A solar consultation is an initial evaluation where a solar provider reviews your home, energy usage, and goals to determine whether solar is a good fit and what type of system may work best.

Consultations are typically designed to give homeowners a clearer understanding of how solar could work for their specific property and energy needs.

What happens during a solar consultation

During a solar consultation, a provider gathers information about your home and electricity usage to assess system design options.

This may include:

• Reviewing recent electricity bills to understand energy usage

• Evaluating your roof, shading, and available space

• Discussing your energy goals

• Identifying potential system configurations

The goal is to build a general picture of how a solar system could be designed for your home. To prepare for a solar consultation, follow these steps prior to your appointment.

How solar consultations work today

Solar consultations are often conducted remotely using digital tools, though some may still include in-person evaluations depending on the provider and location.

Modern consultations may use satellite imagery, mapping tools, and energy modeling software to estimate system performance and layout. U.S. Department of Energy resources note that solar design tools commonly rely on site data such as roof orientation, shading, and local solar conditions to evaluate system potential.

This allows providers to assess many homes more flexibly and conveniently, without needing an initial on-site visit.

What you learn from a solar consultation

A solar consultation typically provides a high-level overview of what a solar system could look like for your home.

This may include:

• Estimated system size and layout

• How the system would connect to your home

• General expectations for energy production

• Available options for system design or configuration

These details may vary.

Solar consultations and system design

The consultation is often the first step in the broader solar design process.

If you move forward, additional steps will include:

• Detailed engineering and permitting

• Equipment selection and final system design

• Installation planning and scheduling

Solar consultations and monitoring tools

Some providers may also explain how system monitoring works during the consultation process, including how homeowners can track performance after installation.

For example, in systems supported by Sunrun, homeowners can use the Sunrun app to monitor energy production and system status once the system is installed, providing ongoing visibility into performance.

Why a solar consultation is important

A solar consultation helps ensure that a system is tailored to your home’s conditions and your energy needs.

Because every home is different, factors like roof layout, shading, and electricity usage can significantly influence system design. Evaluating these factors early helps set clear expectations for how a solar system may perform over time.

Takeaway

A solar consultation is the first step in exploring solar for your home. It provides a personalized evaluation of your property and energy needs, helping determine what type of system may be appropriate and how it could be designed.