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New Community: Installation (M1) Checklist

David - PLR Product Ops avatar
Written by David - PLR Product Ops
Updated yesterday

Installation (M1) Checklist

Full breakdown of everything our LightReach team looks for during the M1 review process

The below checklist mirrors LightReach's full internal review process for M1s.

All requirements must be satisfied to achieve M1, and requirements are uniform across our ecosystem.

Each item detailed below features details and additional links to specific details.

(SQ) Site Qualifying

Item:

What We're Checking For:

SQ1

Account Details

  • Name, address, kW size matches planset & production model

SQ2

Contract Details

  • Production kWh & system size within tolerance (PPA vs Lease)

  • (I/A) Battery tab match what was installed

  • (I/A) Adders match what was installed

SQ3

Site Qualifying

  • GAF Energy Beholden to Town Home and Shared Roof Stipulations

AVL - Franklin Batteries

  • GAF Energy Approved, not part of ML

Eligible Site

Town Homes

  • Town Homes are approved within the New Homes Program

  • Town Homes in the New Homes program are exempt for the requirement of Equipment Location

    • All Palmetto LightReach equipment (PV & Battery Systems) must be located exclusively on the contract holder's property. No exceptions will be granted.

Eligible Site

Shared Roof Stipulations

  • >12" of separation from conduits of DIFFERENT systems is required

    • EPCs needs to be sure to separate the systems conductors, even if they are "shared" rail/layout

    • Cannot use "shared" conduit

    • This will also apply to any wiring that is managed underneath the panels.

  • Commission systems with “powerline communication (PLC) scan” off. ONLY scan the microinverters' barcodes

CR

Credit Report

  • Credit check for the New Community program is a step that gathers data, meaning that while credit must be ran, it will not be rejected outside of extenuating circumstances.

  • Must be completed for M1 Installation Milestone

  • Can be ran anytime during M0/M1

(A) Administrative

Item & Note:

What We're Checking For:

A1

Monitoring Portal Site ID (Optional for M1, but recommended for early review)

  • M2 Deliverable for GAF Energy

  • Name, address, kW size matches planset & production model

A2

Permits

  • Not Required for GAF Energy

  • Add in blank doc as placeholder

  • Approved permit is provided (Status must be approved/issued)

  • Scope of the permit is for the solar PV install

  • Address matches installation site

  • (I/A) Permit affidavit provided (Not common)

A3

Incentives (I/A)

  • Not Required for GAF Energy

  • Add in blank doc as placeholder

(D) Design Package Documents

Item:

What We're Checking For:

D1

Planset

  • GAF Energy to provide individual system plansets

  • System size & module count match vs what was installed on site

  • Module manufacturer & wattage match what was installed on site

  • Inverter, racking, & all other components match what was installed on site

  • Planset is accurate (within tolerance) vs what was installed on site (Tilt, azimuth, etc)

  • All equipment on AVL

D2

Production Model

  • Data Tape Export

  • Approved platform used (Not mixed/matched)

  • Approved inputs & system loss settings (including snow loss per state, shading, etc)

  • Design on the production model is accurate (within tolerance) vs what was installed on site

  • Correct deliverables provided

D3

Shade Report

  • Not Required for GAF Energy

  • Data export required for projects

Shade Report

  • Only Required if any of the following conditions are met:

    • Modules cannot be placed on 1 story houses 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 the 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:

    • LiDAR/DSM Overlay

    • Irradiance Overlay

(IP) Install Photo Documentation

Item:

What We're Checking For:

IP1

Project Site

PS1

Inverter(s) -or- Micro inverters -or- Optimizers

PS2

Q.Home / IQ Combiner label serial

(Applicable if monitoring portal access is not provided to LR at M1)

PS3

MCI location & picture

PS4

  • Likely missing

  • Possible reliance on GAF Energy designs & shipping invoices as the materials distributor.

Module Label

PS5

  • Likely missing

  • Possible reliance on GAF Energy designs & shipping invoices as the materials distributor.

Module Serial Number

IP2

Roof

R1

  • Missing

  • GAF SOW - roofers to install attachments to maintain builder warranties (do we need this?)

Close up of attachments - Flashing & Sealant

R2

  • Missing

  • Future JCO

    • Rail included

    • SOW impact with timing of capture and possibly Rail Only

Rail with Optimizer/Micro inverters mounted+ EGC installed + Wire Management

R3

Complete Array(s) w/ Rail Trimmed

R4

  • Missing

  • Not intended for Future JCO

Under Array(s) Wire Management

R5

  • Missing

  • Possible reliance on GAF Energy designs

Tilt

R6

  • Missing

  • Future JCO

Rooftop Junction Box

IP3

Electrical

E1

Inverter(s) -or - Enphase IQ / Q.Home Combiner box

E2

  • Generally captured BUT if missing rely on Design

Main Breaker & Busbar rating

E3

  • Missing

  • Possible reliance on GAF Energy designs

Main Panel Busbar rating

E4

  • Missing

  • GAF SOW - Home Electrical installs after Solar - possible reliance on Home Inspections? (do we need this?)

Point of Interconnection

E5

Pull back of Balance of System

E6

Production Meter -or- CTs

E7

  • Low potential for escalations

Consumption Metering (CTs)

E8

  • Missing interior photos

  • Future JCO

Fused AC Disconnects (If applicable)

E9

  • Missing interior photos

  • Future JCO

Combiner Sub Panels (If applicable)

IP4

Storage (if applicable)

S1

Battery Label

S2

  • Missing

  • Future JCO

Comms cable & Drain Wire

S3

  • Missing

  • Future JCO

Battery CT

S4

Pull back of Balance of System

S5

  • Missing

  • Future JCO

Gateway -or- System Controller -or- Transfer Switch wiring (If applicable)

S6

  • Missing

  • Future JCO

Gateway -or- System Controller -or- Transfer Switch label (If applicable)

  • If monitoring portal access is not granted at M1

IP5

Commissioning

  • Required at M2

SC

  • Required at M2

Commissioning (Tesla)

All requirements must be satisfied to achieve M1. The QC technician reviewing the submission may at their discretion grant conditional approvals. Conditional approvals are M1 approvals which grant leniency to submit certain missing or incomplete items at M2. Conditional approvals are automatically provided where reasonably possible - LightReach does not grant exceptions by request.

  • May qualify for Conditional approval consideration: Minor missing uploads or basic installation fixes solved with a site visit

  • Will not qualify for Conditional approval consideration: Code violations, or violations of manufacturer specification, egregious workmanship issues, high submission error rates, etc.

Related Articles
New Community: Accounts Quick Hits
New Community: Activation (M2) Checklist
New Community: Design Package | Inputs and Deliverables
New Community: Monitoring Site ID (M2)
New Community: Incentive Deliverables - M1 Milestone
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