12 Key Considerations for Designing Solar Projects
As a solar installer, you know that a successful project isn’t just about fastening panels to a roof. It’s an intricate dance of technical specifications, regulatory hurdles, and client expectations. A flawed design can lead to costly change orders, frustrating delays, and unhappy customers. Getting the plan set right from the very beginning is the bedrock of a smooth, profitable installation.
At Avila Solar, we’ve seen it all. We partner with installers like you every day, turning your site data into permit-ready solar blueprints that sail through approvals. We understand the pain points—the back-and-forth with jurisdictions, the unexpected site challenges, and the pressure to keep projects moving. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on the 12 most critical things to consider when designing your solar projects. Think of it as a checklist to ensure every project is set up for success from day one.
1. A Thorough Site and Shading Analysis
Before you even think about panel layout, a deep understanding of the project site is crucial. It’s more than just getting the roof dimensions right. You need a comprehensive picture of the environment.
A proper site analysis involves documenting every roof penetration, obstruction, and potential source of shade. Is there a chimney casting a shadow that moves across the roof as the sun arcs overhead, just like the shadow of theKOIN Tower stretches over downtown Portland in the late afternoon? Are there nearby trees or buildings that will block the sun during peak production hours?
Using tools for an accurate shade analysis is non-negotiable. This data directly impacts the system’s potential energy production and is vital for setting realistic expectations with your client. A design that ignores a significant shade issue is a design that is doomed to underperform, leading to a dissatisfied customer down the line. We take your detailed site photos and measurements to model this accurately, ensuring the final design maximizes solar exposure and ROI.
2. Roof Health and Structural Integrity
Placing a solar array on a roof that isn’t structurally sound is a recipe for disaster. It’s a liability you can’t afford. Before any design work begins, the roof’s condition must be thoroughly assessed.
- Age and Material: How old is the roof? Is it asphalt shingle, tile, or metal? The age and material will dictate the appropriate mounting and flashing techniques. Placing a 25-year solar system on a roof with only 5 years of life left is a common, and costly, mistake.
- Structural Soundness: Can the rafters and overall structure support the additional weight of the solar array, especially in regions with snow load requirements? Imagine the weight of a heavy, wet snow, like those that can blanket the West Hills. The roof must be able to handle the solar panels plus the potential environmental loads. A structural engineering assessment is often a necessary part of the design process, and it’s a service we can facilitate to ensure safety and compliance.
3. Understanding the Customer’s Energy Needs
A solar system should be tailored to the client’s specific energy consumption patterns and future goals. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work.
Start by analyzing at least 12 months of the customer’s utility bills. This reveals their average usage and peak demand times. But don’t stop there. Ask the important questions:
- Are they planning to buy an electric vehicle (EV) in the next few years?
- Are they considering adding a hot tub or a new air conditioning unit?
- Is a major home renovation that will increase their electricity usage on the horizon?
Designing a system that meets their needs today is good. Designing a system that can accommodate their future needs is better. This foresight prevents the need for a costly system expansion later and demonstrates your value as a knowledgeable partner. Whether it’s a standard PV system or one that includes EV chargers or battery storage, the design must align with their long-term energy goals.
4. Navigating Local AHJ and Utility Requirements
This is where many projects get bogged down. Every Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and utility company has its own unique set of rules, regulations, and preferences. From setback requirements to specific labeling conventions, what passes easily in Beaverton might get rejected in Gresham.
This is a massive headache for installers who work across different municipalities. Keeping track of the nuances for each jurisdiction is a full-time job. This is where our expertise becomes your advantage. We have extensive experience with AHJs across the country and are meticulous about ensuring our plan sets meet the specific requirements of your project’s location.
A quick note: While we have broad expertise, we do not take on projects within the APS jurisdiction in Arizona or in Los Angeles County, California. Our focus is on providing top-tier service where we have deep, established knowledge of the regulatory landscape.
5. Selecting the Right System Components
The quality and compatibility of the system’s components are paramount. The solar panels, inverters, and racking all need to work together seamlessly to create an efficient and reliable system.
- Panels: High-efficiency panels might be perfect for a small roof, while a more budget-friendly option could work for a large, unobstructed area.
- Inverters: Will you use microinverters, a string inverter, or power optimizers? The choice depends on factors like shading, roof complexity, and monitoring preferences.
- Racking: The racking system must be appropriate for the roof type and local wind and snow load requirements.
Making the right component choices during the design phase ensures that the system performs optimally and that you aren’t facing compatibility issues during the installation. According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), confusing customers with too many options can lead to inaction, so recommending the right options based on solid design principles is key.
6. Planning for Electrical Integration
The solar system has to safely and effectively tie into the home’s existing electrical system. This means the main service panel must be up to the task.
A critical design step is to evaluate the main panel’s capacity. Is there enough room on the busbar to accommodate the solar backfeed breaker? Is the panel itself old or outdated and in need of a derate or a full upgrade? Planning for a main panel upgrade (MPU) from the outset is far better than discovering it’s needed on the day of installation. This avoids significant delays and unexpected costs for your customer. Our plan sets clearly detail the interconnection method, ensuring a smooth process for both your crew and the electrical inspector.
7. Creating an Optimal Panel Layout
A well-designed panel layout is a balance of aesthetics and performance. The goal is to maximize energy production while maintaining a clean, professional look on the customer’s roof.
This goes back to the site and shading analysis. The layout should prioritize placing panels in the areas of highest solar exposure, avoiding obstructions and shaded spots. It also needs to comply with fire code setbacks, which dictate the clear pathways required for firefighter access. A thoughtfully designed layout shows your attention to detail and respect for the homeowner’s property. It’s the difference between a system that looks like an afterthought and one that appears seamlessly integrated with the home.
8. Incorporating Battery Storage and EV Chargers
The demand for energy independence and electric vehicles is growing. More and more customers are requesting battery storage and EV charging solutions as part of their solar projects.
Designing for these components requires specialized knowledge. You need to consider:
- Battery Sizing: How much storage is needed to cover nighttime usage or power critical loads during an outage?
- EV Charger Integration: Where will the charger be located, and what is its power requirement?
- System Compatibility: Ensuring the battery, inverter, and other components are all compatible and communicate effectively.
We specialize in creating plan sets for PV+Storage systems, as well as standalone EV charger and generator plans. By incorporating these elements into the initial design, you can provide a comprehensive energy solution for your clients.
9. Future-Proofing and Scalability
A good design considers not only the present but also the future. Is there a logical way to add more panels to the system later if the customer’s needs change?
This could involve planning the initial layout to leave space for future expansion or ensuring the inverter and other electrical components can handle an increased load. Thinking ahead about scalability is a hallmark of a professional installer and adds significant long-term value for the customer. It shows you’re not just making a sale; you’re building a lasting energy solution.
10. Code Compliance and Engineering Stamps
Ensuring your design is fully compliant with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and all local building codes is non-negotiable. This is fundamental to a safe and legal installation.
In many jurisdictions, a Professional Engineering (PE) stamp is also required, especially for more complex projects or in areas with high wind or snow loads. This stamp certifies that the design has been reviewed and approved by a licensed engineer. We can facilitate obtaining PE stamps for your residential projects, providing that extra layer of assurance and ensuring your plans meet the highest standards of safety and compliance.
11. Clear and Detailed Installation Instructions
The best design in the world is useless if your installation crew can’t easily understand and execute it. The plan set should be more than just a drawing; it should be a clear, concise guide for your team.
Our solar blueprints include all the critical details:
- A detailed site plan
- Mounting and racking specifications
- A comprehensive three-line electrical diagram
- All necessary placards and labels
This level of detail minimizes guesswork and the potential for on-site errors. It empowers your crew to work efficiently and accurately, ensuring the final installation perfectly matches the approved design. This aligns with best practices outlined by organizations like the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), which emphasize the importance of quality assurance at every stage.
12. Planning for a Streamlined Permitting Process
Ultimately, all these design considerations funnel into one critical goal: getting the permit approved quickly. A design that is sloppy, incomplete, or non-compliant will be rejected, sending you back to the drawing board and stalling your project pipeline.
This is the core of our value proposition at Avila Solar. We obsess over the details so you don’t have to. Our deep understanding of what permit offices are looking for allows us to create plan sets that are designed for first-pass approval. Our typical turnaround time of 3-4 business days (provided we receive a complete intake form) means you can get your permit applications submitted faster, shrinking your project timelines and improving your cash flow.
| Design Factor | Key Consideration for Installers | How Avila Solar Helps |
| Site Analysis | Accurately identifying all obstructions and shade sources. | We translate your site data into precise, to-scale plans. |
| Roof Health | Assessing age, material, and structural load capacity. | We can facilitate PE stamps to verify structural integrity. |
| Energy Needs | Sizing the system for current and future consumption. | Our plans accommodate PV, Storage, EV, and Generator needs. |
| AHJ Requirements | Navigating the unique rules of each local jurisdiction. | Our expertise ensures plans are compliant with local codes. |
| Component Selection | Choosing compatible and efficient panels, inverters, etc. | We create designs based on your specified equipment. |
| Electrical Tie-In | Determining if the main service panel needs an upgrade. | Our electrical diagrams clearly detail the interconnection. |
| Panel Layout | Balancing aesthetics with maximum energy production. | We design clean, efficient layouts that meet fire setbacks. |
| Accuracy Guarantee | Ensuring the plan set is error-free and complete. | We guarantee the accuracy and completeness of our plans. |
By focusing on these twelve factors, you can dramatically reduce errors, streamline your operations, and build a reputation for high-quality, reliable installations. Outsourcing your drafting to experts like us frees you up to do what you do best: sell projects and manage your installation crews.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common cause of solar permit rejection?
From our experience, the most common reason for permit rejection is an incomplete or inaccurate plan set. This can range from missing information, like a detailed site plan or correct equipment specifications, to designs that don’t comply with local setback or electrical codes. By ensuring every detail is triple-checked and tailored to the specific AHJ, we help you avoid these frustrating and costly delays.
How can I speed up my solar installation timeline?
The fastest way to shorten your project timeline is to shrink the time between contract signing and the start of the installation. A major bottleneck is often the permitting process. Using a professional drafting service that guarantees accurate, compliant plan sets with a fast turnaround is crucial. Our 3-4 business day turnaround on complete intake forms means you can get your permit submitted in less than a week, significantly accelerating your project velocity.
Why should I outsource my solar drafting instead of doing it in-house?
Outsourcing your solar drafting services offers several key advantages. It provides cost-effectiveness by eliminating the overhead of an in-house designer (salary, software, training). You gain access to a team of dedicated experts who are always up-to-date on changing codes and regulations. It offers scalability, allowing you to handle a fluctuating workload without being over or understaffed. Most importantly, it allows you to focus on your core business—sales and installation—while we handle the complex, time-consuming design and permitting prep.
Ready to Streamline Your Solar Designs?
Stop letting drafting headaches and permit delays slow down your business. Let the experts at Avila Solar handle the blueprints, so you can focus on building your company. Our professional, accurate, and fast solar plan sets are the key to unlocking smoother installations and faster approvals.
Call us today at 971-410-0655 or fill out an inquiry form. Let’s discuss your project needs and show you how a partnership with Avila Solar can save you time and money.
