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Solar Knowledge Base

Expert guides, industry news, and drafting tips to help you streamline your solar projects and stay ahead of the curve.

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Avila Solar Drafting Partners With Muon Marketing

Avila Solar Drafting has engaged Muon Marketing to manage its digital infrastructure, SEO, generative engine…
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Blueprint showing a commercial rooftop solar photovoltaic system layout
Solar Drafting

What’s Included in a Permit-Ready Solar Plan Set?

A permit-ready solar plan set is six sheets, not one drawing. Here’s what goes on…
August 13, 2026
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Engineer reviewing solar array blueprint with red correction notes
Permit Process

Why Solar Permits Get Rejected — and What It Costs You

Nine causes account for most solar permit rejections. Here’s each one, the code behind it,…
August 9, 2026
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Technicians installing solar panels on a commercial rooftop
Regulation

When Does a Solar Project Need a PE Stamp?

PE stamp requirements are set by the AHJ, not by project size. Here’s what actually…
August 7, 2026
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Solar monitoring equipment beside a wired solar control panel
How-To

The Solar Site Survey Checklist

Every plan set correction traces back to something the survey missed. Here’s what to capture,…
August 5, 2026
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Historic brick building with rooftop solar panels surrounded by trees
Solar Drafting

DC Solar Plan Sets: What Washington, DC Permitting Actually Requires

DC solar plan sets drawn to the 2017 DC Construction Codes and 2014 NEC. Washington…
September 3, 2025
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Infographic showing electrical power flow from generation to consumers
Permit Process, Regulation, Solar Drafting

Generator Permit Plans: NEC Load Calcs, ATS and Setbacks

AHJ-ready standby generator plan sets: NEC 2020 220.82 load calcs, Article 702 transfer equipment, ATS…
August 8, 2025
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Electrical plan for residential Level 2 EV charger installation
Permit Process, Regulation

Level 2 EV Charger Installation Plans & Permit Drawings

EV charger permit plans under NEC 2023 Article 625: Level 2 circuit sizing, 220.87 load…
August 8, 2025
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Residential and industrial buildings covered with solar panels
Guides, Solar Drafting

Commercial vs Residential Solar

Commercial vs residential solar design: three-phase service, NEC 2023 Article 705 interconnection, ballasted racking, 2021…
August 7, 2025
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Solar panels and illuminated electrical cables at dusk
Guides, Regulation

Solar Grounding and Bonding: NEC 2023 Article 250 and 690

How PV grounding and bonding work under NEC 2023 Article 250 and 690: functionally grounded…
August 7, 2025
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Isometric solar plan quality review workflow from drafting to permit submission
Permit Process, Solar Drafting

Solar Plan Set Process Explained

How an installer’s intake package becomes an AHJ-ready solar plan set in 2-3 business days,…
August 6, 2025
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Workers install solar panels on a partially reconstructed residential roof
Guides, Solar Drafting

Rooftop Solar Structural Loads

Dead load, snow, wind and seismic on a rooftop PV array: the ASCE 7-16 and…
August 6, 2025
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Designer reviewing paperwork at a desk beside a rolled drawing labeled Solar Plan Set
Guides

Solar Permitting Requirements That Catch Installers Out

Solar permitting requirements differ by AHJ: NEC cycle, PE stamp triggers, rapid shutdown reads, HOA…
August 4, 2025
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Site technician using a tablet in front of a ground-mounted solar array
Guides

Fast Solar Installs: A Guide for Local Installers

How local installers cut days off a solar job: permitting, site survey accuracy, plan set…
July 24, 2025
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Aerial view of suburban homes, wind turbines, and power lines
Permit Process

Texas Solar Plan Sets: NEC Cycles, AHJs and Interconnection

Texas solar plan sets built to the adopted NEC cycle, with named AHJ submittal rules…
July 14, 2025
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Elevation drawings of a house showing rooftop solar modules on two roof planes
Permit Process, Guides

Are You Getting the Best Solar Plan Sets? How to Judge Solar Plan Set Quality

How to judge solar plan set quality: the concrete cross-checks installers can run on any…
July 3, 2025
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Split scene of an architect drafting plans and a designer using 3D software
Permit Process

Outsourced Solar Design vs In-House: The Real Comparison

Outsourced solar design vs an in-house drafter: how throughput, revision cycles, and NEC code cycles…
June 4, 2025
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Solar panels covering a suburban home roof at sunset
Guides

12 Solar Project Design Considerations Before You Draw

Twelve solar project design considerations for installers: shading, structural loads, busbar math, fire setbacks, and…
May 2, 2025
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Illustration of a stopwatch and green checkmark over a solar plan drawing
Permit Process, How-To

The Solar Permitting Process: Every Stage, Start to Finish

The solar permitting process stage by stage: site data, design, plan set, submittal, plan check,…
April 3, 2025
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Aerial view of a suburban neighborhood glowing at sunset
How-To

10 Ways to Get More Solar Leads

Boost your solar sales with these 10 proven strategies. Learn how to generate high-quality solar…
March 4, 2025
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Rooftop solar array on a blue clapboard house beside a brick chimney
Solar Drafting

Residential Solar Design: Intake to AHJ-Ready Plan Set

The residential solar design workflow for installers: intake and site data, roof layout, structural load…
February 1, 2025
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Residential floor plan drawing with a hard hat, pencils and dividers laid on top
Solar Drafting

Commercial Solar Plan Sets: What Changes Above Residential

Commercial solar plan sets up to 500 kW: three-phase service, NEC 2023 Article 705 interconnection,…
January 26, 2025
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Architectural floor plan blueprint with dimensioned walls and door swings
Solar Drafting, How-To

Solar Permit Pre-Submittal Checklist for Installers

The pre-submittal QA gate for solar permit packages: site plan, spec sheets, one-line, sizing, labels,…
January 24, 2025
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Two people reviewing rolled drawings at a desk with a spirit level and laptop
Solar Drafting

What to Avoid When Making Solar Plans

Discover common mistakes to avoid when making solar plan sets. Learn how Avila Solar Drafting…
January 3, 2025
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Rooftop solar modules on a house roof under a clear sky
Incentives

Oregon Solar Incentives: An Installer’s Guide

Oregon solar incentives for installers: Energy Trust amounts, Solar Within Reach, net metering caps and…
September 10, 2024
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Solar modules mounted on rails above a tiled roof
Solar Drafting

11 Reasons to Streamline Your Solar Plan Sets

See 11 reasons to streamline your solar plan sets with Avila Solar Drafting. Experience precision,…

August 5, 2024
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Rows of ground-mounted solar modules stretching to the horizon at a utility-scale plant
Utility-Scale

Navigating the Complexities of Utility-Scale Solar Drafting

Utility-scale solar drafting requires careful planning and legal expertise. This guide explores key factors like…
July 2, 2024
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Solar array on a tiled house roof beside a chimney, with mountains behind
How-To

5 Things to Consider When Installing Home Solar

June 5, 2024
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Close-up of solar module frames and cell grid in sunlight
Incentives

Exploring Washington State Solar Incentives

Learn more about Washington State Solar Incentives and Rebates. Expert design and cost estimation for…

May 16, 2024
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Color-coded phase tape on high-voltage cable terminations in an electrical enclosure
Guides, Regulation

NEC Articles for Solar Plan Sets

Which NEC articles govern a solar plan set? An article-by-article map of 690, 691, 705,…
August 11, 2021
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Photovoltaic modules following the curve of a barrel-vaulted commercial roof
Guides, Permit Process

PV Disconnect Placement: NEC 2017 vs. NEC 2023 Requirements

June 29, 2021
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Underside of a ground-mount solar array showing racking, piles and module wiring over snow
Uncategorized, How-To

Solar Engineering Plans & Stamps

April 5, 2021
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Hand sketching a solar canopy section with sun-angle arrows and a scale rule
Guides

Solar Design Pros and Cons: In-House vs. Outsourced Plan Sets

A decision framework for installers weighing an in-house solar designer against outsourced plan sets: cost…
March 3, 2021
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Rows of ground-mounted photovoltaic modules across a utility-scale solar field
Guides

A Guide to Large Photovoltaic Powerplant Design

Designing a photovoltaic power plant on a megawatt-scale is an endeavor that requires expert technical…
January 7, 2021
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The United States Capitol at the end of Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC
Guides

Ultimate Guide to Washington DC Solar Power

November 20, 2020
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Rows of ground-mounted solar modules at sunrise on a grassy site
Incentives

USDA REAP Grant for Solar

September 28, 2020
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Electrician testing terminals in an electrical control panel with multimeter probes
How-To

How to Calculate Solar String Size: 2 Worked Examples

How to size PV strings: cold Voc, hot Vmp, MPPT windows and the NEC 600…
June 27, 2020
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Transmission tower and substation insulators silhouetted against a low sun
Permit Process

Rule 21 for Solar: Who It Binds and What Goes on the Plan Set

Rule 21 binds California’s six investor-owned utilities, not SMUD or LADWP. What UL 1741 SB…
November 7, 2019
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Residential neighborhood with solar panels, trees, cyclists, and pedestrians
Incentives

Solar Ready Program for New Construction

Another new policy in Oregon designed to promote renewable energy is the Solar Ready Program….
September 20, 2019
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