PV System Design and Permits
Use the following resources to design a PV system and order drawings for your permits.
1. Learn PV Basics
Purchase the SEI Solar Electric Handbook ($60 eBook)
Solar Electric Handbook (eBook)
2. Determine System Size to Offset Annual Usage
PVWatts Calculator (Free Tool to Estimate PV System Production)
PVWatts Calculator
3. Layout PV Modules and Finalize Production Estimate
- OpenSolar (Free)
OpenSolar
- Pylon (Free Trial and Then $4 or $10 per Project)
Pylon
- HelioScope (Free Trial and Then $95 per Month)
HelioScope
4. Plan System Wiring Based on Inverter Type
SMA String Inverters
- Design System with Sunny Design
Sunny Design
Fronius String Inverters
- Design System with Solar.creator
Solar.creator
SolarEdge Inverters with Optimizers
Become SolarEdge Certified
- Create a SolarEdge Account
SolarEdge Registration - Log in to EDGE Academy and Begin Your Training
EDGE Academy
Design SolarEdge System
- Log in to Solaredge Designer and Begin Your Project
SolarEdge Designer
Enphase Microinverters
Become Enphase Certified
- Create an Enphase Account
Enphase Registration - Log in to Enphase University and Begin Your Training
Enphase University
Design Enphase System
- Learn the Basics
Getting Started - Create Balance of Materials
Enphase Dashboard - BOM
5. Design Racking System
IronRidge Design Assistant (Roof and Ground Mount Racking)
- Create an IronRidge Account
IronRidge Registration - Log in to Ironridge Design Assistant and Begin Your Project
Design Assistant
SnapNrack (Roof and Ground Mount Racking)
- Ultra Rail Configuration Tool (Roof Mount Racking)
Ultra Rail Configuration Tool - Series 200 Configuration Tool (Ground Mount Racking)
Series 200 Configuration Tool
Unirac U-Builder (Roof and Ground Mount Racking)
- Create a Unirac Account
Unirac Registration - Log in to Unirac U-Builder and Begin Your Project
U-Builder
6. Order Permit Package Drawings for Utility & Building Department
- Greenlancer ($100 - $360, Licensed Installers Preferred)
Greenlancer
- Planet Plan Sets ($249 up to 10kW AC, Licensed Installers Only)
Planet Plan Sets
- Solar Permit Services ($249 up to 15kW DC, DIY Allowed)
Solar Permit Services
- Gemini Solar Design ($399 up to 10kW DC, DIY Allowed)
Gemini Solar Design
- Efficient Solar Design (Fee Varies, DIY Allowed)
Efficient Solar Design
