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Palmetto LightReach Design Validation

In this article: 

This article refers to Design Validation with LightReach options for designs created by the Solo design team. To learn more about pre-check validation with designs created through Solo Studio, see this article here! 


What is Design Validation for?

A design verification stipulation exists when the Solo system has determined that the design needs to be verified, allowing both the Solo and Palmetto LightReach teams to collaborate and address them prior to NTP. This process is designed to address any potential concerns upfront and minimize operational friction post-sale. It is a proactive approach that minimizes the risk of delays, post-installation issues, and ensures a smooth transition from project initiation to completion. By adding a validation step, you will see a reduction in change orders, eliminate the need for production validation pre-installation, and stabilize commission payments. This means you can focus on what you do best – providing exceptional customer service – without unnecessary administrative hurdles.

 


Design Validation Process

  1. Once your proposal is configured with the design and pricing that you'd like, you and your customer will submit the credit application. 
  2. Once the application is approved, the system will check to see if design validation is needed. 
  3. If design validation is needed, the quote will be flagged with a stipulation on both the proposal and in the Palmetto portal.

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  4. While our team is reviewing the design, your proposal will be locked and the following features will be disabled: 
    1. Changes to system design (toggling panels on and off) 
    2. Module and inverter selection
    3. DirectDesign
    4. Shade adjustments
  5. Your proposal will either pass or fail design validation. You will be notified for both instances:
    1. Pass: The design meets Palmetto's compliance requirements and no further action is required! 
    2. Fail: The design did not meet Palmetto's compliance requirements and our team had to make adjustments for the design to meet requirements. A change order will be required.
  6. Once design validation is complete, the proposal will be unlocked and the stipulation status will update. 

 

If failed:

If the design did not meet Palmetto's compliance requirements, the design validation has failed and additional action is needed.

In this case, Solo's validation team will make the needed adjustments to the design to ensure it meets requirements. These changes will be clearly communicated to you through the customer chat. 

At that point, a change order will be required: 

  1. Open the LightReach quote by clicking 'Qualify' on the proposal.
  2. Click the 'Change Order' button. This will only populate if DV was not passed. 

    LR Change Order Button

Initiating the change order will: 

  • Void the existing quote and contract
  • Update the quote to match the changes made during validation (in both Solo and the Palmetto portal)
  • Create new documents to be signed. 

The change order MUST be initiated from the Solo proposal that the qualification was submitted from. If the quote is voided and adjusted from only the Palmetto LightReach portal, the customer will become out of sync with the Solo proposal which may cause errors. 

Please note: If any design changes are made after design validation is complete and/or after the change order is submitted, the job will need to re-enter the design validation process. 

 


What Triggers Design Validation? 

For Palmetto proposals, Design Validation is triggered when a design is created by or adjusted by a non-Solo party. This means that design validation is needed when: 

  • A design is created through Solo Studio, not by a Solo designer. 
  • Changes* have been made to a Solo-created design. 
  • Changes* have been made to a design created through Solo Studio, after it has already been validated. 
  • Solo does not have 3D data/DSM for the location of the home.

*Proposal design changes, made through DirectDesign, that can trigger design validation include:

  • Shade % changes
  • Azimuth changes
  • Tilt changes
  • Adding a new array

 


Frequently Asked Questions

How will I know when Design Validation is complete? 

You can check the status of your design's validation by opening the Stipulations modal from the quote on the proposal. The status will either be Complete or Pending (change order required). 

LR_DesignStipComplete_StipulationsPage

 

 

Can I modify the proposal or design while the validation stipulation is still unresolved?

No. Until the design verification is completed by an internal member of our proposal team, you will be unable to modify the design of the proposal. There will be a persisting snackbar message at the top of the proposal informing you of this.

The following features will not be accessible while the proposal is locked:

  • System Design

  • Module and Inverter selection (batteries can still be updated)

  • Direct Design functionality (edit button on the design page)

  • Shade inside of system details

 

Do I need to wait until the design validation is complete before sending the Palmetto TPO contract for signature?

No, you can send the contract prior to the completion of design validation. However, if a change order is required, any existing documents will be voided and need to be re-signed. 

 

Can I remove a design stipulation by voiding my customer's quote in Palmetto?

No, a LightReach design stipulation cannot be removed by voiding a customer’s quote in Palmetto. Design stipulations can only be removed by Solo after the proposal completes Design Validation. If the proposal completes Design Verification and is determined to need a change order, the stipulation will only be removed once the Change Order button in the Qualify modal is clicked.

 

Why is the design locked while design validation is being completed?

While it can cause some frustration, locking design features is necessary during design validation. Think of it in terms of design versions:

  • Solo is validating a single design version (the most current at the time of application submission).

  • Once that version has been changed, it is no longer considered a validated design. 

  • Locking design features ensures that changes to the design version aren’t being made while Solo is actively validating it. 

  • This avoids overlap between a Solo designer reviewing the design and an external user making changes to the design they’re reviewing. 

 

What if my customer has made, or is planning on making, changes to the shade environment (tree removal/trimming)?

Occasionally, the imagery that Solo uses is not up-to-date with current site conditions. If trees were recently removed or trimmed, or are planning to be removed or trimmed, our designers will not be able to replicate those changes to the site, unless explicitly informed. Please ensure you upload images indicating these changes in the customer files before submitting the application.