Planning diagram. Examples and assumptions are explained below.
In this guide
Assess shading for the months when the cabin needs power, not just the day you visit. Give the solar designer the roof geometry, surrounding obstructions and seasonal occupancy pattern.
A summer photograph is only one observation
Record the date, time and direction of each photograph. Note nearby trees, ridgelines, buildings and the proposed panel area. Photographs help describe the site, but a professional solar-access assessment is needed to quantify the effect across the year.
Your Home's rooftop-solar guidance identifies shading and array orientation as design factors. Its southern-hemisphere orientation examples need to be interpreted for the actual location.
Compare the site with the load pattern
An off-grid cabin used mainly in winter needs a different assessment from a summer-only retreat. Ask for monthly generation estimates and their assumptions. An annual total can hide the period that matters most.
| Record | Detail to capture |
|---|---|
| Proposed array location | Roof face or ground area |
| Obstruction | Tree, ridge, building or roof feature |
| Observation | Date, time and approximate direction |
| Occupancy | Months and days the cabin is used |
| Electrical need | Essential loads and expected daily energy |
Do not assume an optimizer or microinverter removes all shading losses. Ask the designer to show the modeled outcome for the actual configuration.
Compare two locations honestly
Suppose the cabin roof has an attractive clear patch in summer but a ridge obstructs low winter sun. A proposed ground array may have different solar access while introducing cable routes, land-use questions and maintenance needs.
Compare both locations using the same weather data, equipment assumptions and load profile. Keep installation cost, access and any local approval requirements alongside the energy estimate.
Preserve future access and evidence
Ask who can inspect and maintain the chosen array safely. Record whether tree growth or planned construction could change shading. Do not remove trees solely from a photograph; check ownership, site constraints and applicable permissions first.
Save the assessment, layout and assumptions in the project checklist. Use the winter solar guide to frame the seasonal question and the off-grid load list to define demand. The aim is a site-specific comparison that makes its uncertain inputs visible.