Choosing a commercial solar delivery partner is one of the most important decisions in your decarbonisation journey. With installation timelines of 12-16 weeks and systems designed to last for 25 years or more, getting it right from the start matters. In this blog, Mike Wilde, our Operations Manager with 20 years of experience in the industry, discusses the qualities clients should look for in a solar delivery partner.
At Lynx Sustainable Solutions, we maintain a 99% on-time delivery rate across our projects. This is the result of deliberate processes, integrated teams, and relentless attention to detail. Whether you’re an asset manager evaluating proposals for a retail park installation or an owner-occupier planning a multi-site rollout, understanding what differentiates the best delivery partners can save significant time, money, and frustration.
1. Integrated Design and Installation Teams
The most successful solar installations occur when design and delivery teams work seamlessly together, rather than as separate entities passing drawings back and forth.
When design teams operate independently of installation teams, problems inevitably arise on-site. Systems might look optimal on paper but prove impractical to install. We’ve seen projects where designs arrived from external consultancies without proper coordination, resulting in systems positioned too close to roof lights, scaffolding specifications that don’t align with building parameters, or panel layouts that compromise power generation efficiency.
When our in-house designers develop a system specification, they have direct input from our electrical contracts manager, operations, and our installation team. This collaboration ensures that our designs are both technically sound and practically executable. It also means that any obvious issues are ironed out before we arrive on-site, which helps maintain the delivery programme.
What to ask your solar delivery partner: Do your design and installation teams work together during planning? Who reviews designs before finalisation, and do they have practical installation experience?
2. Providers Who Listen and Adapt to Site-Specific Requirements
Every commercial property has unique operational constraints. The best solar delivery partners will work closely with the client to adapt, design, and install systems that fit their needs.
Standard site surveys primarily focus on technical factors, including roof condition, electrical capacity, and structural loading. But what about security protocols, delivery schedules, restricted access times, or tenant requirements? These questions matter because they directly affect installation logistics and timeline planning.
Consider a major distribution centre we work with where mobile phones aren’t permitted on site. Bringing one in requires a 20–30-minute security process. We identified this issue during the initial assessment and adjusted our processes accordingly by planning communication windows and incorporating extra time into daily routines. The result? No delays, no frustrated installers, and no security breaches.
Another example is a Premier League football club’s training facility, where training sessions take priority. For two hours each day, all work must stop, but the specific timing varies and isn’t confirmed until the day itself. Understanding this upfront allowed us to plan realistically and factor standby time into our programme.
Complex Sites Require Specialist Understanding
Some projects demand an even higher level of security awareness and risk management. We’ve delivered installations across multiple military bases where heightened security protocols, rigorous vetting procedures, and unique operational hazards require meticulous planning. Working around tanks, heavy machinery, and live fire ammunition zones introduces risks that don’t exist on standard commercial sites.
These environments require installation teams who understand not only solar installation, but also the specific safety protocols and clearance requirements that military operations demand. Getting security clearance wrong or failing to coordinate with base operations isn’t just inconvenient; it can halt projects entirely and compromise site safety.
What to ask your solar delivery partner: How do you identify site-specific operational constraints? Can you give examples of unusual site requirements you’ve accommodated?
3. Attention to Installation Detail and Quality Standards
Excellent solar installations are the result of meticulous attention to detail at every stage. The difference between a system that performs reliably for 25 years or more and one that underperforms often comes down to seemingly small installation details.
Here’s something many clients don’t realise: CAD drawings show where a system goes on your roof, but manufacturer specifications detail precisely how panels should be mounted. This distinction is critical for ensuring a seamless installation and warranty compliance.
We instruct every installation team to verify the roof dimensions upon arrival and then install according to the manufacturer’s details, not just our drawings. High standards are evident in components that most clients never see, such as proper clamp installation with correct torque settings, secure cable management that prevents chafing and arc faults, correct weatherproofing and flashing, and proper grounding that exceeds minimum compliance. Having a module clamp located in the wrong place along a module frame can significantly reduce the module’s structural integrity, potentially leading to glass breakage.
Our pre-installation survey includes roof measurement confirmation, material inspection, review of manufacturer specifications, and verification of wind loading. We also maintain rigorous governance over product specifications, working exclusively with manufacturers proven globally who have robust technical support infrastructure within the UK market. These strong partnerships enable us to deliver optimal solutions backed by reliable long-term support. This front-end work catches problems early when they’re easy to fix, not after installation when they’re expensive to correct.
What to ask your solar delivery partner: How do you ensure that installation teams follow manufacturer specifications so that the warranty remains valid? What quality checks happen before, during, and after installation?
4. Clear Communication Protocols Throughout the Project
Open, honest communication is the foundation of successful project delivery. The best solar partners maintain consistent, transparent dialogue throughout every project phase.
Different stakeholders need different information at different frequencies. For large portfolio projects, we hold formal meetings every two weeks. For medium-sized projects, site managers provide weekly updates. For occupied buildings with tenants, daily touchpoints with facility managers ensure minimal operational disruption.
Our communication philosophy is to be open and honest from the outset. Don’t hide problems hoping they’ll resolve themselves. If there’s a constraint, we flag it early. If there’s a potential delay, we communicate immediately. Transparency is a cornerstone of how we deliver projects, resulting in a high level of client satisfaction and trust. That’s why we are the go-to partner for many clients with multi-site operations.
When unexpected issues arise (equipment delays, weather impacts, hidden structural problems), our process is immediate assessment, solution development, stakeholder communication, and documented decisions. This structured approach prevents panic, maintains progress, and keeps everyone aligned.
What to ask your solar delivery partner: What are your standard communication touchpoints throughout a project? How do you handle communication when unexpected issues arise?
5. Detailed Project Sequencing and Contingency Planning
Realistic project planning is the foundation of on-time delivery. The best solar partners develop detailed sequences that account for dependencies, potential disruptions, and real-world constraints.
For all projects, we develop comprehensive plans that detail every activity, including site setup, traffic management, scaffold erection, material deliveries, installation sequences, testing protocols, and commissioning steps. These plans are shared with clients and subcontractors, fostering a sense of shared accountability.
Sometimes the standard sequence doesn’t always work. Site conditions change. The good old British weather intervenes. The difference between providers who maintain a programme and those who don’t lies in adaptive thinking. When the original plan can’t proceed, can we change the sequence of activities? Can we run some work in parallel to what was initially planned sequentially?
Experienced delivery partners also plan for contingencies by procuring components with long lead times early, maintaining crew flexibility to shift resources when issues arise, building relationships with multiple suppliers, and including strategic time buffers to absorb minor delays.
What to ask your solar delivery partner: Can you show me a detailed project plan from a similar installation? How do you identify and protect the critical path?
Buy Cheap, Buy Twice
Selecting a commercial solar delivery partner isn’t just about comparing quotes. You also need to evaluate capability, process, and partnership quality to ensure that the project will be delivered effectively and the system generates value by remaining fully operational for years to come.
Ready to discuss your commercial solar project? Contact our team to discover how our integrated approach delivers better outcomes.
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