Note: Make sure you read the order notes to ensure you do only what’s asked. For example, many jobs will request ONLY the project design and therefore, there is no need to go into any other phase.
Below are end-to-end instructions for all phases.
Steps:
Usage Phase: Update Usage (if provided by the installer)
Check to make sure the Utility, Rate Schedule, and Post-Project Rate Schedule are correct
Update usage
1-12 months of kWh usage (monthly or total)
1-12 months of bill dollar amounts (monthly or total)
Note: if provided only 1 month of kWh usage be sure you add the correct value in the correct month
BE SURE TO CLICK “Apply Changes”
Project Phase: Design the Solar System Project
note: Reference our installer knowledge base articles about the project phase if you need help creating the design, but below are some guidelines to follow.
Goal: Eliminate as much utility power as possible and replace it with solar power, based on how much viable roof space there is compared to how much power the home is using.
Address and Imagery
Select best option available - Google sunroof or EagleView are better options than the default (use the drop down to select the alternatives)
Often if it’s a new construction project, default imagery won’t be available. Check Google street view or Bing maps for alternative images – or the installer might have included an image as an attachment to the ticket.
You may need to upload an image before designing the project
Choosing the best roof plane:
Unless the installer specifies otherwise in the ticket, here are some best practices.
Avoid single panels - but always refer to guidance provided by installers.
Always begin by choosing the best roof plane to design on.
Start with the most south facing roof plane.
If this doesn’t offset enough power move to the west facing roof plane.
If this doesn’t produce enough power design on the east facing roof plane.
Shading should also be taken into account if applicable
example: if there is a tree directly W of the home, and there is an available E face, the E face is likely a better roof face for solar.
Size of roof face is also another consideration.
If you can only fit a small array on a S face, but can fit a larger array on a W of E face that would offset 100% of their usage, then it makes sense to design 1 array vs 2.
Flat roof designs
Refer to guidelines from the installer / ticket or send an internal note if looking for guidance
Azimuth
Refers to the direction the roof faces (North, South, East, West) in degrees. Important because it determines how much the system will produce
The roof edge from which you find azimuth is always the edge closest to the ground
Refer to guidance from installer for preferred Azimuth ranges (though they may not provide this)
When the image of the home appears in the Project Phase it is already in position so that north is north and so forth.
North = 0° or 360°
East = 90°
South = 180°
West = 270°
Equipment - use what is in the organization’s default:
Use what’s in the installer’s default, unless they specify otherwise on the ticket
Setbacks
Use what’s in the installer’s defaults, unless specified in the ticket
Shading
Use project sunroof data if available
If project sunroof is not available, use a best estimate for yearly or monthly solar access %.
if there are trees on either the W, E or S of the home, drop the yearly average by increments of 5% depending on the number of shading threats present
Try to design a system even if shading looks bad, just make sure it is accounted for in the solar access %
Pre-Existing Solar Thermal
You will encounter some homes with existing solar. Solar Thermal and is used for water heating and not for electricity. Solar thermal can be identified as they are longer black "mats" on the roof, and there is usually a noticeable gap between each one.
If a home has solar thermal, we should still design a PV system - design around the solar thermal system. If there are no usable faces for PV due to the solar thermal, please put an internal note on the Jira ticket so David can reach out to the installer for more guidance
Quote Phase: Quote the EverBright financial products
Quote the EverBright product(s) as specified in the ticket, or available for the job. Provide up to three quotes if applicable
4.) Proposal Phase: Select proposal template
Use default EverBright proposal, unless specified in the ticket – preview it and ensure it looks good.
5.) Check your job by verifying against the checklist provided in Design Desk job template
Add checkboxes once you’d checked each item
6.) Navigate back to Jira and update the ticket
Add an “internal comment” with relevant info
If your design is complete according to the specifications ordered by the customer, then change the workflow to “Design Complete - Design QA” status
The QA team (David Ellis) will review, and either approve the job and communicate with the customer or send the job back to you for revisions – noted in the workflow status
Note: Only the QA team or your management will communicate directly with customers – your role is to provide accurate and timely designs – and keep your Jira tickets updated.
3.) Continue checking the ticket until it’s marked complete.
Reference Materials if you need help:
Refer to the EverBright training material
When logged into the organization – access “EverBright Training” and refer to materials like the user guide or spec sheets for guidance.
Refer to installer knowledge base, which has details about every phase in the platform, here: https://sighten.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/SS/overview?homepageId=35358