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Energy Backup: M1 & M2 Requirements

This article outlines M1 & M2 documentation requirements

Updated today

Installation

Installation is the first major operational milestone. The Certified Developer is signaling to LightReach that installation is physically complete, and accurate documentation has been uploaded.

Installation(M1) Requirements for Energy Back-up system:

  • Existing System

    • Confirm if there is an existing solar system on site

      • Manufacturer type, model & quantity

      • AC system size (kW)

    • Photos requirements

      • PV Array

        • Satellite imagery 'OR' Photo from site

      • BOS on site

        • Equipment pullback

          • AC Disco (fused), Combiner/Inverter, etc.

  • System Details

    • New Battery AC system size (kW)

    • Manufacturer type, model & quantity

  • Monitoring & System Settings

    • System maintainer access must be established for all projects regardless of PTO status

    • Site creation required even if system is not yet commissioned

  • Permit

  • Utility Bill

  • Design Package Documents

    • Plan Set (Should show existing system details)

      • Existing System Site Map & Layout (if applicable)

      • One line / 3 line electrical schematics

        • Point of Interconnection

          • OCPD size

      • Wire schedule

      • Manufacturer spec sheet

  • Install Photo Documents

  • Expected Inspection & PTO dates

  • Incentive Documents - Not applicable at this time

(SD) System Details & Site Qualification

Item

What We're Checking For

SD1

Contract Details

  • System size within tolerance (Lease)*

  • (I/A) Battery tab match what was installed

  • (I/A) Adders match what was installed

SD2

Battery Details

  • Manufacturer type, model & quantity

  • AC system size (kW)

SD3

Site Qualifying

(A) Administrative

Item

What We're Checking For

A1

Battery Monitoring Portal Site ID

A2

Permits

  • Approved permit is provided (Status must be approved/issued)

  • Scheduled Inspection Date & Expected PTO Date Input (Required)

  • Scope of the permit is for the battery install

  • Address matches installation site

  • (I/A) Permit affidavit provided (Not common)

A3

Utility Bill

  • Utility bill is a mandatory requirement at M1 for all markets.

A4

Approved Interconnection Agreement

  • Documents submitted for CA

(D) Design Package Documents

Item

What We're Checking For

D1

Planset

  • AC System size (kW) matches vs what was installed on site

  • Module manufacturer matches vs what was installed on site

  • Battery components matches vs what was installed on site

  • Planset is accurate vs what was installed on site

  • All equipment on AVL

  • Existing System Site Map & Layout (if applicable)

  • One line / 3 line electrical schematics

    • Point of Interconnection

      • OCPD size

  • Wire schedule

  • Manufacturer spec sheet

(IP) Install Photo Documentation

Item

What We're Checking For

IP1

Project Site

IP2

Existing System

  • PV Array

    • Satellite imagery 'OR' Photo from site

  • BOS on site

    • Inverter label

    • Equipment pullback

    • AC Disco (fused), Combiner/Inverter, etc.

  • Installed according to manufacturer specifications/code

IP3

Electrical

IP4

Storage

IP5

Commissioning

Activation

Activation is the second operational milestone (M2). This signals to LightReach that the system is complete and active, communicating, and all required documentation has been uploaded.

Activation (M2) Requirements include:

  • Monitoring & System Settings

    • State of charge & settings

    • System operating as 'normal' with no errors

  • PTO Documentation

  • Incentive Documents - Not applicable at this time

  • Conditional Approval / Site Improvement

    • Any pending MPU & related photos/documents

(A) Administrative

Item:

What We're Checking For:

A1

Battery Monitoring Portal Site ID

A2

Proof of Permission to Operate

  • Approved PTO is provided (Status must be approved/issued)

  • PTO letter specifics battery AC system size (kW) and matches vs what was installed on site

  • Address matches installation site

  • (I/A) PTO affidavit provided (Not common)

  • PTO Granted Date entered

A3

Utility Bill

  • Utility bill is a mandatory requirement for all markets (will be automatically carried over if uploaded to M1)

A4

Approved Interconnection Agreement

  • Documents submitted for CA

A5

Conditional Approval / Site Improvement

  • Any pending documents / pictures for conditionally approved items at M1

  • MPU & related photos/documents

All requirements must be satisfied to achieve M1 & M2. Requirements are uniform across our ecosystem, however conditional approvals are M1 approvals which grant leniency to submit certain missing or incomplete items at M2. Conditional approvals are automatically provided where reasonably possible - LightReach does not grant exceptions by request.

  • May qualify for Conditional approval consideration: Minor missing uploads or basic installation fixes solved with a site visit

  • Will not qualify for Conditional approval consideration: Code violations, or violations of manufacturer specification, egregious workmanship issues, high submission error rates, etc.

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