1. Expert assistance:
Sure, anyone can draft a plan set with limited information and hope the designs get approved by the county building department and the utility. But remember, you'll be left in a lurch if the evaluator rejects your plans citing building code violation and the utility kicks back seeking compliance with the electric code. This is why it's always recommended to approach comprehensive design firms who support your projects with detailed engineering and code-compliant plan sets. These companies often work in multiple jurisdictions across the country and know exactly what they're up to.
2. Fast turnaround:
It's summertime, and your hard-working sales representative is closing customer after customer. But hey, the deal could still collapse if you don’t swiftly come up with a design for the homeowner's approval followed by a permit application. Summer is arguably the busiest period in the solar business and this is when companies need to be wary of the competition. In such a stiff and competitive market, you are left with no choice but to race against time to get the deals done. And of course, you wouldn't want the permits to be the last thing stalling your projects. Now, this is where the expertise of a company like Illumine-i comes into play. They promise a turnaround time of 24 to 36 hours on an entire permit package and can help you throughout the permit process.
3. Lower cost:
As your business grows, so will the number of projects you get on a daily basis. And consequently, you’ll expand your workforce by hiring more solar designers. This may seem a straightforward task, but in reality, it is a cumbersome process as you need to hire the right personnel and provide them with adequate training. By choosing to outsource your design needs to specialist companies, you're saving valuable time and thousands of dollars.
4. High volumes:
It is usually very difficult to track the status of projects when the count keeps increasing. To make matters worse, the design layouts also keep changing based on the preference of the homeowner. And the interconnections vary from one project to another – from line side taps to main panel upgrades. Generally, the jurisdictions require a Licensed Structural Engineer and/or a Licensed Electrical Engineer's letter and stamps on the plans. In such cases, it becomes unsustainable to do it all by yourself. This is why most US solar businesses opt for external support.
5. New avenues for business:
One of the biggest advantages of having a design partner is that you can approach them whenever you need insights into new ventures. Very often do they provide additional design services such as Battery storage systems, EV charger systems, and Solar Thermal systems, which could help you forge a close partnership with them and find a way to prosper together.
So, these are the top 5 reasons you should seek a design partner. Let them do the heavy lifting! To know more about solar design services, click here!
