The Update: We have launched the Domestic Content Calculator in the finance portal. It can be located within the M1 submission packet and Org Admins will also have access to a standalone calculator available in the "admin" drop down menu.

Making it easier to check possible combinations outside specific projects.

The Fine Print:

• For projects that are eligible for Domestic Content, The EPC will be required to confirm System Design & Domestic Content Qualification prior to full M1 package submission.

These updates can also be referenced in our
​Domestic Content - Installer Guide

Section D: ITC-DC Eligible Equipment

Domestic Content (M1) Submittal & Photo Requirements Section A: Overview

The Update: Palmetto LightReach is now accepting existing PLR partners looking to onboard their HVAC business under our Comfort Plan Program via our support chat.

• Authorized personnel may submit the Onboarding request form to PLR via below link on the bottom of the page.

The Update:

The Kansas legislature passed a bill earlier this year which requires a new Kansas Residential Solar Disclosure Form signed by our customers that went into effect July 1st.

Details:

• Will be a requirement for the M1/Installation package submission.
• This needs to be signed at least one day AFTER the contract, cannot be signed the same day
• A new disclosure will be required any time a new contract is signed in order to comply with the one day after contract signing requirement
• Check our Incentive Deliverables - M1 Milestone policy for more details.
  ​

Reminder - Minimum Equity Standard Year-End Reports due July 15, 2025.

Background: Partners operating in Illinois must submit their Minimum Equity Standard (MES) Compliance Plan annually to IL Shines.

Failure to submit by the deadline may lead to escalation and impact your standing in the Program.

Key Requirement:
Please access your submission form using the unique link and login information sent to you in an email titled “MES Year-End Report Form Open” dated 5/30/2025.

A template displaying the MES Year-End Report questions can be viewed on the Program website here.

Required data and information include:

• AV/Designee Information
• Project workforce total
• Project workforce demographic information
• Equity Eligible Person total, including proof of EEP eligibility and any supporting documentation (e.g., for
  individuals that qualify based on residency in an EIEC, proof of residency)
• Job training program graduate hiring data, Illinois-based workforce diversity data.

The Background: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law by the President on July 4th 2025. While generally negative for climate and clean technologies, the bill’s final language saw improvements to prior versions and provides a clear runway for residential TPO products.

The Highlights:

1. Business as Usual: Palmetto LightReach (and TPO in general) have a clear runway to operate business as usual until at least December 31st, 2027.
2. Shift to TPO: The 25D tax credit for ownership products will be expiring at the end of 2025. As a result, many installers may shift their financial product offerings toward TPO as we move closer to 2026. Palmetto LightReach is well capitalized and prepared for this.
3. Safe Harboring: We have enacted a strategy designed to protect Palmetto LightReach system deployments post 2027 access to retain eligibility for the tax credit values. We are monitoring the 7/7 Executive Action that focused on safe harboring. No EPC action is required in the short term, but we will provide more details as/when relevant in the future.
4. FEOC and AVL Impacts: Foreign Entity of Concern (FEOC) bill language will necessitate tighter control over equipment procurement strategies for all installers. We will need to learn more from the 7/7 Executive Action, and complete an in-depth FEOC analysis with OEMs and outside consultants to understand the full impacts (which we will update EPCs on over the coming months). However, we do not expect FEOC requirements to kick in until January 1, 2026.

What to Expect: In the coming weeks, expect more policy noise from last week’s Presidential Executive Action. In general, executive actions do not pose a direct threat to our near term access to tax credits, as they are not laws. With that in mind, don't let such noise distract you from executing on core business. PLR will provide guidance on any relevant changes.

What's Next for PLR: Lots! New markets, new products, and policy refinements designed to help partners capture more business. Check back regularly here at news.golightreach.com.

FAQ:

1. FEOC Impacts? While many details are still being flushed out, in general, installers across the industry will need to have tighter control over equipment procurement strategies. Expect more guidance on this from PLR as we move closer to 2026.
2. Domestic Content? As per our June 2025 update, ITC-DC threshold remains 45%, effective June 16, 2025, increasing to 50% in 2026. If you are installing an ITC-DC eligible bill of materials currently, the FEOC restraints are not yet of concern. However, FEOC percentages will begin being enforced in 2026.

Refresher: These inputs are kept straightforward for our partners so no one is slowed down, and securing this data at install helps us greatly in our efforts post-install.

• Battery and Monitoring Site ID
• Monitoring Portal Access (verify PV System Maintainer for Enphase)
• Expected Inspection and PTO Dates

​Key Update: Monitoring Portal Access (M1)
Monitoring portal access, including the Site ID, will now be required in the install package (M1), rather than at Activation (M2) as previously practiced.

The Background: Palmetto LightReach offers an exclusive Retail Electricity Plan in Texas, providing matched 1:1 Buyback rate for excess production. Having a competitive REP is crucial to maximizing solar value.

The Update: We've introduced plain-language disclosures to the REP sign up process, ensuring customers are aware of potential opt out implications.

Signing up for the Palmetto REP is highly recommended, and customers must confirm their understanding in order to opt out.

The Update: Rhode Island legislature passed requiring the Department of Business Regulation (DBR) to create a Solar Retailer Registration process, which went into effect on May 1, 2025

Action #1: EPC Registration w/ the State:

• Complete and submit all requirements to the State here: https://dbr.ri.gov/solar-retailers
• Requirements include comprehensive rostering, individual sales rep background checks, and ID badge requirements.
• Deadline: August 18th

Action #2: EPC Registration w/ Palmetto

• simply provide proof of submitted registration (email confirm or DBR portal screenshot).

FAQ:

1. How often does registration happen? Renews annually, however, more frequent EPC roster requirements apply. See State link above.
2. How does PLR verify completion? Registered EPCs are made visible on the State's site.
3. Does PLR care about background check contents? No--we require copies of the completed background checks to confirm completion for our records.
4. My rep is not an RI resident? Follow the instructions on the state's submission website. Non resident reps require both a state and national background check.
5. What happens if I'm late to register? Non-compliance will obligate PLR to fully disable the EPC in our portal. Additional monetary and compliance penalties may apply from the state.

The Update: LightReach will be adding two new vendors for Direct Pay

• Sunrgy: 8/1/25
• Baywa: Late August 2025

The Details: LightReach is adding two additional options for installers choosing to fund projects via the Direct Pay method. Interested partners can enroll via the Org Settings menu when chatting in and navigating to the "C) Direct Pay Settings" option.

This option can also allow partners to assign a default distributor for their pipeline or assign different distributors by state according to preference.
​

The Update: We've made a modest policy change. If one applicant has a bankruptcy, but the other is in good credit standing, the file can move forward.

The Details:

• Historically, when one co-applicant has a bankruptcy, this has been a hard stop on the credit application altogether.
• We've made a policy update which allows the entire application to move forward, if Applicant A has a bankruptcy but Applicant B is in good credit standing and fully qualifies.

The Impact: Modest, this generally affects a fringe degree of accounts whereby the applicant with a bankruptcy is needed for title purposes, for example.