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Eligible Sites

Freedom within the Framework: Installers may sell and install at their discretion, within the framework of our guidelines.

Andrew C - PLR Product Ops avatar
Written by Andrew C - PLR Product Ops
Updated yesterday

A) Eligibility Overview

LightReach reviews eligible residential homes through the lens of three key construction parameters. Certified Installers are responsible for working within these eligibility parameters, as LightReach does not police physical sites at point of sale. This means that partners are responsible for ensuring all of our site eligibility guidelines are met, as NTP Milestone does not confirm site eligibility.

  1. Roofing - Type & Quality/Lifespan

  2. Home type - Home type/style & mounting structure

  3. Structural

Freedom within the Framework: Installers may sell and install at their discretion, within the framework of our help.palmetto.finance guidelines.

B) Eligible Roof Types

Below are eligible roof types. If a type is not present on this list, it is not eligible for LightReach Energy Plans. Disqualified roof types, such as wood shake, tin metal, clay, etc are not eligible due to the long term maintenance and leakage risk to the customer.

Style

Approved Material

Pitched Roof

  • Asphalt / Comp Shingle

  • Corrugated metal

  • Standing seam metal

  • Concrete / Cement Tile

  • Comp-out/composition insert of a clay tile (re-roofing with comp shingles)

    • "Comp-out" refers to the technique of removing the tiles, laying down shingles underneath, installing the solar on the roof, then placing the tile back on the roof around the array. This is due to the clay tile on a roof being too fragile, so LightReach asks that comp-outs are performed to use the surfaces

Click for visual samples

Flat Roof

  • EPDM

  • modified bitumen (aka bitmod)

  • Rolled asphalt / comp

Ground Mount

  • Stationary or tracking (Site must still follow all other eligibility requirements)

Eligible Roof Quality

Regardless of roof type, each roof must be in viable shape for solar install. It is the responsibility of the Certified Installer to ensure diligence on roof quality.

Golden Guideline: Roof should have at minimum ten (10) years remaining lifespan, and pass the below quality checks.

When reviewing M1s, LightReach will err on the side of flexibility when reasonably possible. Certified Installers should err on the side of caution when dealing with questionable roofs.

Quality Item

Details

No Obvious Damage or Wear & Tear

  • Material is clear of algae and moss, metal is not rusted or deteriorated, tiles aren't broken or excessively damaged.

  • Roof is clear of obvious signs of heavy age or wear and tear

  • Incorrectly installed roofing/roof type

Click for visual samples

No Missing Coverage

  • Composite shingles are not heavily worn with major granule loss, missing tabs, or hip and ridge coverings, and exposed fiberglass.

Click for visual samples

Uncompromised Decking

  • Decking material should not be compromised, missing, or otherwise damaged. There should be no signs of current water penetration or pooling.

  • Flat roof material does not show heavy water retention or pooling, aged patches or obstruction flashing, and surface is not wavy or showing signs of bubbling.

  • Underlayment paper for tile roofs should not be brittle, torn, or missing.

  • Roofing material should be installed directly to decking, and not installed over another roof type. Shingles should be no more than 2 layers.

Click for visual sample

C) Eligible Home Types/Mounting Structures

Below are eligible mounting structures (or, eligible home types). This list is not exhaustive--If a structure is not present on this list, it is not eligible. Disqualified mounting structures, including but not limited to townhomes, condos, overhang porches or carports are not eligible due to the long term maintenance and safety risk to the customer. All structures must be residential.

Type

Details

Residential, Single Family Homes

Approved

  • IE traditional detached houses

  • Residential meter, residential zoned, residential use

  • Installers should proceed with caution when installing outside of this core home type.

Detached Garage / Guest Suite*

Approved

  • *Generally approved, assuming full code compliance, structural stability, etc

Duplexes / Triplexes (Sometimes referred to as Multi-Family)*

Approved when Conditions are Met

  • IE Traditional resi. detached houses which may be split into multiple units, for example an upstairs & downstairs unit. Sites that fall outside of this description, including but not limited to townhomes, condos, or other irregular structures, are not eligible.

  • *The customer must own the entire property.

Townhomes

Not Approved. Please do not install.

Commercial/Non-Residential Buildings

Not Approved. Please do not install.

Condos or Apartment Buildings

Not Approved. Please do not install.

Carports or Overhang Porches

Not Approved

Manufactured/Mobile

Not Approved. Please do not install.

All other unique or irregular home types/structures

Not Approved. Please do not install.

  • If not expressly listed as approved, above, please do not install.

Mounting Structure

Requirement

Azimuth Angle

  • Requirement:

    • The azimuth angle of arrays should be within ±5 degrees of the specified orientation on the plan set & proposal design.

  • Why:

    • To ensure production & plan set accuracy with respect to installation on the project site.

Tilt Angle (Pitched Roof)

  • Requirement:

    • Minimum of 5 degrees (absolute)

    • Maximum up to 45 degrees, with a flexibility margin of ±5 degrees

  • Why:

    • To attain optimal drainage and prevention of water pooling/snow accumulation on the arrays that would negatively impact production.

    • To maximize energy harvest & compensate for variations in initial design precision.

Tilt (Flat Roof)

  • Requirement:

    • Minimum of 5 degrees (absolute).

  • Why:

    • To attain optimal drainage and prevention of water pooling/snow accumulation on the arrays that would negatively impact production.

Ground Mount

  • Requirement:

    • Minimum of 5 degrees (absolute).

    • Maximum up-to 45 degrees, with a flexibility margin of ±5 degrees

  • Why:

    • To attain optimal drainage and prevention of water pooling/snow accumulation on the arrays that would negatively impact production.

    • To maximize energy harvest & compensate for variations in initial design precision.

Reverse Tilt Arrays

Not Approved. Please do not install.

D) Structural Material:

  • Roof framing should be adequate material to support solar load and uplift in regional zones

  • No structural damage: Rafters, trusses, or beams should not be severely cracked or damaged

  • No ridge sagging

  • No pest/element damage: Framing material should not show insect, thermal, or water damage

Click for visual samples

(Maximum 3 projects per customer)

While multiple system (i.e. separate system, second system) installations are not expressly prohibited, they are typically higher risk, and as such: Certified Installers should proceed with extreme caution and be well familiarized with the guidance outlined below to avoid project disqualification. Moreover, LightReach recommends taking additional steps outlined in our Compliance Guidelines.

Any time a customer has more than one solar system, they will fall into one of the following categories. As nuances and industry terminology tends to vary widely, LightReach has characterized each term below:

1) Add-on 🔴

Click for Add-On Details

  • Description: Additional panels tied into the same inverter & meter.

  • Example: A customer purchased a 10kW system a few years back, and wants to add a handful of panels to the existing system. This implies that the add-on panels will be intertwined with the existing system on site.

  • Not acceptable and will not be funded under any circumstance. Altering existing, unknown solar systems in any way poses significant service, warranty, and legal risks.

2) Second (2nd) Systems 🟡

Click for Second (2nd) System details

  • Disclaimer: Certified Installers are responsible for confirming utility policies for second systems. Our policy is generally geared toward enabling customers who are seeking additional electrification. However, customers with existing solar systems can often misunderstand, or be miseducated, about the implications of a 2nd system. As such, careful homeowner education is always advised. Moreover, LightReach recommends take additional steps outlined in our Compliance Guidelines to protect against any potential adverse claims.

  • Description: New system containing new inverter(s), tied to the same meter. A 2nd system, physically separate from any pre-existing solar on site, but tied to the same meter/account.

  • Example: A customer purchased a 5kW system a few years back, and wants to add a new 5kW system with LightReach due to a recent EV purchase or other usage increase reasons.

  • Acceptable only if certain conditions are met. Installer should treat second system with caution. Conditions include: [1] Located outside of California. [2] Approved by Utility. [3] Does not interfere or impact pre-existing system NEM or value proposition for the customer in any way. [4] Any code violations or installation irregularities associated with the 1st system are fully addressed by the Certified Installer, at the installer's own risk.

3) Separate Systems 🟢

Click for Separate System details

  • Description: A separate/new system connected to a different electric meter, on a different utility account, unrelated to any existing solar systems.

  • Example: A customer has a main house with an existing solar system and meter. They also have a guest house with their own meter, and want a new LightReach system for the guest house & guest meter.

  • Acceptable, up to 3 systems per applicant. For all intents and purposes, these are simply new customers for LightReach, who may have multiple units/properties and want solar on each. Simply a new system with no connection to other system(s) owned by the applicant.

A

Golf course homes

  • Golf course homes are acceptable, but, damage caused by golf balls does not qualify for (no cost) panel replacement or production guarantee.

  • This means that if a panel is damaged by a golf ball, LightReach can fix the damage/replace the panel at cost. Any lost production is not covered by the production guarantee.

C

Active Utilities

Link to "Active Utilities" to cross reference open utilities.

D

Ground Mounts

Ground mounts installations are acceptable however, must meet all other site eligibility requirements.

  • Customer must own the whole property

  • Home cannot be manufactured/mobile

  • Must use AVL listed manufacturer's racking solution.

  • etc

Stamped engineering letter is required. Should include wind/snow structural load calculations, embedment depths and/or footing dimensions and match installed racking structure.

E

Manufactured Homes? Mobile Homes?

Manufactured homes, mobile homes, double wides or other non-traditional standalone single family houses are not permitted and will not be funded, regardless of PV installation type.

Characteristics of manufactured/mobile homes include but are not limited to:

  • Single & double wides

  • Have HUD plates

  • Has a metal and/or non-permanent support structure/foundation.

View "Manufactured Homes Policy" article.

F

Townhomes?

Townhomes are not permitted and will not be funded, regardless of townhome site specifics.

G

Pergolas? Carports? Custom structures? Condos?

Disqualified mounting structures, such as carports, condos, or other irregular/custom structures (includes add on porches that are not part of the original structure), are not eligible due to the long term maintenance and safety risk to the customer.

H

Commercial?

Agricultural? Businesses?

LightReach approves only residential structures. It is the responsibility of the installer to ensure site eligibility.

Home must be residential meter, residential zoned, and residential use. Installers are advised to avoid homes which fall outside of a standard residential scope.

Homes which are partial use, or otherwise not solely residential use, must still prove the same residential requirements as above. For example:

  • A customer owns a duplex. They live upstairs and run a small business/shop out of the first floor. So long as the solar system is attached to a residence, with a residential meter/interconnection, the account can generally be approved.

  • In contrast, a customer who owns a commercial shop/business and has a break room with a couch upstairs would not be approved.

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