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This is a guide through the various steps you'll go through in designing, purchasing and setting up your solar system. We'll go into all the main details and what you should be aware of as you go through the process.
1. Design Stage
a. Measure the site. Make sure to have the roof or ground area where the installation will be mapped out. This can be done on site by taking tape or laser measurements, on google maps using the distance tool, or something similar. Sketch this out so that it can be communicated with Renvu, any Installers you may work with, and the local building authority.
b. Discuss your installation with your local building authority or authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). The AHJ will have the final say on local solar regulations such as setbacks, national electric code (NEC) interpretation, and any other general requirements. Note that if a permitting package is purchased, it will be the main document submitted to the AHJ to approve the PV system installation.
c. Discuss installation with utility. Ask about how it may change your billing structure. If a PV permit package is purchased, it will have most if not all of the necessary information for the PV installation submission such as a single line diagram.
d. Create a design/quote with the Solar Kit Guide. This will allow you to see what equipment is needed for your installation along with pricing to make accurate financial decisions. If you need assistance please see this video on how to use the Solar Kit Guide and feel free to contact the sales/engineering team at Renvu.
e. Once a quote is created with the SKG, be sure to edit and fine-tune the quote in the project section. You may need additional equipment, or the SKG may have provided some extra equipment that you may not need based on the site. The SKG does a great job at providing you a general system that will work for most installations. However, it will be up to you to make the final edits on the project before purchase. Again, if assistance is needed, be sure to contact the sales team at Renvu.
2. Just Before Purchase
a. Once ready to make the purchase, give the quote one final check to make sure you are purchasing everything you need. Make sure to refresh the quote for sale prices too! You will have the final say on what is purchased, so please be sure to check with the sales team if you need help understanding what a certain item is for.
b. Be sure that the billing and shipping address on the quote is correct. It will be difficult to change this after a purchase has been made and the processing or shipment of the item is already taking place. Changing the address after your order has shipped can cause extra charges by the shipping company, so be sure to double check everything!
c. Decide whether or not to have the equipment shipped or picked up. If pickup is requested (termed as a Will Call order), be sure to check with the sales team to see if this can be arranged.
d. If the equipment is shipping to you, decide on whether or not to purchase shipping insurance. This is highly recommended for shipments that include PV modules or rails, as these items have a higher likelihood of damage during shipment when compared to other equipment. It also means that claims are processed faster and replacement equipment can ship out within a few days at no extra cost to you. Note that without shipping insurance, it will be up to you to file any possible claim with the shipping company, and the claim can take 6-8 weeks to resolve. We've started offering 3rd party shipping insurance through UPS due to this reason.
e. If you plan to make further purchases in the future, please consider getting the MW club for free shipping on all purchases.
3. Place Order
a. Let the sales team know that you wish to make a purchase of a specific quote by contacting the team or clicking the Place Order button and going through the checkout process for the project on the website. We may have to check our inventory to see if the equipment is available so that your purchase can be made. If the equipment isn't available, we will suggest a suitable alternative, or provide you a lead time on when the equipment will be available in the future.
b. Decide on how to make the purchase. We offer payment options such as mail-in-check, wire transfer, ACH, credit card, and credit terms through Apruve. Note that credit card or Apruve purchases will cancel the 3% cash discount applied to the quote. You can find more payment details here.
c. Submit payment. Be sure to submit a payment in the exact amount listed as the total for the Sales Order. Also, if you are planning to order more than one project within the same period of time, please make sure to submit individual payments for each sales order. We cannot accept a single payment for multiple sales orders at once.
4. Waiting for Delivery
a. After placing your order, we will await payment to arrive before processing can begin. Based on the payment method this can affect your lead time. Received checks will take 2 days to clear before we can begin processing the order. Wire, ACH, and Apruve orders can take up to a day to clear before processing begins. An approved credit card transaction will begin processing instantly.
b. There is always at least a 2 business day processing time from when Renvu receives payment, to when the equipment ships out or is ready to pick up. This is so the warehouse(s) can get the equipment packed up and ready for your shipment.
c. Once the equipment is shipped out tracking information will be emailed out to you. Shipping times can vary based on your location. Generally, west coast shipments will be about 1-3 business days. East coast shipments can take up to 5-7 business days. We are currently expanding our presence in the East Coast, so this lead time may be shorter in the near future.
d. In total, an order can take anywhere from 3 business days to about 2 weeks to arrive based on your location and method of payment.
5. Receiving the Delivery
a. When receiving delivery, be sure to inspect the equipment right away. Make sure everything is there. Ensure the equipment is not damaged. If anything is off, note it down with the delivery driver, and submit a claim on the sales order page online or simply call the sales team so we can have the issue rectified right away. The sooner this is done, the better.
a. Measure the site. Make sure to have the roof or ground area where the installation will be mapped out. This can be done on site by taking tape or laser measurements, on google maps using the distance tool, or something similar. Sketch this out so that it can be communicated with Renvu, any Installers you may work with, and the local building authority.
b. Discuss your installation with your local building authority or authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). The AHJ will have the final say on local solar regulations such as setbacks, national electric code (NEC) interpretation, and any other general requirements. Note that if a permitting package is purchased, it will be the main document submitted to the AHJ to approve the PV system installation.
c. Discuss installation with utility. Ask about how it may change your billing structure. If a PV permit package is purchased, it will have most if not all of the necessary information for the PV installation submission such as a single line diagram.
d. Create a design/quote with the Solar Kit Guide. This will allow you to see what equipment is needed for your installation along with pricing to make accurate financial decisions. If you need assistance please see this video on how to use the Solar Kit Guide and feel free to contact the sales/engineering team at Renvu.
e. Once a quote is created with the SKG, be sure to edit and fine-tune the quote in the project section. You may need additional equipment, or the SKG may have provided some extra equipment that you may not need based on the site. The SKG does a great job at providing you a general system that will work for most installations. However, it will be up to you to make the final edits on the project before purchase. Again, if assistance is needed, be sure to contact the sales team at Renvu.
2. Just Before Purchase
a. Once ready to make the purchase, give the quote one final check to make sure you are purchasing everything you need. Make sure to refresh the quote for sale prices too! You will have the final say on what is purchased, so please be sure to check with the sales team if you need help understanding what a certain item is for.
b. Be sure that the billing and shipping address on the quote is correct. It will be difficult to change this after a purchase has been made and the processing or shipment of the item is already taking place. Changing the address after your order has shipped can cause extra charges by the shipping company, so be sure to double check everything!
c. Decide whether or not to have the equipment shipped or picked up. If pickup is requested (termed as a Will Call order), be sure to check with the sales team to see if this can be arranged.
d. If the equipment is shipping to you, decide on whether or not to purchase shipping insurance. This is highly recommended for shipments that include PV modules or rails, as these items have a higher likelihood of damage during shipment when compared to other equipment. It also means that claims are processed faster and replacement equipment can ship out within a few days at no extra cost to you. Note that without shipping insurance, it will be up to you to file any possible claim with the shipping company, and the claim can take 6-8 weeks to resolve. We've started offering 3rd party shipping insurance through UPS due to this reason.
e. If you plan to make further purchases in the future, please consider getting the MW club for free shipping on all purchases.
3. Place Order
a. Let the sales team know that you wish to make a purchase of a specific quote by contacting the team or clicking the Place Order button and going through the checkout process for the project on the website. We may have to check our inventory to see if the equipment is available so that your purchase can be made. If the equipment isn't available, we will suggest a suitable alternative, or provide you a lead time on when the equipment will be available in the future.
b. Decide on how to make the purchase. We offer payment options such as mail-in-check, wire transfer, ACH, credit card, and credit terms through Apruve. Note that credit card or Apruve purchases will cancel the 3% cash discount applied to the quote. You can find more payment details here.
c. Submit payment. Be sure to submit a payment in the exact amount listed as the total for the Sales Order. Also, if you are planning to order more than one project within the same period of time, please make sure to submit individual payments for each sales order. We cannot accept a single payment for multiple sales orders at once.
4. Waiting for Delivery
a. After placing your order, we will await payment to arrive before processing can begin. Based on the payment method this can affect your lead time. Received checks will take 2 days to clear before we can begin processing the order. Wire, ACH, and Apruve orders can take up to a day to clear before processing begins. An approved credit card transaction will begin processing instantly.
b. There is always at least a 2 business day processing time from when Renvu receives payment, to when the equipment ships out or is ready to pick up. This is so the warehouse(s) can get the equipment packed up and ready for your shipment.
c. Once the equipment is shipped out tracking information will be emailed out to you. Shipping times can vary based on your location. Generally, west coast shipments will be about 1-3 business days. East coast shipments can take up to 5-7 business days. We are currently expanding our presence in the East Coast, so this lead time may be shorter in the near future.
d. In total, an order can take anywhere from 3 business days to about 2 weeks to arrive based on your location and method of payment.
5. Receiving the Delivery
a. When receiving delivery, be sure to inspect the equipment right away. Make sure everything is there. Ensure the equipment is not damaged. If anything is off, note it down with the delivery driver, and submit a claim on the sales order page online or simply call the sales team so we can have the issue rectified right away. The sooner this is done, the better.
b. If you must submit a claim, please keep in mind the clearer this information is communicated, the easier a claim will go through. Pictures of the equipment and delivery receipt will be required.
c. We highly recommend to never refuse a delivery! This will cause issues when attempting to reship an order or submitting a claim (because then you'd be at the mercy of the shipping company to provide what was damaged and to what degree). It is better for you to directly communicate any issues that come up with our team rather than sending any equipment back with the freight forwarder.
6. Installation
a. Be sure to read the installation manuals for the equipment on the sales order page or with the manufacturer. The best installation manuals to pay attention to are from the Racking and Inverter manufacturers. The PV module manufacturer may have some additional information on installation you will want to check. You can find this information on Renvu's website, along with the manufacturer's website. You can go to My Projects and find datasheets/manuals for all the product you purchased at the very bottom of the page of your order. You may be able to find installation videos online as well.
b. Be sure to involve a licensed/insured electrician for the inverter installation. This involves standard AC wiring techniques that are best performed by an experienced electrician. Not all electricians are familiar with Solar, however, so please be aware of this when looking for an electrician in your area. You may have to look for someone who is willing to learn new equipment.
7. Testing Your System
a. When commissioning the system, be sure to go through all the steps the installation guide provides. If you run into any issues, contact the inverter manufacturer for assistance. They will be the most qualified to help you through this process.
b. If you need assistance from the Renvu team, be sure to provide information about the system. Most commissioning steps require you to create a map of the system with the serial number of each panel or microinverter to setup. You may need to provide this to Renvu so that we can assist you, so please have that prepared.
c. Once the system is commissioned, be sure everything is working correctly. The panels should be producing near their max output in midday when the sun is out. If something is off, be sure to check wire connections, if there are any local shading issues that can be addressed, or if any of the equipment appears damaged after installation. If any warranty claim must be enacted, it will be best to gather as much data about the system's functionality through the monitoring platform provided by the installer. It may be necessary to watch the monitoring system for a few weeks to determine if there are any ongoing issues that can be quickly addressed.
8. Run Your Solar System
a. If everything went to plan, enjoy the system! Let us know what you think of the new installation. How much did it save you on your electric bill? Send us pictures of the equipment and let Renvu know what you think of the design, purchasing and installation process. We want to learn from your installation so that we can help you with any future questions and so that we can provide better assistance to the next customer. So any comments or questions about the system after the installation would be appreciated.
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