--- title: "Solar Feasibility Study Checklist for C&I — SOLINK" description: "The checks a credible commercial solar feasibility study should cover, from tariff and yield modelling to structural, permitting and grid constraints." lang: en-ZA json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "@id": "https://solink.co.za/resource-hub/solar-feasibility-study-checklist#article", "headline": "The Solar Feasibility Study Checklist: What a Real Assessment Covers", "description": "Before any commercial solar project is procured, a proper feasibility study must answer twelve questions. 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[Home](/) 2. [Resource Hub](/resource-hub) 3. The Solar Feasibility Study Checklist: What a Real Assessment Covers [← Back to Resource Hub](/resource-hub) # The Solar Feasibility Study Checklist: What a Real Assessment Covers 10 July 2026 · SOLINK ![The Solar Feasibility Study Checklist: What a Real Assessment Covers](/__l5e/assets-v1/4ec982ff-1941-4eb1-b82a-c881351e3b18/2024_11_Feasibility-Analysis-1200.webp) A commercial solar project lives or dies on the quality of its feasibility study. Get the feasibility right and every subsequent decision — technology selection, funder engagement, EPC tender, contract structure — has a solid foundation. Get it wrong or skip steps, and issues surface at commissioning that could have been caught for a fraction of the cost at the desktop stage. This is the checklist SOLINK uses on every commercial and industrial feasibility assessment. Use it to interrogate any feasibility report you receive from a solar EPC or funder. ## **1\. Verified Consumption Profile** Twelve months of half-hourly (or at minimum monthly) consumption data — not an annual total. Without this, no honest yield or offset analysis is possible. ## **2\. Tariff Analysis** The current tariff must be broken down into energy, demand, network access, admin and fixed components — with each component's likely trajectory over the next five to ten years modelled explicitly. ## **3\. Roof or Land Suitability** Structural capacity assessment for rooftop projects (asbestos, IBR gauge, purlin spacing, age); geotechnical, drainage and access review for ground-mount. Both include shading modelling from surrounding structures, vegetation and terrain. ## **4\. Grid Connection Constraints** Confirmation of the existing supply capacity, the notified maximum demand, and the network operator's willingness to accept embedded generation at the required capacity. Grid unavailability is the fastest-growing project killer in South Africa. ## **5\. Yield Modelling** A production simulation (PVsyst or equivalent) using site-specific solar resource data — not national averages. Include soiling, shading, inverter clipping, temperature derating and degradation over the plant's economic life. ## **6\. Business Case & Tariff Escalation Modelling** The financial model must be sensitivity-tested against multiple Eskom / municipal tariff scenarios, discount rates, and O&M assumptions. A single-point IRR is not a business case; a range is. ## **7\. Structural, Fire & Insurance Review** Coordination with the site's insurer is often the step that gets skipped — and then blocks the project at commissioning. Include fire suppression, cable routing, rooftop access and insurance liaison. ## **8\. Environmental & Permitting Assessment** Environmental screening (Basic Assessment or full EIA where triggered), municipal building plan requirements, NERSA registration path, and where relevant, aviation glint & glare screening. ## **9\. BESS Sizing Sensitivity** Even if BESS is not initially in scope, the feasibility should quantify the incremental value of a right-sized battery for peak demand reduction. Many commercial sites unlock 30% more savings by pairing solar with storage. ## **10\. Funding Structure Options** Own & finance, PPA, lease, or solar asset refinancing (for existing assets). Each has a different balance-sheet, tax and cash-flow profile and should be compared on a like-for-like basis. ## **11\. Tax Structuring** Section 12B modelling based on the actual asset commissioning window and ownership structure — plus interaction with any capex allowances or investment incentives already claimed. ## **12\. Risk Register & Recommendation** A ranked risk register (technical, commercial, regulatory) with mitigation cost estimates. A recommendation that is actually a recommendation — not a menu of options. ## **How to Use This Checklist** If any feasibility study you receive omits four or more of the twelve items above, it is not a feasibility study — it is a sales document. SOLINK conducts independent feasibility assessments that cover every point on this list. Get in touch to request one for your site. How SOLINK helps ## Put this into practice Independent, installer-neutral support for the work described above — and the sector guidance that goes with it. - ### [Solar feasibility analysis & site assessment](/services/feasibility-analysis) Tariff analysis, yield modelling and an independent business case before you commit capital. - ### [Solar EPC procurement & tender management](/services/epc-procurement) Pre-qualified bidders, a technology-agnostic RFP and like-for-like evaluation of every quote. - ### [Solar & BESS for warehousing and logistics](/industries/warehousing-logistics) Distribution centres and warehouses converting large roof areas into cheaper daytime power. Keep reading ## Related articles [View all →](/resource-hub) [ ![CAA Glint & Glare Compliance — What Every Solar Developer Needs to Know](/__l5e/assets-v1/ba86717d-901e-461a-9fe6-b9f73a5759e6/glint-and-glare-1000.webp) 10 July 2026 ### CAA Glint & Glare Compliance — What Every Solar Developer Needs to Know The South African Civil Aviation Authority requires a glint & glare assessment for any solar project within specified proximity to an airport or airstrip. Here's when it's required, what the assessment involves, and how to avoid costly redesigns. ](/resource-hub/caa-glint-and-glare-compliance-requirements)[ ![Section 12BA Recoupment: What Solar Sellers Must Model First](/__l5e/assets-v1/ef1ad60b-0d3b-4de1-ba03-f0c43594fa6a/solink-section-12ba-recoupment-south-africa-1600.webp) 28 August 2026 ### Section 12BA Recoupment: What Solar Sellers Must Model First Section 12BA recoupment rules in South Africa determine how much of the enhanced 125 percent renewable energy allowance is added back to income when a solar asset is sold — model it before you sign. ](/resource-hub/section-12ba-recoupment-solar-south-africa)[ ![Already Own Solar? Turn Your System Into Working Capital](/__l5e/assets-v1/1e0a2d62-d767-4253-850c-5db90a4eea27/solink-renewable-energy-partnership-agreement-1600.webp) 10 July 2026 ### Already Own Solar? Turn Your System Into Working Capital Sell your operating solar system to a specialist funder, keep the savings via a below-grid PPA, and free up working capital. Here's how SOLINK's sale-and-PPA refinancing model works — and why it means you never have to manage a solar plant again. ](/resource-hub/already-own-solar-turn-your-system-into-working-capital) Newsletter ## Renewable energy insights, straight to your inbox Independent commentary on solar, BESS, wheeled energy and the South African electricity market. Subscribe I agree to receive marketing communications from SOLINK. You can unsubscribe at any time. SOLINK South Africa's independent renewable energy consultant, project developer and facilitator — engineering bankable solar, BESS and wheeled energy solutions for commercial and industrial businesses. 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