disconnects present, accessible, and labeled, line and load sides correctly landed.
- Inverter and power electronics - Inverter model matches plans, settings and nameplate visible, optimizers or MLPE per string as designed, AC output conductors sized correctly.
- Rapid shutdown - Initiation switch accessible and labeled, test procedure demonstrated, array de-energizes per applicable code timing and distance rules.
- Service equipment - Main panel rating and busbar calculations compliant, breaker positions per plan, labeling of backfeed breakers, torque labels as required.
- Labeling - Weather-resistant labels with correct wording, color, and location for DC, AC, disconnects, rapid shutdown, and placards at service equipment.
- Fire code - Pathways kept clear, ridge and valley offsets met, access points unobstructed, signage visible to first responders.
- Commissioning evidence - Photos, test results, and inverter screenshots showing operational status, voltage and current within expected ranges.
- Utility readiness - Meter access clear, interconnection paperwork prefilled, utility requirements met for load-side or supply-side connection.
- Homeowner prep - Driveway clear, pets secured, interior access to electrical equipment ensured, contact on site or reachable by phone.
After the inspection: corrections, reinspection, and PTO
If you pass, the AHJ or utility records approval and you proceed to interconnection. For minor corrections, you may submit photos or schedule a quick reinspection; for major deviations, a plan revision and full reinspection can be required. Close out with a complete package for the customer: approved plans, serials, warranties, labeling map, monitoring access, and maintenance tips.
Interconnection steps vary by utility. Common actions include submitting the passed inspection record, scheduling a meter swap if needed, and receiving permission to operate. Only energize the system after formal PTO. Walk the homeowner through rapid shutdown location, main equipment, and monitoring so they know how to verify performance and who to contact for support.
How often should you inspect operating systems
Plan a visual and performance inspection annually, and after severe weather. For commercial arrays or harsher environments, consider semi-annual checks. Review monitoring data monthly for trends, temperature derates, or string underperformance. Document findings and prioritize corrective actions that affect safety, production, or warranties.
Faster, lower-risk inspections with remote workflows
Many reinspection delays start in sales and survey. When site data is incomplete, designs drift from reality and inspectors flag mismatches. Remote property data, accurate roof measurements, and early code checks reduce those gaps. With Enervio, sales teams gather property characteristics remotely, generate 3D solar simulations in proposals, and hand off clean, consistent data to design and permitting. That alignment reduces field changes, streamlines the solar site inspection process, and accelerates PTO. If you want to cut cycle time without adding truck rolls, bring more of your pre-checks online. If you are comparing solutions, review our
feature-by-feature comparison to evaluate platforms that streamline inspections.
Ready to streamline your inspection workflow with remote data and design handoffs?
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FAQs
What are the steps in the solar site inspection process
Typical flow: finalize permitting and plan set, schedule with the AHJ and homeowner, prepare documents, perform a pre-check, attend the on-site inspection with a qualified electrician, demonstrate rapid shutdown and equipment access, address any corrections, submit pass documentation to the utility, and receive PTO before energizing. In some markets, the utility performs additional checks or the meter swap during or after the AHJ visit.
What happens during a site inspection
Inspectors verify life safety, structural attachments and waterproofing, electrical compliance, rapid shutdown, labeling, and that the install matches the approved plans. They check conductor sizes and protection, grounding and bonding continuity, fire code pathways, working clearances, and equipment ratings. You may be asked to open equipment, show nameplates, demonstrate shutdown, and explain any field changes. Clear access and organized documents keep the visit short and smooth.
How long does a solar site survey or inspection take
On-site compliance inspections typically take 30 to 90 minutes for residential systems, longer for complex or commercial projects. A pre-install site survey can be done remotely for many homes using accurate property data and imagery, with an on-site visit reserved for edge cases. Reinspections for minor corrections are often shorter if photo verification is not accepted by the AHJ.
