Skip to main content

NHP: Design Package | Inputs and Deliverables

Calvin - PLR Product Ops avatar
Written by Calvin - PLR Product Ops
Updated over 2 months ago

Design Package | Inputs and Deliverables

Overview & How it Works

This article details our current design modeling criteria and deliverables expected from all approved design platforms. Following these modeling inputs is required on all LightReach sales.

Here's how it works:

Failure to follow design requirements, or intentional misuse of modeling criteria to artificially impact homeowner value propositions, may result in the termination of access to the LightReach product.

M1 Deliverables: Design Package Documents

Key Deliverables

Details

1) Production Model

Confirmation that the Inputs were set properly by the user:

  1. Production Engine

  2. Weather Dataset

  3. System Losses

  4. etc.

2) Shading Report

Only Required if any of the following conditions are met:

  • Modules cannot be places on 1 story house when a two story house is adjacent and the two story house potentially shades the mounting plane on the 1 story house.

  • Self shading from 2nd story to 1st story on same home.

  • If terrain obstructions (hills, freeways, etc.) are within 100 ft of the house.
    ​

  • Azimuth: If mounting planes utilized are north facing (300 - 89 degrees)

Confirmation that Shading was properly modeled:

  1. LiDAR/DSM Overlay

  2. Irradiance Overlay

3) Plan Set

Required pages of the Engineering Plan Set submitted to the building department:

  1. Pertinent site details (Name, Address, etc)

  2. Site Plan (Tilt, Azimuth, Module layout, etc)

  3. One Line/Three Line

  4. Engineering stamps + structural calculations as needed

  5. Equipment is on LightReach AVL

  6. Spec sheets for equipment used on site.

  7. Plans demonstrate that components are installed to manufacturer specs (IE string or branch circuit lengths for inverters, min/max overcurrent amperage limits, etc)

Examples by Platform: Design Package Documents

Platform

Production Model

Shading Report

Plan Set

Aurora

Aurora Production Model - 5 Screenshots

Shade Report

Standard planset (platform agnostic)

Solargraf

System Losses

Shade Report
&
​Monthly Production

Standard planset (platform agnostic)

PV Watts

Not required. Upload a placeholder file.

Shade Report (Will need one file per different pitch/azimuth)

Standard planset (platform agnostic)

General Approved Inputs:

Below are general approved inputs, agnostic of specific platform:

Key Input

Details

Approved Modeling Software/

Production Engine

  • PV Watts V8

  • SAM

  • Aurora

Modeling Software/production engines must be used in conjunction with an approved design platform.

Approved Weather Data

In order of preference:

  • Recommended: PSM 3

  • TMY3

  • TMY2

Shade Report

Only Required if any of the following conditions are met:

  • Modules cannot be places on 1 story house when a two story house is adjacent and the two story house potentially shades the mounting plane on the 1 story house.

  • Self shading from 2nd story to 1st story on same home.

  • If terrain obstructions (hills, freeways, etc.) are within 100 ft of the house.

  • Azimuth: If mounting planes utilized are north facing (300 - 89 degrees)

Must be used when available. If not available for the property, manual accounting for any surrounding objects casting shade (trees, structures), etc must be accurately modeled.

Acceptable Shade Models.

  • LiDAR

  • DSM (Low Aerial Imagery)

  • Drone (Scanifly)

  • Solmetrics/SunEye

Approved Platforms: Settings & Inputs

Platform

Inputs

Aurora

Click here for inputs

Navigating to project settings for Individual Aurora projects.

* Images above for illustrative purposes

  • General

    • Simulation: Auto

    • Shading Engine: On

    • Use LiDAR Shading: On

    • Use Horizon shading: On

  • Aurora

    • Irradiance Model: Perez

    • Inverter Clipping: On

    • Weather Dataset: PSM3, NREL-PSM, TMY3 or TMY2

  • PV Watts (Does not apply to Auto/Aurora simulation engine)

    • Default Inverter Efficiency (Used for any panel not connected to an inverter): 97%

    • Default DC to AC ratio (Used for any panel not connected to an inverter): 1.5

    • Weather Dataset: PSM3, NREL-PSM, TMY3 or TMY2

  • System Loses (See Total Percentage by state in System Loss Chart, below is just a suggestion)

    • Nameplate rating: 1.00%

    • Mismatch: 1.50%

    • Connections: 0.50%

    • Light-Induced Degradation:1.50%

    • Wiring: 2.00%

    • Soiling: 2.00%

    • Availability: 1.00%

    • Shading: Varies by site

    • Age: 0.00%

    • Snow: Varies by state/county

    • Other: 0.0%

Solargraf

Click here for inputs

Due to platform not displaying a total system loss, please following the data below along with the snow loss per state:

  • Soiling: 2.0%

  • DC Wiring: 2.0% *(0% if using microinverters)*

  • AC Wiring: 2.0% *(0% if using string inverters)*

  • Connections: 0.5%

  • Nameplate rating: 1.0%

  • Availability: 1.0%

  • Snow: Varies by state/county

  • Mismatch: 1.5%

  • Light-Induced Degradation:1.5%

  • Age: 0.0%

PV Watts* (Cannot be used if 'shade report' is required)

Click here for inputs

  • General Shading Concerns

    • Please see shading requirements under Section 'C' (Platform Settings & Inputs).
      ​

  • PV Watts Design Settings

    • Azimuth between: 0 - 360 degrees

    • Monthly Irradiance Loss: 3% for all months

    • System Losses

      • CA - 14.1%

      • CO - 17.5% [Snow(%)= 4]

    • DC to AC Size Ratio: 1.2

    • Inverter Efficiency: 97%

System Loss Settings

State(s)

Snow Loss (Only use if design platform does not have a total value)

Minimum System Loss without Shade Loss (Includes Snow Loss)

Minimum PV Watts System Loss without Shade Loss (Includes Snow Loss)

  • California

0%

9.1%

14.1%

  • Colorado

4%

12.3%

17.5%

Plan Set & Line diagram requirements: As built & Revisions

Disclaimer: IL will require updated plans for both major and minor changes.
​

As built changes are categorized into two:

  • MAJOR CHANGES

CATEGORY

WHAT CHANGED?

AS BUILT PLANS AT M2

PV Module / Inverter / Battery

  1. Count

  2. Model

  3. Size / Wattage

  4. Manufacturer

REQUIRED

Solar Layout

Modules moved to:

  1. Different roof planes

  2. New roof plane / structure

REQUIRED
​

  • MINOR CHANGES

CATEGORY

WHAT CHANGED?

AS BUILT PLANS AT M2

Racking

  1. Manufacturer

  2. Model

  3. Orientation

  4. Spacing / Cantilever

NOT REQUIRED

Solar Layout

Module location / orientation changes within the same roof plane

NOT REQUIRED

Electrical

  1. Interconnection Method

  2. BOS components added or removed

  3. Equipment spec sheets

  4. Equipment location change

  5. Conduit path change

NOT REQUIRED

Other

Any other changes not listed above

NOT REQUIRED


​

Related Articles
Install (M1) Photo Documentation
NHP: Eligible Sites
NHP: Installation (M1) Checklist
Did this answer your question?