Solar design is the process of determining the correct solar panels, inverter, batteries, string sizing, racking, electrical layout, and expected production for your property.

No. You will be responsible for submitting your own building, electrical, and utility interconnection applications. 

Your Engineered PowerPlan includes permit-ready documentation designed to meet AHJ and utility requirements.

In some jurisdictions, yes. While PowerPlan provides professional solar design plansets suitable for permitting, certain AHJs (Authorities Having Jurisdiction) require a licensed contractor of record to be listed on the permit application.

If you’re a homeowner or DIY installer, we recommend checking local permitting requirements early in the process. We’re happy to design to code—but permit submission rules vary by location.

Solar equipment is heavy—and shipping costs can add up. As a general guideline, plan for shipping to run approximately 10–15% of your total materials cost.

Actual shipping costs depend on factors like pallet count, freight class, delivery location (residential vs. commercial), and liftgate requirements. We’ll always aim to help you minimize surprises where possible.

Revisions are a normal part of the design and permitting process. Minor updates—such as small layout tweaks or AHJ comments—are typically handled quickly.

More significant changes (system size adjustments, structural changes, equipment swaps, or site condition updates) may require an additional revision fee, depending on scope. If that’s the case, we’ll clearly communicate next steps before proceeding so there are no surprises.

Some utilities require a licensed electrician for final system sign-off or approval, even if the homeowner submits the interconnection application themselves.

Utility requirements vary by service territory, so it’s important to confirm electrician involvement early—especially for grid-tied systems.

Most utilities allow the interconnection request to be submitted by one of the following: 

• The homeowner (owner-builder) 
• The installer 
• The engineer 
• A licensed electrician 

In many areas, homeowners are permitted to act as their own contractor of record for projects on their primary residence. 

This typically means: 

• You can apply for the permit yourself 
• You do not need to hire a licensed general contractor 
• You may be required to sign an Owner-Builder affidavit 
• You accept responsibility and liability for the installation  

All plans must still meet electrical and structural code and pass AHJ review.

After delivery, our team is available to help with materials ordering and general design clarification related to your PowerPlan. 

However, we cannot provide post-delivery electrical design changes, interconnection troubleshooting, or site-specific installation guidance beyond what’s included in your planset. For installation, wiring, inspections, or utility coordination, please work with your local electrician, installer, or permitting authority.

Not always. Some brands require completion of their training program to commission certain parts of a system. Enphase and FranklinWH for example.

Our PowerPlan Basic Solar Design service includes a custom solar system layout, equipment sizing and compatibility review, production estimates, shade and irradiance analysis (when applicable), inverter and battery recommendations, string sizing, and a complete bill of materials.

We also offer permit-ready plan sets and engineered drawings for projects that require them with the PowerPlan Engineered Plan Set,

Our solar design packages start at $299 for a Basic Solar Design package.

More advanced packages that include permit-ready plan sets and engineering stamps are also available.

If you purchase your equipment from US Solar Supplier, the $299 fee is credited back toward your equipment purchase.

Yes. We offer permit-ready solar plan sets that can include electrical single-line diagrams, site plans, equipment specifications, attachment details, and other documentation commonly required by building departments, HOAs, and utilities.

It depends on your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), utility, or HOA. Some residential projects only require a standard permit package, while others require engineering stamps from a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or Structural Engineer (SE). We offer both standard permit plans and engineered plan sets to meet local requirements.

Absolutely. We design off-grid solar systems for cabins, homes, workshops, agricultural buildings, and remote locations.

Our off-grid designs include proper battery sizing, inverter selection, solar array sizing, backup power considerations, and load calculations to help ensure reliable year-round performance.

Most Basic Solar Design projects are completed within 1–3 business days after we receive your project information.

Permit-ready plan sets and engineered designs typically take 5–9 business days, depending on project complexity and local requirements.

Yes. Our team designs both residential and commercial solar systems for businesses, agricultural properties, schools, nonprofits, warehouses, and other commercial applications.

We can assist with equipment selection, production modeling, battery storage, permitting, and complete commercial solar system design.