Preliminary
☐ Siting: Review property lines, shading, setbacks, right-of-ways, or easements; and check for underground utilities.
☐ Civil engineering: Will grading, storm water runoff mitigation, or environmental reviews be needed? Check with local permitting, planning, and inspection agencies.
☐ Site access: Is the site accessible to heavy construction machinery if needed?
☐ Accessibility: Will the array need fencing for security from theft and/or animals, and to comply with NEC 690.31A? Be sure there is sufficient space so the fence will not shade the array.
Design
☐ Site-specific info: Catalog wind speed, snow loads, soil conditions, etc.
☐ Electrical interconnection: Determine distance and route to the interconnection point, and placement of electrical equipment including combiner boxes, disconnects, inverters, and other BOS components.
☐ Orientation: Choose a tilt for the array that balances maximizing production and maximizing usage of the area (steeper tilts mean rows of modules must be further apart due to interrow shading).
☐ Height: Consider snow buildup and vegetation growth to determine the minimum height to the array’s lower edge.
☐ Layout: For multiple rows, plan spacing according to shading calculations, access requirements, and trenching routes.
☐ Maintenance: Plan for dealing with vegetation growth and access to the modules for cleaning.
