Build a twelve-month baseline
Gather bills covering a complete year, including the rate schedule and demand charges. Ask for interval data where available. A monthly total describes the size of the load; interval data reveals when it occurs.
Connect the meter to the building
Confirm who owns the building, controls the roof and pays the utility. Record roof age, planned replacement, equipment access and obvious shading. Parking areas may create another option, but canopies bring different engineering and construction requirements.
Model timing before savings
Solar output and demand do not always coincide. A useful model distinguishes on-site consumption from exports and applies the actual utility tariff. Storage should have a defined role rather than being included by default.
Treat incentives as a separate review
Federal eligibility depends on project facts and current rules, including timing and other requirements. Verify the rules with qualified tax counsel before including any benefit in an investment decision. A generic percentage is not a project analysis.
Prepare for the first conversation
Bring twelve months of bills, the property address, an ownership summary and your planned holding period. Add your priorities: operating cost, backup, future EV loads or a broader capital strategy.
Further reading
U.S. Department of Energy — Solar and storage basics ↗