Master a solar site audit
Map where useful sunlight lasts.
Before you begin
Read the instructions without joining. A signed-in profile lets you save private observations and learning progress.
Gather your supplies
- Two safe outdoor observation points
- Clock or phone timer
- Notebook, compass app optional and weather notes
Use what you have. Purchases are optional and do not affect rewards.
Care and safety
Stay at ground level in a safe, permitted area. Never climb a roof or look directly at the sun.
Prerequisite: Hold the heat
This activity builds on the prerequisite. Sign in with your profile to check your completion record.
The experiment
Solar resource depends on time, orientation, weather and shade. A site audit connects energy capture and retention to a practical location decision.
- 01
Choose two possible solar-use locations. Sketch nearby buildings, trees and other sources of shade without entering roofs or restricted areas.
- 02
Observe both sites at three or more matched times. Record whether each is in direct sun and the minutes of direct sun between checks.
- 03
Repeat on a second day at least 24 hours later. Record clouds and any moving or seasonal shade limitations.
- 04
Combine your solar-heat, insulation and site evidence into a recommendation. State what your short audit cannot predict about other seasons.