The purpose of this stage is to confirm that the final CAD is buildable, follows Daylight design standards, and remains aligned with the system the customer signed for.
Step 1: Review the Site Survey
Before creating the CAD, review the site survey for:
Roof condition and measurements
Roof obstructions
Structural notes
Electrical equipment and service details
Tree and shading conditions
Any field conditions that may affect the final layout
If the site survey is incomplete or unclear, resolve the issue before submitting the CAD.
Step 2: Create the Permit-Ready CAD
Create the CAD using the site survey and Daylight’s current design guidelines.
Confirm:
Panel placement matches the available roof space
Required setbacks and fire pathways are included
Panels are not placed in avoidable shade
Equipment locations are practical and code compliant
Wire sizing and materials meet Daylight standards
String design follows manufacturer and Daylight requirements
Each string has at least five panels
Available inverter MPPTs are used appropriately
Separate azimuths are not combined on the same string
SunModo racking is not permitted.
Step 3: Confirm the Equipment
Confirm the CAD includes the correct:
Panel manufacturer, model, and quantity
Inverter manufacturer and model
Battery manufacturer, model, and quantity
Optimizers
Racking
Electrical equipment
Equipment should match the PPA Agreement whenever possible.
If the final CAD requires a different panel or battery quantity, it may still be accepted when the equipment follows Daylight standards. The final equipment entered in the portal must match the submitted CAD.
Battery and inverter sizing must also follow Daylight standards.
Examples:
Two batteries may require a 15 kW inverter
One battery may require a 12 kW inverter
Do not submit a borderline equipment configuration without first confirming it meets Daylight requirements.
Step 4: Validate the Final Design
Use your company’s design and production software to model the final CAD.
The validation design must match the CAD, including:
Roof geometry
Panel layout
Array configuration
String design
Panel, inverter, and battery equipment
Racking
Trees and shading assumptions
Use the customer’s verified monthly energy usage.
If tree removal is included in the project, model the property based on the confirmed post-removal conditions. Do not assume tree removal unless it is documented in the portal.
Step 5: Confirm the Final Metrics
Before submitting, confirm and enter the final:
System size
Panel count
Panel manufacturer and model
Inverter manufacturer and model
Battery manufacturer, model, and quantity
Year 1 production
Solar offset
Production factor
The expected thresholds are:
System size and production: within –10% to +5% of the PPA Agreement
Solar offset: 65%–120%
Production factor: at least 0.80
Low TSRF or Solar Access may require additional review, but these values alone may not automatically cause rejection.
Step 6: Upload the Required Documents
Upload the following to the CAD Design & True-Up section:
Completed site survey
Permit-ready CAD
Final production-validation document
Updated shade report
Any supporting design or equipment documents
Enter the final equipment and production information in the portal.
Make sure all uploaded documents reflect the same final design.
Step 7: Submit for Daylight Review
Before clicking Submit Package, confirm:
The CAD matches the site survey
The design is buildable
Equipment follows Daylight standards
The portal equipment matches the CAD
The production model matches the CAD
Tree-removal information is accurate
All required files are complete and readable
Daylight’s review team will recreate and validate the submitted design, confirm design compliance, and compare the final system against the PPA Agreement.
Review Outcomes
Approved
The project will be approved when:
The CAD follows Daylight standards
The site survey is complete
Equipment and portal information match
Production and system size are within the allowed range
No unresolved design issues remain
Daylight will generate the final work order and the project can move into Permitting & Interconnection.
True-Up Required
A True-Up may be required when the final system is buildable and compliant, but the system size or production is outside the allowed –10% to +5% range.
The project will be returned so the sales team can review the change and complete any required customer documents.
Do not create a new CAD unless Daylight specifically requests a design change.
CAD Rejected
The CAD will be rejected when the design cannot move forward as submitted.
Common reasons include:
Incomplete site survey
Panels placed outside Daylight standards
Incorrect equipment or wire sizing
Unsupported racking
Invalid string design
Array does not fit the roof
Tree removal required but no information provided
Offset is outside the allowed range
CAD, production model, and signed project information do not match
Daylight will provide specific rejection feedback. Correct all listed issues and submit a new CAD package.
Best Practices
Build the CAD directly from the completed site survey.
Use the same final design across the CAD, production model, shade report, and portal.
Resolve equipment and production differences before submitting.
Do not submit incomplete documents to begin the review early.
Review the full rejection message before resubmitting so every issue is corrected.
Accurate and consistent submissions reduce rejections, prevent unnecessary True-Ups, and help the project move into permitting faster.