How Solar Contractors Can Reduce Insurance Premiums While Improving Safety
Running a solar contracting business at scale requires a lot of expenses that can add up. However, there is one big expense—insurance and
The Top 8 Roof Obstructions Solar Contractors Need To Know About
Between scheduling hassles, roof diversity, and dealing with trees, solar surveying is difficult enough as it is. Then you add roof obstructions. Often built to blend in, these obstructions are difficult to manually measure, and you need to get the 3D measurements to optimize your shading analysis. Plus, you’re climbing up on the roof unless you have a drone. On most roofs, there are eight types of obstructions to watch for. Here’s what you can do about them.
Common Roof Structure Differences Across The US (And How They Impact Solar Projects)
On top of the usual challenges like identifying roof obstructions or getting accurate shading data, you also have to manage widely varying roof structures. This article provides an overview of common roof structures, why roofs are built in specific ways and considerations you need to know as a Contractor.
The Top Gear to Help Solar Surveyors Stay Cool in the Heat
Summer is just around the corner. For solar surveyors, that means months of high temperatures and sun exposure. The Scanifly team has completed hundreds of solar surveys throughout the United States and talked to dozens of contractors in states with the hottest summers—in this article, we’re sharing the types of gear you’ll need to say cool.
How Solar Surveyors Can Become Designers (3 Steps)
Being a Surveyor is a great way to break into the solar industry because you learn all the technical elements of the project. However, it
How to Manage the Complexity of Old Electrical During Solar Surveys
For new surveyors who aren’t used to assessing electrical panels, looking at old electrics can be an unsafe and uncomfortable experience. But it doesn’t have to be. Your job as a Solar Surveyor is not to become an electrical expert; it’s to collect the right data so Designers can do their job. In order to do that, you need some background context and must know how to keep yourself safe.
6 Reasons Why Solar Contractors Can’t Eliminate Site Visits
Over half of Designers say that incorrect structural, electric, or equipment data is the leading cause of project delays or problems. Further, 81% of Surveyors believe that on-site data is better than remote data for shading analysis. Here are some key reasons why you can’t eliminate pre-install day site visits entirely.
How To Pick Trees That Won’t Shade Your Solar Panel Array
Planting new trees on any property is a great way to beautify. But it can also be a huge hassle for solar arrays. Picking trees does not need to be complicated though. Here’s a simple framework you can follow (with resources to find the right tree species for you).
The Best Ways to Pass the Time Driving Between Survey Sites
A lot of solar surveyors’ day is spent on the road. To get a better idea of how surveyors can pass the time between drive sites, Scanifly spoke to Devin Clark at Digital Mapping Consultants and Josh Abrams at Titan Solar Power. Here’s what they said were their go-to ways to pass the time.
The Top 5 Roof Obstructions You Can’t See With Satellite Imagery (But Can With Drones)
Too many people rely on satellite imagery in solar despite 91% of surveyors acknowledging it’s not perfectly accurate. While it might be tempting to use satellite imagery to make an installation plan because it appears like a faster route, missing little obstructions results in more truck rolls, redesigns, and overall time to complete the project.
Join the 1,000’s of solar pros who get curated articles, podcasts, and product updates directly to their inbox to help sharpen their skills and grow their career in solar.
