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DOE: Site Eligibility

Brian - PLR Product Ops avatar
Written by Brian - PLR Product Ops
Updated over a week ago

LightReach assesses residential homes using three key construction parameters. Certified Installers are required to ensure compliance with these parameters:

  • NEPA Compliance: Flood area requirements.

  • Roofing: Type, quality, and lifespan.

  • Home Type: Style and mounting structure suitability.

Certified Installers must confirm all eligibility requirements are met before proceeding with installation.

A site may be disqualified for the following reasons:

  • Existing Solar System: Must be removed by the customer at their own expense. Failure to do so results in disqualification.

  • Disqualified Structure: Metal roof with no backing material or attached with roofing nails, properties with shared ownership, extensive structural damage, etc.

  • Solar Ready Repair Cost: Sites where the SRR cost will exceed the $3,000 limit offered by the DOE and neither the customer nor the installer is willing to cover the difference.

  • Flood Area:

    • More details below

Prioritize completing the NEPA Flood Area Procedure before further eligibility assessments. Detailed instructions can be found here.

NEPA - Flood Area Requirements

It is the responsibility of the Certified Installer to ensure all site eligibility requirements are met prior to installing.

A) Eligible Roof Types

Only the following roof types qualify for LightReach Energy Plans. Roof types not listed (e.g., wood shake, clay, tin metal) are disqualified due to maintenance and leakage risks.

Style

Approved Material

Flat Roof

  • EPDM

  • Modified Bitumen (ModBit)

  • Rolled Asphalt/Composite

  • Concrete (Exposed or Coated)

Pitched Roof

  • Asphalt Shingle

  • Metal Roofs (Corrugated or Standing Seam; appropriate mounting hardware required)

B) Eligible Roof Quality

All roofs must have a minimum lifespan of 10 years and meet the following standards:

Note: All areas of the roof impacted by the solar installation, Mounting Hardware or Conduit, should meet the applicable quality standards as outlined for the appropriate roof type.

General Standards:

  • No visible signs of damage or wear (e.g., cracks, leaks, or corrosion).

  • Properly installed with no structural defects.

  • Free of algae, moss, or debris.

  • No water stains or leakage signs inside the home.

Roof Type / Standards

Photos

Danosa Reflective ModBit

  • DANOSA provides a 25 year warranty which we want to preserve for the customer.

  • DANOSA does not permit roof penetrations unless they are installed with E-Curbs.

    • This includes conduit support penetrations as well as the array attachments.

    • Jobs installed after 6/2/25 require E-Curbs on all penetrations

      • or

    • A letter from the original roof installer stating that the current method of installation has not voided the existing warranty.

Asphalt Shingle

  • No granule loss, curling, cracking, or missing shingles.

  • No exposed fiberglass, nails, or blistering.

  • Installation meets industry specifications.

Click for details

  • Roof is clear of obvious signs of heavy age or wear and tear

    • Major granule loss, exposed fiberglass, blistering/peeling, or exposed nails

    • Curled, cracked, broken or missing shingles

    • Missing shingles in the field or along the hips/ridges

    • Excessive settling of structure

  • Roof is correctly installed without obvious signs of defects

    • Exposures are correct

    • Offsets are correct and within manufactures specifications (or meeting standard industry application)

  • Material is clear of algae and moss

  • Water stains inside the home

Click for examples

Metal

  • Free of rust, corrosion, loose or damaged panels, and improperly installed fasteners.

  • Tight seams and no warping or buckling.

Click for details

  • Roof is clear of obvious signs of heavy age or wear and tear

    • Rust and Corrosion - no holes or obvious signs of excessive pitting or flaking

    • Loose, Missing, or Damaged Panels

    • Holes or Dents - from hail, falling debris, or extreme weather

    • Fasteners are properly installed and performing - not rusted or

    • Fasteners are water tight (with applied sealant or in place grommets)

  • Roof is correctly installed without obvious signs of defects

    • Roof is properly supported - pearling placement is important and should be documented

    • Seams are tight and properly locked

    • There are no signs of Warping or Buckling

    • Metal is minimum 26 thickness

  • Corrugated roof installs will require the roof sheets to be installed with screws as the fasteners. Metal roofs attached with nails are not an acceptable mounting location. Wind speed concerns etc

  • These metal roofs will also need to have some form of backing and waterproofing material. (plywood or equivalent) Metal roofs installed directly on the ceiling joists and visible from the inside of the structure are disqualified. Note the large spaces between supports on the second and third examples

  • Material is clear of algae and moss

  • Water stains inside the home

Click for examples

EPDM

  • Surface Wear and Tear - includes surface cracking, shrinkage, or blistering, often exacerbated by extreme weather conditions and UV exposure

  • Shrinkage - flashings pulled away from the sides of the building and result in cracks and splits on the surface of the material

Click for details

  • Surface Wear and Tear - includes surface cracking, shrinkage, or blistering, often exacerbated by extreme weather conditions and UV exposure

  • Shrinkage - flashings pulled away from the sides of the building and result in cracks and splits on the surface of the material

  • Punctures and Tears - can be susceptible to punctures and tears, particularly in areas with heavy foot traffic or overhanging branches, even small punctures can lead to significant water leaks if not addressed promptly

  • Seam Separation - adhesive used on the seams can weaken, leading to gaps and potential leaks

  • Water Ponding - water ponding can begin to occur as the building shifts over time and ever-so-slightly adjusts the structure of the roof, also if the drainage needs to be improved

  • Flashing Issues - can become loose or damaged, leading to leaks

  • Environmental and Chemical Damage - algae, moss, and dirt build-up

Click for examples

Standard Modified Bitumen (SBS or APP)

  • Worn asphalt - spots/areas of surface erosion that expose underlying layers

  • Delamination - individuals layers have separated/slipped thus durability is lost

  • Tears, Cracks, Punctures - outward damage due to weather, falling debris, etc.

Click for details

  • Return of Prior Issues - original repairs not done properly or that have not held

  • Pooling - water/dirt/debris can collect in depressions and stress the roof structure

  • Loose or Raised Fasteners - from natural contraction/expansion of the materials

  • Blisters - roof bubbling created by improper adhesion during application, improper mopping viscosity, moisture in or on the felts, etc

  • Improper Initial Installation - not readily evident; due to sub-par work/materials

Click for examples

Exposed Concrete

  • Cracks and Fractures - Look for visible cracks in the concrete surface, larger cracks can lead to leaks and structural issues.

  • Water Leaks or Stains - Signs of water penetration, such as damp patches, water stains, or mold growth on the interior ceiling

  • Erosion or Spalling - chipping of concrete layers can indicate cracks taking in moistureNo cracks, exposed rebar, water damage, or sagging areas.

Click for details

  • Pooling - water/dirt/debris can collect in depressions and stress the roof structure

    • To address LIGHT ponding on roof full chem curb flashings can be used to prevent a DQ

  • Rust Stains - rust stains might indicate that the reinforcing steel (rebar) within the concrete has begun to corrode

  • Efflorescence - White, chalky deposits on the surface of the roof may indicate water penetration

  • Deterioration of Sealants - Cracked or missing sealants around joints, edges, or penetrations

  • Vegetation Growth - the presence of moss, algae, or weeds may suggest that the roof retains moisture, which can accelerate degradation.

  • Uneven or Sagging Areas - Any noticeable sagging or unevenness in the roof surface might indicate structural damage or settling of the underlying materials.

  • Exposed Reinforcement - If you see exposed rebar due to severe spalling or cracks, this is a serious issue that requires immediate attention to prevent structural failure.

Click for examples

Coated Concrete

  • Surface Discoloration - dark patches or uneven coloring on the roof, which may indicate water absorption or the beginning stages of deterioration.

Click for details

  • Chipping or Peeling Coating - If the protective layer is peeling, flaking, or bubbling, it’s a clear sign the coating was improperly applied or is of poor quality.

  • Rapid Wear in Certain Areas - sections of the roof where the coating appears thinner or more degraded, especially in areas exposed to heavy rain, wind, or foot traffic.

Click for examples

Eligible Home Types/Mounting Structures

Below are eligible mounting structures (or, eligible home types). If a structure is not present on this list, it is not eligible for LightReach Energy Plans.

Disqualified mounting structures include (but are not limited to):

  • Carports

  • Other irregular/custom structures, are not eligible due to the long term maintenance and safety risk to the customer. All structures must be residential.

Approved Type

Details

Residential, Single Family Homes

  • IE traditional detached houses

  • Residential meter, residential zoned, residential use

Detached Garage / Guest Suite

  • Generally approved, assuming full code compliance, structural stability, etc

Mounting Structure

Requirement

Azimuth Angle

  • Requirement:

    • The azimuth angle of arrays should be within ±5 degrees of the specified orientation on the plan set & proposal design.

  • Why:

    • To ensure production & plan set accuracy with respect to installation on the project site.

Tilt Angle (Pitched Roof)

  • Requirement:

    • Minimum of 5 degrees (absolute)

    • Maximum up to 45 degrees, with a flexibility margin of ±5 degrees

  • Why:

    • To attain optimal drainage and prevention of water pooling/snow accumulation on the arrays that would negatively impact production.

    • To maximize energy harvest & compensate for variations in initial design precision.

Tilt (Flat Roof)

  • Requirement:

    • Minimum of 5 degrees (absolute).

  • Why:

    • To attain optimal drainage and prevention of water pooling/snow accumulation on the arrays that would negatively impact production.

Structural Material:

  • Roof framing should be adequate material to support solar load and uplift in regional zones

  • No structural damage: Rafters, trusses, or beams should not be severely cracked or damaged

  • No ridge sagging

  • No pest/element damage: Framing material should not show insect, thermal, or water damage

Click for visual samples

A

What if the home has an existing solar system? [Second Systems vs Add-Ons]

If there is an existing solar system the customer can remove at their own expense, or Lightreach will disqualify the project.

B

Pergolas? Carports? Custom structures?

Disqualified mounting structures, such as carports, or other irregular/custom structures, are not eligible due to the long term maintenance and safety risk to the customer.

C

Commercial? Businesses?

LightReach approves only residential structures. It is the responsibility of the installer to ensure site eligibility.

Home must be residential meter, residential zoned, and residential use. Installers are advised to avoid homes which fall outside of a standard residential scope.

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