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NHP: Eligible Sites

Alvin - PLR Product Ops avatar
Written by Alvin - PLR Product Ops
Updated over 3 weeks ago

Eligible Sites

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.

  1. Roofing - Type & Quality/Lifespan

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

  3. Structure
    ​

Palmetto LightReach follows a "Freedom within the Framework" approach. Installers may sell and install at their discretion, within the framework of our nhp.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 shingle

  • Corrugated metal

  • Standing seam metal

  • Concrete / Cement Tile

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

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). If a structure is not present on this list, it is not eligible for LightReach Energy Plans. Disqualified mounting structures, such as carports, condos, or other irregular/custom structures, such as reverse tilt arrays, 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

Applicant must own portion of structure where installation occurs.

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. Please do not install.

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.

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:

Add-on - Not acceptable and will not be funded regardless of circumstance. Additional panels tied into the same inverter/pre-existing system.

Separate Systems - Always acceptable, up to 3 per customer. Simply a new system, on separate utility account, with no connection to other system(s) owned by the applicant. For example, we permit customers who may have multiple properties and want solar on each, up to 3 systems per customer.

Second System - Only acceptable under certain circumstances*. New system, separate from any pre-existing solar on site, but on the same utility account.

*Second Systems are acceptable in some cases, however, installers should proceed with extreme caution to ensure the following criteria are met:

  • Located outside of California

  • Approved by Utility

  • Does not interfere or impact pre-existing system NEM or value proposition for the customer in any way

  • Any code violations or installation irregularities associated with the 1st system are fully addressed by the Certified Installer, at the installer's own risk

  • Certified Installers are responsible for confirming utility policies for second systems. Our policy is generally geared toward enabling customers to go solar for homes with multiple distinct meters/utility accounts (IE guest houses, ADUs, detached garages, etc). Certified Installers should proceed with extreme caution outside of these more common scenarios.

A

Shared Roofs

Shared roofs are permissible on NHP accounts, with the following constraints:

  • >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

B

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

What if the home has an existing solar system? [Second Systems vs Add-Ons]

System Add-Ons are additional panels tied into the same inverter/pre-existing system. Add-ons of any kind are not accepted and will not be funded.

A second system is a completely new system separate from any pre-existing solar on site. These are acceptable in some cases, however, installers should proceed with extreme caution to ensure the following criteria are met:

  • Located outside of California

  • It is approved by Utility

  • Separate Inverter & monitoring

  • Separate PPA/Lease contract

  • Does not interfere or impact pre-existing system NEM or value proposition for the customer in any way

  • Any code violations or installation irregularities associated with the 1st system are fully addressed by the Certified Installer, at the installer's own risk.

Second System: Important Points to Consider

  • Certified Installers are responsible for confirming utility policies for second systems. Our policy is generally geared toward enabling customers to go solar for homes with multiple distinct meters/utility accounts (IE guest houses, ADUs, detached garages, etc). Certified Installers should proceed with extreme caution outside of these more common scenarios.

  • Second systems can potentially negatively impact the customers savings on their first system. LightReach will not fund second systems that have negatively impacted the customer's NEM or value proposition in any way.

  • California: Second systems are not permitted with LightReach, regardless of utility or circumstance.

D

Active Utilities

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

E

Ground Mounts

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

  • Customer must own the whole property

  • Home cannot be manufactued/mobile

  • Must use AVL listed manufacturer's racking solution.

  • etc

F

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.

G

Townhomes?

Townhomes are permitted in New Homes Program sales, provided the structure meets all other applicable eligible site constraints detailed in this guide.

H

Pergolas? Carports? Custom structures?

Disqualified mounting structures, such as carports, 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.

I

Commercial? Businesses?

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

Related Articles
Compliance: Guidelines
Warranty & Service Information
NHP: Battery Energy Storage
NHP: Prepping to Sell and Setting Expectations
NHP: Design Package | Inputs and Deliverables
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