If your warehouse or workshop is lit by skylights in the roof, ask for them to be shown on the same plan as the solar panels. This lets you see which roof sections will be used, whether natural light will be preserved, and how the crew will reach areas that need maintenance.
Note what each opening is used for
Give the designer any available drawings and note from inside which openings provide light to work areas, corridors, or storage areas. If an opening is also used for ventilation or smoke extraction, provide its details to the responsible engineer so its operation can be checked in the new layout. Mention any cloudy or cracked panes, signs of damp, and planned replacements from the outset.
Ask for a plan with dimensions and access routes
Check that the drawing shows the skylights, panel arrays, gutters, access points, and routes the crews will use. Ask the engineer to inspect the roof and mounting points, and to define the areas that need to be kept clear for this specific building.
An open walkway on the plan needs to be verified on site. Some translucent sheets are fragile and can be difficult to distinguish on the roof. Ask the responsible crew to plan safe access for both installation and future cleaning or repairs. For the initial discussion, drawings and photos taken from a safe location are sufficient. HSE guidance on fragile surfaces.
Check lighting and localized shading
Ask the designer to check whether the proposed panel rows will reduce the light coming through any skylight during the building’s operating hours. Also consider the reverse situation, where a raised opening casts a shadow on neighboring panels. The production estimate using the default PVGIS horizon needs to be checked against nearby obstructions on the actual roof plan. JRC documentation on the PVGIS horizon.
In a sample scenario, the additional row of panels in a proposal makes it difficult to access the skylight above the packaging area. Ask for a second layout that keeps this access clear, and compare the estimated annual output, maintenance, and roof work required for each option.
Coordinate the work before finalizing the quote
If you are planning to replace the skylights or repair the roof, agree on the sequence of work with the engineer and crews. Ask whether a translucent sheet can be replaced after installation and who will handle any panel removal and reinstallation. Guide to roof renovation with existing solar panels.
At Solar Home, we assess the available space, shading, and building details during the design process. Send us your roof plan, information about the openings, and your business’s energy bills for an initial estimate. Contact Solar Home.
