skip to main content

Renewable Energy for the Home

Evaluating a building site for solar?

9 years ago

We are considering purchasing some land, contingent on whether the site will get enough sun for a passive solar home and a vegetable garden. It's surrounded by woods, so the question is can we clear enough to make it work, or will we be in the shadow of trees outside our land's boundaries? I know there are various tools to assist with calculating sun shadows, but we want a professional to evaluate the site and give us an opinion. Any recommendations on how we find such a person? We are in southern Massachusetts. Any guidance will be much appreciated.

Sort by:Oldest

Comment (1)

Annie Deighnaugh
9 years ago
Contact one of the solar panel providers. They will be able to do an eval for you....much will how close to solar south the roof will be placed, the pitch of the roof and how high the roof is relative to the tree line and how far it will be placed from the surrounding trees.

In our area, we get a state subsidy for installing solar panels, but the subsidy is based on an analysis of how effective the panels will be given placement, shade etc. so the installers are required to provide all of this information.

This post was edited by AnnieDeighnaugh on Fri, Jun 13, 14 at 8:28
Related Professionals
Phoenix Solar Energy Systems · Little Ferry Solar Energy Systems · Payson Solar Energy Systems · Rosamond Solar Energy Systems · Shady Hills Design-Build Firms · Casa de Oro-Mount Helix Home Builders · Farmington Home Builders · McKinney Home Builders · West Hempstead Home Builders · Bixby Roofing & Gutters · Greenville Roofing & Gutters · Houston Roofing & Gutters · Blue Island Roofing & Gutters · Valley Stream Roofing & Gutters · West Orange Roofing & Gutters

Related Stories

ARCHITECTURE Building Green: How to Plan Your Site for Healthier Living

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Learn the many ways to create a more eco-friendly environment on your land

GREEN BUILDING Off the Grid: Siting and Building to Conserve Energy

By Jen Dalley //

Look to low-tech solutions for big energy savings when you’re constructing a home

GREEN BUILDING Going Solar at Home: Solar Panel Basics

By Christine Tusher

Save money on electricity and reduce your carbon footprint by installing photovoltaic panels. This guide will help you get started

GREEN BUILDING Sunlight Used Right: Modern Home Designs That Harness Solar Power

Embracing passive heating principles through their architecture, siting and more, these homes save energy without skimping on warmth

CONTEMPORARY HOMES Houzz Tour: A Sun-Soaked Solution for a Narrow Site

By Joanna Tovia

A high wall on one side and a sliver of land on the other allow ample space for a couple building their first home

GREEN BUILDING Let’s Clear Up Some Confusion About Solar Panels

By Mariana Pickering (Emu Building Science)

Different panel types do different things. If you want solar energy for your home, get the basics here first

ARCHITECTURE Architect's Toolbox: Solar-Powered Design

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

See how your home's design can take advantage of the sun's natural energy all year

GREEN BUILDING Championing the Solar House, From the 1930s to Today

Homes throughout history that have used the sun offer ideas for net-zero and passive homes of the present, in a new book by Anthony Denzer

ARCHITECTURE Design Workshop: How a Site Can Shape a Home

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Create architectural poetry by looking to a site's topography, climate, trees and more to inform the home's design

DESIGN DICTIONARY Site Plan

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Map out your home's location and terrain with this invaluable rendering

Sponsored