Design Package Files Design Package Files

Design Package Files

Overview & Functionality

This article outlines the design modeling criteria and deliverables expected from all approved design platforms. Adhering to these modeling guidelines is mandatory for all Skylight Lending sales. skylight Lending operates as an open design platform, allowing installers to choose any design software they prefer, as long as it falls within our approved platforms and parameters.

Here’s how it functions:

Failure to adhere to design requirements, or intentionally misusing modeling criteria to manipulate homeowner value propositions, could lead to the termination of access to the Skylight Lending product.

 
 

M2 Deliverables - Outcomes: Design Package Materials:

Key Deliverables Details
Production Model

Verification that the inputs were correctly configured by the user:

  • Production Engine
  • Weather Data Set
  • System Losses
  • And others
Shading Report

Verification that shading was accurately modeled:

  • Irradiance Overlay
  • LiDAR/DSM Overlay
Plan Set

Necessary pages of the Engineering Plan Set submitted to the local building department:

  • Relevant site information (Name, Address, etc.)
  • Site Plan (Tilt, Azimuth, Module arrangement, etc.)
  • One-Line/Three-Line Diagram
  • Engineering stamps and structural calculations, if required
  • Equipment listed on Skylight Lending
  • Specifications for equipment used at the site
  • Plans show that components are installed according to manufacturer guidelines (e.g., string or branch circuit lengths for inverters, minimum/maximum overcurrent amperage limits, etc.)
 
 

The following are general approved inputs, regardless of the specific platform used:

 

Main Input

 Details
Authorized Modeling Software/
Production Engine
  • PV Watts V8
  • SAM
  • Aurora

Modeling software and production engines must be utilized alongside an approved design platform.

Approved Weather Data

Listed in order of preference:

  • Preferred: PSM 3
  • TMY3
  • TMY2
Shading

Shading data must be used when available. If not, manual accounting for nearby objects that cast shade (such as trees, buildings, etc.) must be accurately represented in the model.

Acceptable Shading Models:

  • LiDAR
  • DSM (Low Aerial Imagery)
  • Drone (Scanifly)
  • Solmetrics/SunEye
 
 

Approved Platforms: Settings & Inputs

Platform

Inputs

The inputs are configured and locked by Solo – no action is required from the installer.

The inputs are configured and locked by Boston Solar – no action is required from the installer. 

The inputs are configured and locked by Aerialytic – no action is required from the installer. 

The inputs are configured and locked by SunRebel – no action is required from the installer. 

The inputs are configured and locked by LightFusion – no action is required from the installer. 

The inputs are configured and locked by Subcontractor hub – no action is required from the installer. 

 

View System Input Data
PV Watts Settings (Since the platform does not show the total system loss, please use the following data along with the snow loss specific to each state):
  • Soiling: 2.00%
  • Snow: Varies by state/county
  • Mismatch: 1.50%
  • Wiring: 2%
  • Connections: 0.50%
  • Light-Induced Degradation: 1.50%
  • Age: 0.00%
  • Availability: 1.00%
  • Nameplate Rating: 1.00%
 

 

View System Input Data VALIDATION

System Parameters

  • DC to AC Size Ratio: 1.5
  • Inverter Efficiency: 97%

Estimated System Losses (Refer to the Total Percentage by state in the System Loss Chart; the following are general suggestions):

  • Shading: Varies by site
  • Snow: Varies by state/county
  • Mismatch: 1.5%
  • Wiring: 2.0%
  • Connections: 0.5%
  • Light-Induced Degradation: 1.5%
  • Nameplate Rating: 1.0%
  • Age: 0.0%
  • Availability: 1.0%
  • Soiling: 2.0%
 

 

View System Input Data

Due to platform not displaying a total system loss, please follow the data below along with the snow loss per state:

  • Soiling: 2.0%

  • DC Wiring: 2.0% *(0% if using microinverters)*

  • AC Wiring: 2.0% *(0% if using string inverters)*

  • Connections: 0.5%

  • Nameplate rating: 1.0%

  • Availability: 1.0%

  • Snow: Varies by state/county

  • Mismatch: 1.5%

  • Light-Induced Degradation:1.5%

  • Age: 0.0%

 

View System Input Data

General (Since the platform does not show the total system loss, please apply the following data along with the snow loss percentage specific to each state):

  • AC Wiring: 1.5%
  • Nameplate: 1.0%
  • Diodes and Connections: 0.5%
  • DC System Availability: 2.0%
  • AC System Availability: 0.0%

String Inverters

  • Soiling: 2.0% + Snow Loss % (Varies by state/county)
  • DC Wiring: 0.5%
  • Mismatch: 1.5%

MicroInverters

  • Soiling: 2.0% + Snow Loss % (Varies by state/county)
  • DC Wiring: 0.5%
  • Mismatch: 1.5%

DC Optimizers

  • Soiling: 2.0% + Snow Loss % (Varies by state/county)
  • DC Wiring: 0.5%
  • Mismatch: 1.5%
 

 

View System Input Data

General Settings

  • Simulation: Auto
  • Shading Engine: On
  • Use LiDAR Shading: On
  • Use Horizon Shading: On

Aurora Settings

  • Irradiance Model: Perez
  • Inverter Clipping: On
  • Weather Dataset: PSM3, NREL-PSM, TMY3, or TMY2

PV Watts (Not applicable for Auto/Aurora simulation engine)

  • Default Inverter Efficiency (Used for panels not connected to an inverter): 97%
  • Default DC to AC Ratio (Used for panels not connected to an inverter): 1.5
  • Weather Dataset: PSM3, NREL-PSM, TMY3, or TMY2

System Losses (Refer to the Total Percentage by state in the System Loss Chart; the following are general suggestions):

  • Nameplate Rating: 1.00%
  • Mismatch: 1.50%
  • Connections: 0.50%
  • Light-Induced Degradation: 1.50%
  • Wiring: 2.00%
  • Soiling: 2.00%
  • Availability: 1.00%
  • Shading: Varies by site
  • Age: 0.00%
  • Snow: Varies by state/county
  • Other: 0.0%
 

 

System Loss Configuration

Note: The states of Massachusetts and New York are separated into counties because of considerable variations in snow loss within these areas. To find out which county your project falls under, you can use this tool by entering your address: https://geocodify.com/what-county-am-i-in

 

State(s)

Snow Loss (Use only if the design platform does not provide a total value)

Minimum System Loss without Shade Loss (Includes Snow Loss)

  • Alabama

  • Arkansas

  • Arizona

  • California

  • Florida

  • Georgia

  • Hawaii

  • Louisiana

  • Mississippi

  • North Carolina

  • New Mexico

  • Nevada

  • Oklahoma

  • Oregon

  • South Carolina

  • Tennessee

  • Texas

  • Virginia

  • Washington

0%

9.1%

  • Delaware

  • Kansas

  • Kentucky

  • Massachusetts (All Counties except)

    • Berkshire

    • Franklin

    • Worcester

  • Maryland

  • Missouri

  • New Jersey

  • New York (Specific Counties)

    • Bronx

    • Kings

    • Nassau

    • New York

    • Orange

    • Putnam

    • Queens

    • Richmond

    • Rockland

    • Suffolk

    • Westchester

  • Utah

  • West Virginia

2%

10.5%

  • Colorado

  • Connecticut

  • Iowa

  • Idaho

  • Illinois

  • Indiana

  • Massachusetts (Specific Counties)

    • Berkshire

    • Franklin

    • Worcester

  • Nebraska

  • New Hampshire

  • Ohio

  • Pennsylvania

  • Rhode Island

4%

12.3%
  • Puerto Rico

0%

 14.1%*
*(Default without Snow Losses)

  • Maine

  • Michigan

  • Montana

  • North Dakota

  • New York (All Counties except)

    • Bronx

    • Kings

    • Nassau

    • New York

    • Orange

    • Putnam

    • Queens

    • Richmond

    • Rockland

    • Suffolk

    • Westchester

  • South Dakota

  • Vermont

  • Wisconsin

  • Wyoming

7%

15.1%
  • Minnesota

10%

17.8%

  • Alaska

16%

23.3%
 

Plan Set & Line diagram requirements: As built & Revisions

Disclaimer: IL will require updated plans for both major and minor changes.
​

As built changes are categorized into two:

  • MAJOR CHANGES

CATEGORY

WHAT CHANGED?

AS BUILT PLANS AT M2

PV Module / Inverter / Battery

  1. Count

  2. Model

  3. Size / Wattage

  4. Manufacturer

 REQUIRED

Solar Layout

Modules moved to:

  1. Different roof planes

  2. New roof plane / structure

 REQUIRED

 

  • MINOR CHANGES

CATEGORY

WHAT CHANGED?

AS BUILT PLANS AT M2

Racking

  1. Manufacturer

  2. Model

  3. Orientation

  4. Spacing / Cantilever

NOT REQUIRED

Solar Layout

Module location / orientation changes within the same roof plane

NOT REQUIRED

Electrical

  1. Interconnection Method

  2. BOS components added or removed

  3. Equipment spec sheets

  4. Equipment location change

  5. Conduit path change

NOT REQUIRED
Other

Any other changes not listed above

NOT REQUIRED

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

 

 

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