Solar Permit Design Mistakes to Avoid: Tips for Installers & Designers

Let’s be real:

You can have the best solar panels, the cleanest install, and the happiest customer—but if your permit design isn’t right, that job could hit a major wall.

We’ve seen it too many times.And as a company that designs hundreds of solar permit sets every month, we’re here to help you avoid the headaches.

So here it is—the top solar permit design mistakes to avoid in 2025, plus expert tips that could save you days, dollars, and drama.

Mistake #1: Incomplete Site Info

You can't design a system with missing or wrong details.

 What’s often missing:

• No correct address or APN

• Wrong utility provider

• Missing roof pitch or azimuth

• No main panel rating or load info

Pro Tip: Always double-check your site audit. It’s the foundation of everything.

Mistake #2: Wrong Setbacks or Fire Code Violations

Local AHJs (Authorities Having Jurisdiction) don’t play when it comes to safety.

 Common issues:

• Panels too close to ridges or valleys

• Ignoring walkway clearance (especially in CA)

• Overlooking roof obstructions

Pro Tip: Study your local fire setback rules. If you're unsure, we at PremiumCAD keep AHJ-specific templates for every major region.

Mistake #3: Messy One-Line Diagrams

If your electrical diagram looks like spaghetti, the plan checker isn’t going to be happy.

We’ve seen:

• Missing wire sizes

• No conduit details

• Wrong inverter specs

• No disconnects labeled

Pro Tip: Keep your one-line clean, accurate, and NEC-compliant. And yes—grounding matters.

Mistake #4: Forgetting Structural Details

AHJs often want to see how the system connects to the roof. Without it? Rejected.

 Don’t skip:

• Attachment spacing

• Rafter/truss info

• Wind/snow load calculations

• Structural anchoring

Pro Tip: Use roof framing diagrams or truss layouts when possible. Need PE stamps? We’ve got partners for that too.

Mistake #5: Not Customizing to Local Codes

Each city, county, and state have its own rules—and what works in Arizona might fail in New Jersey.

 Common rejections:

• Missing labels or placards

• Utility interconnection errors

• Wrong voltage limits

  
  

Pro Tip: At PremiumCAD, we track and update code changes across all 50 states. We know what your local AHJ wants to see.

Bonus Tip: Communicate With Your Designer

We’ve worked with hundreds of solar installers, and the smoothest projects always have one thing in common: good communication.

Share:

• Clean site photos

• Accurate shading analysis

• Any existing system info (for add-ons)

• Project timeline (so we can prioritize)

  
  

We’re not just drawing lines—we’re helping you win permits faster and keep jobs on track.

Final Thoughts: Design Right, Permit Fast

Getting a permit shouldn't feel like pulling teeth. But too often, simple design mistakes delay entire jobs by days or even weeks.

At PremiumCAD, we believe in getting it right the first time—because your time is money. Whether it’s residential or commercial, string inverter or microinverter, rooftop or ground-mount—we’ve got your back.

Need accurate, fast, and code-compliant permit designs? Work with PremiumCAD and never stress about plan check rejections again.

Let’s design smarter. Permit faster. Install more.

Contact us now at pvdesigns@premiumcad.com or dial +1 807 907 3075