Field guide

Solar horizon profile survey on site

A horizon profile survey helps you qualify real shading conditions directly on site and build a reliable base for solar pre-studies.

When to run a horizon profile survey

Use this mode as soon as shading uncertainty can impact the project.

  • nearby trees
  • adjacent buildings
  • marked horizon line or terrain relief
  • roof obstacles
  • cases where visual estimation is not enough

The goal is to move from assumptions to measured, documented shading constraints.

When it is not required

Not every site needs a full horizon profile capture.

  • very open site
  • simple roof geometry
  • no significant obstacle affecting solar access
  • quick pre-qualification stage

In these cases, the No Shading mode can be used for faster pre-study qualification.

What you get from the survey

  • azimuth points
  • obstacle elevation data
  • horizon profile curve
  • masked area visualization
  • initial shading loss estimate
  • usable base for exports and next analysis steps

This is not only about spotting obstacles, but about quantifying impact in a pre-study context.

How it is used after the visit

  • continue the photovoltaic pre-study
  • generate a PDF report
  • export field data
  • pass information to other study tools
  • keep a traceable site record

This keeps continuity between what was measured on site and what is used later in the project workflow.

Business value on technical site visits

On technical visits, horizon profile capture helps teams validate doubts quickly, compare options, and document constraints from day one.

FAQ

What is a solar horizon profile survey for?

It qualifies real on-site shading and estimates its impact on photovoltaic production assumptions.

When should it be used?

Whenever solar access is uncertain due to nearby obstacles or horizon constraints.

Is it needed on every site?

No. Clear, open sites can be handled first with No Shading mode.

What can be done with the data afterward?

Use it in analysis, PDF reporting, and technical exports.