The Update: Lightreach is now available in parts of New York!

The Big Picture: New York is a key residential market for us to break into and we're launching in two steps.

• Live Now (8/12) - Upstate, Long Island/PSEG
• TBD - New York City, broader Con-Ed

The Fine Print: "Upstate" is defined as all areas outside of NYC/Long Island, and includes the following utilities:

• National Grid
• Central Hudson Gas & Electric
• New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG)
• Consolidated Edison (Con-Ed)
• Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E)
• Orange & Rockland

Upcoming new markets and market updates:

• Now: We're preparing for our initial launch for several utilities in upstate New York
• Next: Updates to pricing structure & M1 incentive requirements in Illinois will be announced ahead of statewide NEM changes
• Later: Virginia is on the radar for a launch in most major IOU utilities, following a new state law permitting TPO products. Details to follow in the coming weeks.

1. Update - Split Bus & Hot Bus panels: Article here

• NEC code prohibits use of hot bus or split bus panels for interconnection - pre install approval required to avoid M1 rejections.

2. Update - LightReach Video series on CT Installation: Article here

• Covers CT installation basics for common rejection themes based on inverter manufacturer specifications/requirements.

3. Update - Meter Adapter adder: Article here

• Tesla back up switch does not qualify as an approved adder for meter adapters.

4. Update - System losses for SolarGraf users: Article here

• DC/AC Wiring losses should be configured to 2% or 0% depending on the inverter type being used.
• String inverters need 2% DC wiring losses & 0% AC wiring losses.
• Micro inverters need 2% AC wiring losses & 0% DC wiring losses.

5. Update - Tree removal indicated at M1 submission

• If tree removal is being sought, ensure design deliverables have trees marked or a document uploaded showing which trees will be removed.
• This is to confirm that existing design is configured to ignore shading from marked trees.
• Tree removal photos/proof needed at M2 under 'site improvements' section.

Example:

6. Update - New Jersey Incentives - M2 requirement: Article here

• SREC-II certification letter is now required, EPCs can submit a screenshot of NJCEP portal showing 'Final As-Built Received' status as proof of submission for M2 approval.
• SREC-II letter shall be provided post M2 approval.

7. Refresher - Roof Quality Requirements: Article here

• For roof mounted installations, roof age should have a minimum of 10 years of remaining life span. Age & condition identifiers listed in the article.
• LightReach will reject M1 submission if the If roof condition and age criteria are not met.

8. Refresher - As built & Plan set revisions: Article here.

• As built changes at install will require updated plans. Please refer to knowledge base article linked above for details.

9. Refresher - Tesla MCI calculator: demo

• All EPCs using Tesla Inverter/PW+/PW3 need to follow the considerations below:
• MCI & Design/String sizing requirements - here

• Reach out to your Relationship Manager for your copy of the calculator.

10. Refresher - Updated photo reference with Tesla MCI & back up batteries: Article here

11. Refresher - Tesla monitoring site assignment: Article here

• Need to use 'LightReach' as company instead of 'Palmetto' that was being used earlier.

12. Refresher - Install guides & resources: Article here

• Quick guide on common misses and themes to prevent rejections.

13. Refresher - Tilt & Azimuth compliance: Article here

• Projects with contracts signed on or post 7/1/2024 - Flat roofs installations need absolute 5 degrees tilt.

14. Refresher - Tesla inverters cannot be used for a 2nd system installation with an existing system on site.

• Tesla systems cannot determine total home consumption when a previously installed 3rd party solar system is ALSO on the home (not part of the "new" installation).

15. Refresher - Physical Layout on the monitoring portal

• Needs to be accurate to site & planset.
• Panel manufacturer/model selected on the portal also needs to be accurate to planset & install on site.

16. Refresher - Incentive Details: M1 and M2 articles for relevant submission items

• Relevant incentive documents are required in select markets.

17. Refresher: Design deliverables - Article here.

• Aurora users: M1 deliverables include monthly production kWh numerical values.
• Solo users: Ensure M1 deliverables include screenshots of irradiance map & system details on all projects under 'shade report' document type.
• Other platforms: Ensure screenshots are submitted with relevant settings.

The Update: We're making three updates related to our Common Sense Consumer Compliance processes.

• 1) Postcard Mailer: Simple customer order recap postcards will be mailed to all clients at NTP. This postcard will be concise and recap many of the same Energy Plan details the customer signed off on.
• 2) Minor Update to Customer Agreement Confirmation: A simple line will be added for all new customers with disclosure information about subsidized utility rate plans.
• 3) Automated Homeowner SMS: Homeowners will receive basic automated texts from LightReach at NTP (M0), Activation (M2), and prior to their first bill.

The Big Picture: We continue to build our a Common Sense Consumer Compliance framework with practical, non-invasive measures to help reinforce key aspects of the sales process, aimed at protecting both consumers and Certified Installers. These two updates are small pieces of that broader framework. Later in July, we'll also provide additional details on disclosures for customers over the age of 65, as previewed to our Certified Installers in recent weeks.

The Fine Print: Postcard mailers are concise and feature a few key recaps of the customer's Energy Plan details. The details are consistent with the same information that customers will have already completed on their contract & Customer Agreement Confirmation. They will be mailed only once, after NTP.

The Update: Simplifying the ACH Process

• All homeowners will key in bank account info
• Instant verification on majority of accounts
• Voided check verification, if necessary, on minority of accounts
• Live for all new sales from 6/24/24

The Big Picture: We're bringing it back to basics on ACH process through uniformity across most customers. Expect easier process for reps, with reduced need for voided check photos.
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​The Details: All customers will follow the same bank account info input. Most customers will be instantly verified, with only a small portion requiring voided check verification. Effective on all new sales from 6/24/24

The Update: Minor changes to our contract and customer billing expectations have been deployed.

The Details:

• Updated customer first billing expectations with details in our installer guide here.
• Removed extraneous contract language indicating that customers could cancel after their standard 10 day 'recission period' ended for a fee.
• Removed extraneous contract language indicating that customers could remove and relocate their systems for a fee.

The Big Picture: Minor adjustments to our contract language generally happen quarterly, and are typically minor in scope. They are often used to make minor tweaks based on feedback from the field, etc. The most noteworthy update here are the technical differences in customer billing, though even this is a minor change to the status quo.

The Update: Two additional checkboxes are added to our existing Customer Agreement Confirmation.

• Utility Bill: Customers should understand they will always have a utility bill, regardless of system production.
• Production Guarantee: Our production guarantee applies to production, and does not make any claims toward savings/offset/etc.

The Big Picture: The agreement confirmation is another common sense consumer compliance mechanism we use to help reinforce high quality sales.

The Details: The Agreement Confirmation is a part of our NTP requirements. It can be completed in a matter of seconds via the customer's web portal account (home.palmetto.com) at point of sale.

The Update: Additional email notifications (including status updates for M0, M1, and M2) are now live in the LightReach portal.

The Details: Email notifications are sent to designated installer users. Installers can designate key admin contacts to receive any email notifications via your Organization settings in the LightReach portal.

The California Update: We're adding a new, formal section on the Installation Submission page to upload the Approved Interconnection Agreement.

• The Approved Interconnection Agreement is a pre-existing requirement.
• It will now have a dedicated upload slot on the Installation Submission page
• Live on: 6/3/24

The Nevada Update: Authorized EPC Signature requirement on all new contracts from 6/3/24

• New requirement from state of Nevada

• An "Authorized Signer" for your organization must be designated and set up within the LightReach portal.
• This Authorized Signer will countersign all new Nevada contracts from 6/3/24, after the customer signs.
• Ensure your organization has a dedicated, authorized signer to countersign all new contracts. Contracts will not proceed to 'Approved' status until all signatures are completed.
• Contact your LightReach Relationship Manager to set up your Authorized Signer.

3 files

1. Update - Tesla monitoring ID: Article here.

• Tesla site ID taken from back half of monitoring portal URL. See below for visual sample.

2. Update - Enphase Control Wiring & Drain Wire: Install guide from manufacturer here & here (Old).

• Control cable must be Enphase's shielded multi UL rated control cable only. 3rd party cables are not permitted. Manufacturer update here.

• Drain wire must be installed & terminated on one end of control wiring between system components.

3. Update - Power Line Filter required when 2 Enphase systems exist on the same site: Install guide from manufacturer here.

• Per Enphase, any '2nd systems' require installing a power line filter to eliminate any potential electrical noise which might disrupt system communications.
• If there is an (Existing) Enphase system and a (New) Enphase system, maintain a 12" distance between the AC conductors of the two systems, until they reach the IQ combiner and Filter.

4. Update - Illinois strict M1 deliverables: Shade report, planset, Installed layout & DC/AC size must all match exactly.

• Ensure all requirements match exactly prior to M1 submission to avoid any rejections.

5. Update - Site ID for Monitoring & Battery (if different than inverter manufacturer) at M1 milestone:

• Partners can now submit site IDs for monitoring & Battery (if different than inverter manufacturer) at M1.
• This helps LightReach provide earlier visibility to potential M2 rejection reasons, and is highly encouraged.
• As always, ensure ownership is assigned to LightReach if choosing to provide site IDs at M1.

6. Update - As built & Plan set revisions: Article here.

• As built changes at install will require updated plans. Please refer to knowledge base article linked above for details.

7. Refresher: Manufactured homes - Article here

• Manufactured homes: Are permitted only when certain conditions are met. Refer to the eligible sites article to ensure compliance prior to installation.

8. Refresher - Guidance on photo requirements: Article here.

• Photo examples available to partners on our installer articles for easy reference.

9. Refresher: Structurally detached Patio/Awning/Porches are not eligible for installation.

• Structurally detached/independent portions of a home such as porches or awnings are not suitable for PV installation.

10. Refresher - California Interconnection requirement for M1

• When submitting a package for M1 review in CA, must include the Interconnection Agreement.

11. Refresher - Incentive Details: M1 and M2 articles for relevant submission items

• Relevant incentive documents are required in select markets.

12. Refresher: HEIC file type for photos

• HEIC file types require each individual photo to be downloaded for review. To streamline the review process, please convert HEIC files to a format supported by the platform, typically JPEG, PNG, PDF.

13. Refresher: Tigo removed from AVL

• Tigo is no longer on the LightReach AVL as of Q1 2024.

14. Refresher: Design deliverables - Article here.

• Aurora users: M1 deliverables include monthly production kWh numerical values.
• Solo users: Ensure M1 deliverables include screenshots of irradiance map & system details on all projects under 'shade report' document type.
• Other platforms: Ensure screenshots are submitted with relevant settings.