Understand the property behind the score.
The solar score summarizes the modeled potential of the recommended panel layout. The supporting measurements help your team understand the opportunity and identify questions for a closer assessment. A roof’s maximum panel capacity is useful context, but it may be larger than the system a household would need.
- Expected production: review how much electricity the recommended system is estimated to generate.
- Sun exposure: consider the available sunlight and how it varies across the proposed panel locations.
- Roof complexity: see how the suggested panels are distributed across the roof and what an installer may need to review.
- Estimated energy coverage: understand how the suggested system relates to modeled household electricity needs.
Read the outcome before ranking the totals.
The screening outcome identifies issues such as existing solar, a roof needing review, or limited solar potential. Start with that outcome and its explanation before using the score to prioritize a list.
A promising score does not resolve every question about a property. Read the evidence confidence and any review notes. Roof obstructions, uncertain imagery, or conditions that have changed since the image was captured can all require further investigation.
Understand what “usage” means in the comparison.
LeadAnalyze estimates annual electricity use from available property characteristics and reference data. A result may instead use typical usage when property-specific evidence is limited. These figures are modeled estimates, not the household’s actual meter reading.
Use the estimated usage and energy coverage to frame an initial conversation. Confirm actual consumption, rate plans, and expected changes before relying on a system recommendation. Payback is a separate financial estimate; review its assumptions alongside the property evidence.
Inspect where the selected panels would go.
Review the suggested panel count, the roof planes involved, and estimated annual production. Two homes with similar roof sizes can have very different opportunities because their roof shapes, orientations, and shading differ.
Sun-exposure indicators describe modeled conditions around the proposed panels. They are not a measured tree-cover or shade percentage. For a home surrounded by trees, review the available roof evidence and verify current conditions before preparing an installation proposal.
Keep missing evidence separate from a low score.
When there is not enough evidence to support a complete score, the score is unavailable. That is different from a property with clear evidence of poor solar potential. Read the available measurements and the explanation of what needs review.
Check the evidence date and image assessment. Buildings, trees, and installations can change after imagery was captured. Evidence confidence is separate from the numerical score: a productive modeled layout can still require a current-condition check.
Compare results using the same scoring model.
Previously saved results retain their original scores and are identified as using the previous model. Compare results from the same scoring model when ranking a list, and consider the analysis date alongside the evidence.
The score is a preliminary screening aid and has not been calibrated against field-verified installations. Inspect stronger and weaker examples, record what site assessments reveal, and use those findings to refine your review process. The score does not guarantee an appointment, installation, or financial return.