Feasibility studies: choosing projects with confidence
Project screening, site comparisons and practical reports for First Nations, businesses and property owners.
A feasibility study helps answer a practical question: which project should we pursue, and what needs to happen before we commit? Solar Associates helps identify promising options, gather the evidence, and explain the findings in a report that decision-makers can use.
1. Define the goals and identify candidate projects
We begin with your objectives, available sites, existing assets, and constraints. A candidate may be rooftop solar on a community building, a ground-mounted system, a battery energy storage system, or an upgrade to an existing installation. We help establish the purpose of each option and the decision the study needs to support.
2. Screen and compare the options
We compare opportunities using criteria agreed with your team: suitability of the site, available energy information, connection considerations, installation complexity, preliminary costs, operational needs, and readiness to proceed. This helps prioritize projects for deeper assessment and identify options that need more information.
3. Assemble the evidence
Inputs may include electricity bills, load information, roof or land records, equipment details, site observations, and discussions with the relevant parties. We identify missing information and coordinate specialist input where required. The report distinguishes confirmed information from estimates and assumptions.
4. Evaluate the practical and financial picture
We bring together the proposed scope, indicative cost inputs, production or operating assumptions, maintenance considerations, and implementation dependencies. Alternative scenarios show how changes in the assumptions could affect the outcome. Battery projects also need a clear operating purpose and assessment of the required capability.
5. Create a report that supports a decision
Typical report contents
- Executive summary and the community’s project objectives
- Candidate sites or system options and the comparison criteria
- Available data, preliminary layouts or concepts where included in scope
- Technical findings and specialist inputs
- Cost and operating assumptions, with scenario comparisons
- Risks, information gaps, approvals and implementation dependencies
- Recommended priority projects and a phased next-step plan
A recommendation with a clear reason
The outcome may be to advance a preferred project, refine the design, collect more data, or pause an option. We explain why an option is recommended and what would need to be resolved next. Your community retains the decision.
How the report helps you move forward
A well-organized study gives leadership, project partners, designers and potential funders a common starting point. It can inform a business plan, project brief, or application package. The proposal defines the study’s depth, deliverables, and any specialist work required.
Let’s establish your next step.
Share your community or organization, project location, goals, and any information already available. Solar Associates will help frame the scope for a productive initial conversation.
Discuss your project