HOW TO GET STARTED
Want a solar panel system at the lowest cost?
START SOLAR DESIGN
Like any home improvement project, successful completion is based on a good design plan. As the old
construction adage says, it is better to measure twice, and cut only once.
A PV or photovoltaic solar panel system design will be required to obtain permit approval from the local
building department, as well as permission to operate by the local utility.
Anyone can design a solar system. You can Do-It-Yourself (DIY) or hire us. A solar design is provided at no
charge with the solar kits offered by Sunwatts, 5 kW or greater. SunWatts Solar Designs help you avoid
mistakes, and make an informed, unbiased decision to find the best system at the lowest cost.
4 STEP SOLAR DESIGN PROCESS
A good design follows four easy steps, beginning with gathering all the requirements for the project. A bad
design starts with specific brands, solar panels, or inverters. Here is a list of the topics covered in a professional
solar design.
STEP 1: Project Requirements
✔ Analysis or estimate of monthly energy use (kWh) and costs for most recent 12 months
✔ Assessment of roof or property site, including dimensions, shading, obstructions, slope, tilt, azimuth direction
toward Sun, local snow load, wind speed, and exposure category
✔ Evaluation of current electrical setup, including the location and size of circuit breaker box(s) and existing
wires
✔ Review of local permit or utility requirements, including homeowner association HOA
✔ Owner requirements for aesthetics or location of the system
STEP 2: System Size and Layout
✔ Solar PV system sizing options (e.g. how many watts of solar are needed now and desired in the future)
✔ Estimated solar energy production scenarios (e.g. how many kWh or kilowatts hours will be produced using
PVwatts)
✔ Solar array site plan, including the location of all components
✔ Design layout options and preliminary engineering for rooftop or ground mount configuration
STEP 3: Compare Solar Panel Systems
✔ Solar panel and inverter compatibility options
✔ Best price wholesale cost estimates for all equipment from your choice of manufacturers
✔ Easily compare systems side-by-side to evaluate price, performance, quality and compatibility
✔ Tax credit, rebate, and incentive summary
✔ Calculate expected payback, lifetime savings, and ROI
STEP 4: Final Plan
✔ Site plan, including the location of all components and setbacks
✔ Electrical specifications, single-line drawing - wiring diagram, with NEC required labels and calculations
✔ Engineering specifications for layout and mounting with all required calculations
✔ Product specifications for solar panels, inverters, mounting and electrical components
✔ Final purchase order and list of materials
✔ 10 to 20 page Solar PV System Permit Plan, printable on 11x17 paper
✔ OPTIONAL: Electrical or structural engineer review and stamps as required by building department or utility.
