Commercial solar in Siliguri: assess the site before the business case

Build a load picture for the business

Collect bills showing actual kWh, tariff category, sanctioned load and recorded demand where available. Add operating hours, holidays, seasonal closures and shift patterns. Share interval consumption records if you have them. An office, shop, hotel or workshop in Siliguri should be assessed on its own electricity use, not assigned a standard package because another business installed one.

Separate daytime demand from night use

Identify equipment that runs during daylight and equipment that mainly runs after dark. Note refrigeration, pumps, cooling, machinery and any loads that cycle rather than run continuously. Ask the proposal to distinguish direct solar use, grid imports and possible exports. For night-heavy operations, require an explanation of how the proposed design matches that pattern without assuming storage is automatically worthwhile.

For another way to think about daytime operations, explore the warehouse solar planning brief ↗

Use the actual commercial tariff

Ask the assessor to work from the tariff and charges on your business connection. Have energy charges, demand charges and other bill items shown separately. Require a clear explanation of which charges the model assumes will change and why. Do not assume solar removes demand charges or every fixed bill component. Exclude household subsidy assumptions from the commercial assessment.

Treat the roof as a separate decision

Roof condition, available space and shade are relevant technical considerations in solar planning.[2] That source provides general guidance, not commercial approval rules for West Bengal. For your premises, establish ownership, lease permissions, access and planned repairs. Ask qualified professionals to review structural suitability, drainage and installation methods. Include roof replacement plans and business access restrictions before approving a layout.

Assign utility and site responsibilities

WBSEDCL publishes rooftop solar application information for its consumers.[1] Confirm the distributor serving the premises and obtain the process applicable to the actual commercial connection. Record who handles applications, metering coordination and inspections. Agree any electrical shutdown with the site manager. Keep generator operation, critical loads and outage backup as explicit engineering questions rather than assumed benefits of solar panels.

Ask for a transparent investment comparison

Request the equipment schedule, installation scope, roof work, electrical changes, maintenance responsibilities and exclusions. Any financial model should identify its tariff inputs, consumption data and energy-estimate assumptions. Ask what happens if operating hours change or the premises are vacated. Request an equipment and workmanship warranty split, fault-reporting process and handover records. Avoid approving a proposal solely on a headline savings or payback claim.

Ready to organise the next discussion? Explore business solar assessment ↗