Civil engineering and structural engineering team at Vector Engineers discussing commercial site development plans, grading and drainage design, stormwater management, and infrastructure coordination for construction projects in the western United States.

Solar Panel Installation Design: Quick Turnaround Time Is Key To Success

Prompt project turn-around time in the solar industry helps the property owner, solar installation company, and engineer succeed. Reducing the time from when the solar system is sold to having the system installed improves revenue opportunities and marketability with clients. One step in that process is the structural review.

Below are three recommendations that can improve the turn-around time for the structural review portion of solar panel installation process.

Site Surveys

A key element in reducing the structural engineering turnaround time is receiving a thorough site survey. Requests for additional information ultimately results in delays and potentially additional site visits. Vector has developed multiple site survey forms to aid in obtaining the appropriate information for commercial and residential solar projects. Both printable and electronic site surveys can be found on Vector’s website at vectorsolar.com/get-started/forms/.

Even if you don’t use Vector’s site surveys, they are recommended resources worth reviewing for you to know what information is needed by Vector to minimize delays in the engineering review due to lacking information. Vector will be able to provide improved turn-around times when provided with complete site survey information at the start of the project.

Photos

The adage that “a picture is worth a thousand words” applies to the ability of the structural engineer to quickly evaluate a structure.

Photos allow the engineer to confirm the roof framing information from the site survey or plans, and also provide valuable information about the condition of the structure that allow the engineer to evaluate if there are any concerns within the structure that need to be addressed.

Providing photos will prevent delays resulting from the engineer asking for more information or clarification. For these reasons, Vector strongly recommends photos be provided of both the exterior and interior of the structure for each project.

Stream-lined Workflow Process

The ability to effectively communicate and transfer information is critical to moving projects forward and meeting deadlines. For that reason, Vector has created an optional online portal. This portal allows Vector’s clients to create new jobs, upload the files needed for the structural review, quickly communicate with Vector, track the status of their project, receive back the stamped structural letter, and pay for completed projects.

Internally, this has decreases turn-around times for Vector as information is provided in a uniform manner and projects are automatically setup and promptly assigned to a project manager. Once the structural review is completed, the stamped engineering documents are instantly available for download on the portal as well as being sent out by email. More information about Vector’s online portal can be found at www.vectorsolar.com/portal.

Our team of licensed structural engineers takes pride in serving all our clients with exceptional quality, speed, and customer satisfaction.

At Vector Engineers our goal is to solve solar installation challenges before installation begins. If you’re looking to expand vertically with innovative rooftop designs, call (801) 306-0049 now for a free quote!

Contact Us


Civil Engineering Services Now Available at Vector Engineers for Commercial and Residential Site Development

Vector Engineers has built its reputation on responsive structural engineering services for commercial, residential, industrial, solar, telecom, and specialty projects across all 50 states and parts of Canada for over 20 years.

Now, we are expanding our capabilities with the launch of our new Civil Engineering division, providing site development and infrastructure design services throughout the western United States.

For architects, developers, and contractors, this means fewer consultants to manage and better coordination between site and structural design from the beginning of a project.

To lead this expansion, we recently welcomed Morgan Sandberg to the Vector team. Morgan joins us from Keller Associates and brings extensive experience in commercial site development, grading and drainage design, utility coordination, stormwater management, and permitting support.

Our civil engineering services include:

  • Site planning and layout
  • Grading and drainage design
  • Stormwater management
  • Roadway and parking lot design
  • Utility design for water, sewer, and storm systems
  • Coordination with local jurisdictions and permitting agencies

By offering both structural and civil engineering services, we can help clients simplify communication, reduce coordination issues between multiple firms, and keep projects moving more efficiently through design, permitting, and construction.

“If structural engineering focuses on how a building stands, civil engineering focuses on how the entire property functions,” said Morgan. “Before construction even begins, civil engineering helps determine where the building sits on the site, how vehicles access the property, where utilities connect, how drainage is handled, and how the project moves through permitting.”

For contractors and architects, those early site decisions can directly impact project schedules, permitting timelines, construction costs, and long-term functionality.

Civil engineering and structural engineering team at Vector Engineers discussing commercial site development plans, grading and drainage design, stormwater management, and infrastructure coordination for construction projects in the western United States.

Civil engineering helps answer key questions early in the development process:

  • Where should the building sit on the property?
  • How will stormwater and drainage be managed?
  • Where should parking lots and drive aisles be located?
  • How can utilities connect efficiently to city systems?
  • How can the site be designed to meet local requirements while remaining practical to build?
  • How can we use existing topography to create an aesthetically pleasing design, and minimize earthwork?

Our new civil engineering division will primarily support commercial developments throughout the western states, while also assisting residential projects that require site planning, grading, drainage, utility coordination, or permitting support.

"Structural and civil engineering often work hand-in-hand. One designs the structure; the other ensures all plans and designs result in a site that is functional, buildable, and compliant. Bringing both together under one roof creates a much smoother process for our clients and helps reduce unnecessary coordination between multiple firms," Morgan explained.

This integrated approach allows our team to identify issues earlier, improve communication across disciplines, reduce costly revisions, and help projects move from concept to construction with fewer delays.

As Vector continues to grow, our focus remains the same: responsive service, practical engineering solutions, and helping clients solve construction challenges before construction begins.

If you are planning a commercial or residential development project and need coordinated structural and civil engineering services, our team is ready to help.

See Our Locations

info@vectorse.com