WHAT IS A DESKTOP REPORT
Remote Assessment.
Engineering-Grade Output.
A desktop structural report is a remote assessment of a building's suitability for commercial solar PV, produced by a qualified structural engineer from client-provided data. No site visit required. Every report concludes with a clear pass, conditional pass or fail determination — supported by Eurocode-verified load calculations and a written engineering narrative. Every report satisfies MIS 3002 Section 5.9 and is accepted by MCS certification bodies, lenders and DNOs.
Conditional passes define specific next steps so your programme never stalls. Where an on-site survey is required, we flag this on delivery and schedule priority engineer deployment.
SCOPE GUIDANCE
Desktop is Sufficient When…
- Standard construction — steel frame, concrete, brick
- Clear roof geometry and known orientation
- No known asbestos or structural modification history
- EPC certificate and planning records available
- Building age and type within Eurocode reference range
- No high-risk construction typologies identified
On-Site Survey Required When…
- ✕Non-standard or complex construction typology
- ✕Known asbestos or ACM roofing present
- ✕Previous structural alterations or unknown modifications
- ✕Lender or funder specifically requires physical sign-off
- ✕Visible roof condition concerns flagged from imagery
ASSESSMENT SCOPE
What We Assess.
What You Receive.
Structural Load Verification
Dead loads, snow loading, wind uplift and imposed PV panel loads calculated and verified against Eurocodes and BS 6399. Pass, conditional or fail determination issued on structural grounds.
Roof Geometry & Orientation
Roof pitch, orientation, area and obstruction analysis assessed for PV layout viability. Shading, access and H&S constraints factored into the engineering determination.
Construction Type Assessment
Building frame type, roof construction and structural characteristics assessed to determine whether desktop clearance is sufficient or a site survey is required.
Risk Identification
Risk factors — asbestos, non-standard construction, planning constraints — identified and assessed for their impact on solar PV suitability and programme timeline.
Engineering Narrative
Every report includes a written narrative explaining the structural determination. Where conditional action is required, next steps are clearly defined — satisfying MIS 3002 Section 5.9.
Pass / Conditional / Fail
A definitive three-way determination. Every report concludes with a clear engineering decision your team can act on immediately — accepted by MCS bodies, lenders and DNOs.
Engineering Determination
Clear pass, conditional pass or fail — supported by a written engineering narrative explaining the basis for the determination in plain language.
Load Calculations
Eurocode and BS-standard load calculations covering dead loads, snow loading, wind uplift and PV-specific imposed loads — the full structural basis for the determination.
Construction Assessment
Roof construction type, building frame classification and structural characteristics documented and assessed for solar PV installation suitability.
Risk & Constraint Flags
Known risk factors clearly flagged with guidance on how each affects installation suitability and programme planning.
Conditional Next Steps
Where a conditional pass is issued, specific conditions and defined next actions are clearly set out so your programme does not stall.
Engineer-Signed Output
Every report carries the sign-off of the structural engineer who produced it — accepted by lenders, DNOs and planning authorities.
FAST REPORT PROGRAMME
Built for High-Volume Pipelines.
48-Hour Delivery. Any Batch Size.
Our FAST REPORT programme is designed for PPA providers, asset managers and EPC contractors clearing large pre-construction portfolios. Submit batch instructions of any size — engineer-signed reports delivered within 48 hours, with a programme summary and escalation flags on every batch. We handle 2,000+ instructions per month without backlog accumulation.
WHAT YOU GET
- ✓Engineer-signed report per site — Pass, Conditional Pass or Fail
- ✓Eurocode and BS-standard load calculations included in every output
- ✓Batch programme summary with escalation flags on delivery
- ✓Accepted by MCS certification bodies, lenders and DNOs
- ✓Named engineer sign-off and consistent format across every batch
Submit by email or via our secure portal — a programme manager is assigned to every batch.
HOW IT WORKS
Instruction to Report.
Four Steps. 48 Hours.
Instruction
Submit a site address or batch programme. No drawings required at this stage.
Document Submission
PIBI form, solar shade reports, PV layout, mounting system design, panel datasheet and any available site photos.
Engineering Analysis
Qualified structural engineer performs Eurocode load calculations, assesses construction type and risk factors, produces the report.
Report Delivery
Engineer-signed report within 48 hours. Batch programmes include a programme summary and escalation flags for any sites requiring on-site follow-up.
WHO THIS IS FOR
Built for High-Volume Pipelines.
Available to Everyone.
Built for High-Volume Pipelines
Our FAST REPORT programme integrates directly into your pre-construction workflow — batch submissions, 48-hour delivery benchmark and zero backlog accumulation at any volume. A programme manager is assigned to every batch with a single point of contact throughout.
How we work with PPA Providers →Portfolio Triage Before On-Site Commitment
Desktop reports give you a rapid, engineer-backed structural picture across every site in your portfolio before committing to on-site survey costs — identifying which assets need further diligence and which can proceed to design immediately.
How we work with Asset Managers →Structural Clearance for Design Sign-Off
Engineer-signed desktop structural reports for commercial properties where a full on-site survey isn’t required. Delivers the structural documentation your design programme and funder require — fast, with consistent formatting across every site in your batch.
How we work with EPC Contractors →Structural Sign-Off Before You Commit
Structural clearance before committing installation resource to a commercial property. Desktop reports deliver engineer-reviewed documentation that satisfies MIS 3002 requirements without requiring a site visit — so your programme keeps moving.
How we work with Solar Installers →"We were running a 200-site pre-construction programme across the south of England and couldn't find a firm that could keep pace. Solar Surveys turned around 80 desktop reports in a single week without missing a single 48-hour window. Their conditional pass process also meant we avoided commissioning unnecessary site surveys — saving us a significant amount of programme cost."
Commission a Desktop Report.
Delivered Within 48 Hours.
Send us the site address. No drawings required. Our engineers will assess structural suitability and deliver a full report within 48 hours — at any volume.