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)
![Solar Energy International](image/information/sei.jpg)
2. Determine System Size to Offset Annual Usage
PVWatts Calculator (Free Tool to Estimate PV System Production)
PVWatts Calculator
![NREL PV Watts](image/information/nrel.jpg)
3. Layout PV Modules and Finalize Production Estimate
- OpenSolar (Free)
OpenSolar
![OpenSolar](image/information/opensolar.jpg)
- Pylon (Free Trial and Then $4 or $10 per Project)
Pylon
![Pylon](image/information/pylon.jpg)
- HelioScope (Free Trial and Then $95 per Month)
HelioScope
![Helioscope](image/information/helioscope.jpg)
4. Plan System Wiring Based on Inverter Type
SMA String Inverters
- Design System with Sunny Design
Sunny Design
![SMA](image/information/sma.jpg)
Fronius String Inverters
- Design System with Solar.creator
Solar.creator
![Fronius](image/information/fronius.jpg)
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
![SolarEdge](image/information/solaredge.jpg)
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
![Enphase](image/information/enphase.jpg)
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
![IronRidge](image/information/ironridge.jpg)
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
![SnapNrack](image/information/snapnrack.jpg)
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
![Unirac](image/information/unirac.jpg)
6. Order Permit Package Drawings for Utility & Building Department
- Greenlancer ($100 - $360, Licensed Installers Preferred)
Greenlancer
![Greenlancer](image/information/greenlancer.jpg)
- Planet Plan Sets ($249 up to 10kW AC, Licensed Installers Only)
Planet Plan Sets
![Planet Plan Sets](image/information/planetplansets.jpg)
- Solar Permit Services ($249 up to 15kW DC, DIY Allowed)
Solar Permit Services
![Solar Permit Servies](image/information/solarpermitservices.jpg)
- Gemini Solar Design ($399 up to 10kW DC, DIY Allowed)
Gemini Solar Design
![Gemini Solar Design](image/information/gemini.jpg)
- Efficient Solar Design (Fee Varies, DIY Allowed)
Efficient Solar Design
![ESD](image/information/esd.jpg)