Version 1.0
November 2015 1
I
NSTALLER
I
NFORMATION
P
ACKET
Thank you for participating in the Mass Solar Loan Program. This information packet includes: • Installer Quick Start Guide with step-by-step instructions for participating in the program • Mass Solar Loan Online Portal Guide
Version 1.0
November 2015 2
I
NSTALLER
Q
UICK
S
TART
G
UIDE
1. Read and review the Program Manual. The Program Manual details the specifics of the Mass Solar Loan Program and includes all relevant rules for installers, residents and lenders to participate in the program. The Program Manual is available at: www.masssolarloan.com.
2. Register to participate in the program via the Mass Solar Loan Portal. Installers that have previously received Expedited Installer status under MassCEC programs will be permitted to submit applications without restrictions. Non-expedited installers will be required to proceed through the Crawl Before You Walk steps listed in Attachment D of the Program Manual in order to participate in the program.
3. Inform potential participating residents about the Mass Solar Loan Program. Program description documents and a list of approved lenders are provided at www.masssolarloan.com.
4. Sign a turnkey solar contract, which must be contingent on the resident receiving a loan from an approved Mass Solar Loan lender.
5. Submit a Technical Application through the Mass Solar Loan Portal. See Installer Portal Step-by-Step Instructions below for a walkthrough guide to using the portal.
6. Once the Technical Application has been approved, a Technical Confirmation document will be sent via email. The resident should present the Technical Confirmation to one or more participating lenders to apply for a Mass Solar Loan.
7. After the lender reserves Program Loan Support in the portal and closes the loan, the lender will disburse 35 percent of the loan funds via a two-party check to both the resident and the installer.
8. Installers should proceed with constructing the solar project. Once the system is interconnected to the grid, installers will upload project completion documents to the Solar Loan Portal. Detailed instructions for this step are provided in the Installer Portal Step-by-Step Instructions below.
9. After final review and approval of the project completion documents, MassCEC will inform the lender to proceed with the final disbursement of the loan amount via a two-party check.
Version 1.0
November 2015 3
I
NSTALLER
P
ORTAL
S
TEP
-
BY
-S
TEP
I
NSTRUCTIONS
C
REATING A
T
ECHNICAL
A
PPLICATION
This guide shows the steps for creating Technical Applications for residents with signed Turnkey Contracts (which are contingent on getting approved for a loan). Contact MassCEC at [email protected] if you would like to submit a Technical Application for a Community Shared Solar project.
Step 1: Technical Application List Tab
The first screen an installer will see after logging in is the Technical Application List page displayed below. From this page, an installer can search for and modify projects they have already entered into the portal. They can also create a new Technical Application by clicking the Add New button at the top of the page.
Version 1.0
November 2015 4
Step 2: Installer Tab
After clicking Add New you will be brought to the Installer Tab. This tab includes information previously submitted as part of the registration process.
• If you are not using a subcontractor on the project, click Save and Next at the bottom of the page to confirm your installer information and proceed to the next tab.
If you are using a Subcontractor on the project, uncheck the No Subcontractor box and click the Add New button that appears. Select a subcontractor from a pre-approved list or input information about the subcontractor if they are not on the existing list. If entering a new subcontractor, click Save within the pop-up window. Then click Save and Next at the bottom of the Installer Tab to proceed to the next step.
Version 1.0
November 2015 5
Step 3: Customer Tab
Input the first name, last name, phone number and email address of the System Owner into the Customer Tab. Please ensure the customer email is accurate, as it will be used for all program communications with the customer.
Select one of the three buttons indicating the system type and/or location:
• Located on the System Owner’s Property • A Community Shared Solar (CSS) Project
• One of multiple systems tied to a single common meter
Clicking on the appropriate button will open new fields for inputting more information about the System Owner. Enter the information about the system owner’s address and other information requested in the drop down.
Click Save and Next at the bottom of the page to proceed to the next tab.
Version 1.0
November 2015 6
Step 4: Site Tab
In the Site Tab, enter information about the utility, the customer’s meter number and utility rate code. Additionally, select the system type and mounting method. If the system site does not have a residential rate code, you will be asked to submit information explaining why this is the case (an Assessor’s card will also be required to verify that the property is residential).
Please note that the meter number and rate code should match the information on the submitted utility bill.
After entering the information, click Save and Next in order to proceed to the Equipment Tab.
Version 1.0
November 2015 7
Step 5: Equipment Tab
The Equipment Tab allows installers to input information about the proposed PV system. This section will generate an automated analysis that compares the proposed system output to program requirements.
1. Click the Add Inverter button to begin building the system profile. A box will open and allow you to select the quantity, manufacturer and model of the system inverter/s. After entering this information, click the Save button next to the Weighted Efficiency field. An Add Array button will then appear.
2. Click the Add Array button to create an array that will be associated with the saved inverter/s. A box will open that allows you to enter the panel manufacturer and model, as well as the number of panels and mounting/tracking method. Enter the Tilt, Azimuth, and Shading information. Please note that the Shading (%) field is the total percent of the system that is shaded. Based on the azimuth, tilt, and shading percentage, the portal will calculate the Proposed-Actual/Optimal Percentage (which must be above 70%), Click the Show Result button. Once the values populate, click Save.
After saving the array, you can add other arrays to the existing inverter or add other inverters with more arrays. Once you have completed entering the information about the system in the Equipment Tab, press the Save and Next button to advance to the next tab.
Version 1.0
November 2015 8
Step 5: Loan Tab
In the Loan Tab, enter the Anticipated Project Cost and indicate if the homeowner will be applying for Income Based Loan Support (IBLS). If ‘Yes’ is selected for IBLS, the portal will send a unique link to the homeowner’s email that will allow them to apply for IBLS with a third-party income verifyier. Click the Save and Next button to advance to the Documents Tab.
Version 1.0
November 2015 9
Step 6: Documents Tab
Upload the required documents into the portal. For each required document, click the upload symbol on the right hand side of the screen. Enter the required information in the dialog box and upload the appropriate document. Each Technical Application will require a Shading Analysis, an Aerial Site Photograph, and a Utility Bill. Additional documentation may be required based on the specifics of the project.
To utilize the e-signature feature of the Mass Solar Loan portal, once all documents have been uploaded, simply click Save and Submit at the bottom of the page. Emails will be sent to you and your customer with instructions for e-signing the Solar Loan Program Technical Application. If you are having trouble receiving emails from the Portal please check your junk mail box.
If your customer would prefer not to use the e-signature option, check the box for Applicant opts for signing documents manually, then click Save and Submit. This will generate a document that you and your customer can print, sign, scan, and re-upload into the portal.
Once signed, the Mass Solar Loan Portal will either: • Approve the Technical Application and send the
customer a Technical Confirmation that they can take to a participating lender.
• Send the customer information about income verification if they are applying for Income Based Loan Support.
• Flag the Technical Application for manual review and approval by MassCEC staff.
Version 1.0
November 2015 10
P
ROJECT
C
OMPLETION
A
PPROVAL
Once you have completed the project, log into the Mass Solar Loan Portal to provide the final system information. Approval of the project completion documents will be required in order for lenders to release the remaining balance of the loan funds.
Step 1: Login
Login to the portal and find the appropriate application in your list of customers. Clicking the edit button on the right hand side of the screen (the pencil icon) will take you to the appropriate application. Projects in the ‘Loan Support
Application Approved’ status are eligible to begin submitting project completion information.
Version 1.0
November 2015 11
Step 2: Site Tab
On the Site Tab, enter the date in service and the initial meter read for the system. Click Save and Next to proceed to the Equipment Tab.
Version 1.0
November 2015 12
Step 3: Equipment Tab
In the Equipment Tab, you will enter the final system specifications. The tab will initially display a copy of the original equipment as the ‘installed’ specifications.
If there were changes to the system please update the equipment listed as installed. Changes to inverters can be made and saved on this screen. In order to adjust arrays, click the edit button (pencil icon) next to the arrays and input the appropriate information.
Click the drop-down on the right side of the screen to toggle from the proposed system specs to the installed system specs screen at any time.
Please note that updating the array information will require submission of an updated shading analysis. Once the installed equipment has been updated, click Save and Next.
Version 1.0
November 2015 13
Step 4: Loan Tab
Input the final system cost into the Loan tab and click the Calculate button. After the final program loan support amounts have been calculated, click Save and Next.
Note that the final system cost should match what is indicated in the Final Executed Contract or Invoice documentation.
Version 1.0
November 2015 14
Step 5: Documents Tab
Upload any other required documentation in the Documents Tab and click the Save & Submit button in the lower right-hand corner of the page. If you or the customer cannot sign electronically, be sure to click the manual signature box at the bottom of the page. This will allow you to download the
completion summary and subsequently upload the fully signed version.
If the completion summary is signed by all parties electronically, the document will be automatically submitted to the portal for MassCEC review. Once the project completion documentation has been reviewed and is approved, the MassCEC will notify the lender to disburse the remaining loan amount.
Version 1.0
Version 1.0
November 2015 16
R
EQUIRED
D
OCUMENTS
C
HECKLIST
At Technical Application
Complete Technical Applications for each project must include all of the following:
