Why This Matters

Accurate satellite imagery is the foundation of a good solar design. Using the right imagery source means your proposals look professional and your system sizing is spot-on.

What You'll Need

Admin access to SubcontractorHub
A web browser (Chrome or Edge recommended)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1

An NREL design will require approval if one of the following apply:The sales rep creating the design has been placed into NREL jail (meaning that approval is required for any design they create with the NREL data source).

Step 2

The sales rep finances an NREL design proposal with a restricted financing partner.

Step 3

When conditions are met, and design approval is required, an approval request will be sent to the email address set up by the organization’s admin.

Step 4

The recipient can choose to approve or reject the design.

Step 5

Follow the steps below to do this.

Step 6

Step 1:From the email, click on theproposal URL.

Step 7

Step 2:You will see the NREL design approval banner and two buttons: “Approve” and “Reject”, giving the option to approve or reject the design.

Step 8

If you choose to approve the design, the sales rep can continue with financing.

Step 9

Step 3:If you click “Reject”, enter the reason for rejecting the design and click “Save”.

Step 10

Once the sales rep updates the design, you will receive a second approval request.

Pro Tips

💡 Save time: Set up templates for your most common proposal types so you can reuse them.
📱 Mobile tip: Most Sales Velocity features work on mobile too — perfect for when you're on-site.
🔄 Stay organized: Use consistent naming conventions for proposals and customers.

Troubleshooting

Problem	Solution
I don't see this option	Make sure you have Admin access. Some features require specific permissions.
Changes aren't saving	Try refreshing your browser and make sure you clicked Save before navigating away.
Something looks different from the screenshots	SubcontractorHub updates regularly. The feature works the same way — the layout may just look slightly different.

Last updated: 2026-05-15 · Source: How To Use Nrel Design Approval