SITE SURVEY Version 1.

0 – March 2017

SOLAR PV SYSTEM INTEGRATION

TRAINING MATERIALS

1. Site Survey
Created by: Yirun Lu & Ella Goodall
Created in: March 2017

CHAPTERS CONTAINED UNDER THE TRAINING MATERIALS:

1. Site Survey
2. SP Applications
3. DC Design
4. PE Endorsement
5. AC Design
6. Commissioning
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Table of Contents
1. Overview ............................................................................................................................................... 1
2. What to check during Site Survey? ....................................................................................................... 2
2.1. Access to site................................................................................................................................. 2
2.2. Access to rooftop .......................................................................................................................... 3
2.3. Roof type and condition................................................................................................................ 3
2.4. Safety concerns ............................................................................................................................. 4
2.5. Shading analysis ............................................................................................................................ 4
2.6. Hoisting Methods .......................................................................................................................... 6
2.7. Material Storage Location ............................................................................................................. 6
2.8. ACDB/Inverters Location............................................................................................................... 7
2.9. Switchroom ................................................................................................................................... 8
2.10. Cable Routing ............................................................................................................................ 9
3. How to keep track of the site survey findings? ................................................................................... 11
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Objective
This chapter is to equip all persons carrying out site survey to have a clear understanding of what to look
out for while carrying out site survey, as well as the train of thought to plan the project. During the site
walk, the project manager should also be able to visualize how the whole project will run, and come up
with ideas on how to run the project.

1. Overview
The usual work flow of site survey is usually done in this manner:

Second survey to
First site survey First draft layout plan
confirm layout

Subsequent survey to
Confirm layout and confirm other details
Start of the project
details (electrical routing,
inverter location)

The first site survey is to be conducted by Sunseap just after the signing of the PPA. The subcontractor
needs to be involved in the site surveys starting from the 2nd one. Enova also needs to survey the site to
plan for the shutdown. This survey is to be conducted once the termination point has been selected.

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS ARE VERY IMPORTANT FOR SURVEY!!

What to bring during site survey?

- Roof plan
- Site survey check list
- Phone/tablet to take pictures
- Sun Surveyor app

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2. What to check during Site Survey?

During the first survey, it is important to take note of all the details and orientate according to roof plan.
Sample site: 285 Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim (Panasonic Phase 2)

2.1. Access to site

Have a judge of how is the security clearance or procedure for move in, understand the expected
waiting time. Understand from client what is the permissible working hours.

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2.2. Access to rooftop

Mark out the roof access on roof plan, and take pictures of the access from ground to roof.

2.3. Roof type and condition

Once on the roof, it is important to identify:

- the roof type
- the roof profile (for metal roofs)
- any obvious defect (e.g. cracks on the roof)
- any zone where panels cannot be installed (e.g.
skylights)
- any obstruction (e.g. antennas, aircons)
- lightning protection system
- any existing waterproofing membrane

Systematically take photos of anything that every detail

noticed on the roof. Also, take overall pictures and 360
videos of the roof and the surroundings.

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2.4. Safety concerns

Think about what kind of safety plan to implement.

Check whether there is:

- Existing lifeline
- Existing parapet wall and if yes, its height

2.5. Shading analysis

A systematic shading analysis should be performed to make sure that the shading zones are avoided
during the PV Layout design. Those are two possible configurations:
- Option A: shading before 10:30AM but no shading for the rest of the day
- Option B: shading after 4:30PM but no shading for the rest of the day
A solar PV array for which there is shading before 10:30AM and after 4:30PM is not acceptable, it is
either one solution or the other.

The following SOP needs to be conducted for every

obstruction located either on the roof or in the
surroundings (trees, taller buildings, water tanks
structures, high parapets, antennas…):
1. Place yourself in front of the obstruction
2. Use Sun Surveyor to visualize the sun path. The
phone needs to be placed at the height at which the PV
Module will be installed
3. If the object is obstructing the sun path, move
around (left, right, forward and back) to identify the
zone on the roof plan for which there is shading before
10:30AM or after 4:30PM.
4. Mark out the zone on the roof plan/preliminary
PV layout and the time at which the shading starts or
stops.

The screenshot of the Sun Surveyor app on the left

shows that on the 24th Oct 2016, the sun will be hidden
behind the wall starting from 2:30PM, which means that
the area from where the screenshot has been taken will
be shaded.

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Once this SOP has been conducted for all the obstructions on the roof, the roof plan/prelim PV Layout
should indicate all the zones and this document must be utilized during the detailed design stage. E.g. if
on the roof plan, one zone is shaded before 10:30AM and another one is shaded after 4:30PM, then one
of those two zones cannot contain PV Modules. This is to be decided based on the area and number of
PV Modules that can be installed in the zone as well as the string configuration so that shading affects
the least number of panels.

Even though you feel that the buildings might be too far away from the roof to be a cause of concern,
always double check with Sun Surveyor as there is still a chance of obstruction when the sun is low in
the sky during the morning and afternoon.

Example of location that has been left out

during the design stage because of shading

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2.6. Hoisting Methods

Once the site survey of the roof finished, it is important to assess what method could be used to hoist
the materials on the roof. There are several solutions possible:
- Crane
- Boomlift
- Man-Carry
- A combination of those methods

When surveying the site, ask yourself the following questions:

- Is there space to park the crane/boomlift?
- Is it possible to secure the zone and interrupt the eventual traffic for the hoisting duration?
- Which areas must be closed during hoisting?
- Based on the size of the roof, should I consider to hoist from more than one location?
- If the use of a boomlift is considered, where can I park it in between hoists?

Always take pictures to substantiate and be able to discuss the matter with the customer afterwards as
they may have their own restrictions as well.

2.7. Material Storage Location

During the site survey, it is important to look around to see where can the materials be stored on
ground before being all hoisted on the roof. Take pictures of the eventual appropriate locations so that
it can be discussed with the customer afterwards.

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2.8. ACDB/Inverters Location

Another thing to consider is the location at which the inverters and the ACDB will be installed. It is better
to install the inverters not too far from the roof where the PV Modules are, preferably in an area that is
already sheltered if available. The ACDB will usually be installed at the same areas as the inverters or in
the switchroom, this will depend on the space available in each of those two locations.

Take pictures of the eventual appropriate locations so that it can be discussed with the customer
afterwards. The pictures will also help to assess on whether the inverters and ACDB can be mounted
directly on the wall or if a new mounting structure needs to be added.

Example of location where inverters can be wall-mounted

Example of location where inverters cannot be wall-mounted

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2.9. Switchroom
When visiting a switchroom, ask yourself the following questions:
- Does the SLD match with the switchboard configuration?
- What is the size (amps) of the main breaker?
- Is there a spare breaker available on the busbar? If yes, what is its size (amps)?
- If no, is there space in the switchroom to add an additional panel?

Those details need to be noted down. In the case where the site has multiple switchrooms, the same
exercise should be repeated for each of them. Once the quantity of PV modules is defined, the
switchroom can be chosen based on the size of the breaker required.

As usual, it is important to take pictures of the switchroom:

- Overview picture of the switchroom to show where to locate the additional panel (if needed)
- Picture of the name plate of the MSB that we want to terminate to (it should NOT be the
Emergency Board)

Example of switchroom where there is space for an additional panel

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2.10. Cable Routing

Once the inverters, ACDB locations and switchroom have been chosen, it is important to think of how
can the DC cables run from the PV modules to the inverters as well as the AC cables from the inverters
to ACDB and switchroom.

Ask yourself the following questions:

- Is there an existing cable routing that can be followed?
- If yes, is there an available trunking that can be utilized or do we need to install our own?
- What would be the approximated distance on which the cables will be running? (this
information will be used for the design stage as well as for the costing)

Take pictures all along the eventual cable routing to substantiate.

Three types of cable support products can be used: cable trunking, cable tray and cable ladder.

The cable trunking can be used indoor or outdoor and is composed of 2 U-shape structures bolted
together. It is usually smaller and hence, can transport a lesser volume of cables than the two other
support products but is useful when the cables need to be hidden and/or covered.

In the case of the cable tray and cable ladder, the cables lay on the metallic tray/ladder with no cover on
top of it. They are usually larger than cable trunks and often used in switchrooms where there is no
need to hide the cables. The cable ladder is a bigger version of the cable tray and can support a higher
volume of cables.

Example of cable ladder

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Example of cable trunking

Example of cable tray

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3. How to keep track of the site survey findings?

It is important to keep track of what has been seen during the site survey. To do so, a project plan can
be a useful tool. It should contain information such as:
- Project schedule
- Pictures to show how do we intend to develop every step described in 2.
- Overview diagram of the site that summarizes all the necessary information

The person looking at the project plan should be able to visualize where the materials will be
stored/installed, how the cables will be running etc.

By capturing pictures and creating diagrams, it is easy to remember of what has been seen during the
first site survey, what is left to check for the subsequent ones and what subjects need to be validated
with the customer. The document should be dynamic and updated at each site survey / meeting with
the customer.

Example of overview diagram

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Example of diagram representing inverters/ACDB location and cable routing

Example of diagram representing Material Holding Area

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Example of diagram representing Hoisting method using a crane

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