Powerlily’s design workspace lets you build an editable site model, lay out modules, configure electrical equipment, and carry the finished design into the quote. This guide covers the core workflow for a first design. More advanced topics, including detailed roof editing, single-line diagrams, and plan sets, are covered separately.
Before you begin
Open a project with a complete site address. Confirm that the panels, inverters, batteries, optimizers, and racking you expect to use are available in your product catalogue. Accurate equipment data helps Powerlily calculate system size and validate the electrical layout.
1. Open the design workspace
From the project or quote, open the design workspace. If the project has multiple design options, choose the option you want to work on. Each option can keep its own layout and equipment configuration.
2. Review the site imagery and elevation data
Start by confirming that the map is centered on the correct property. Use the available imagery and elevation data as a reference for the building and surrounding site. Depending on the project, you may also be working from drone survey data that has been applied to the design.
If the imagery is unclear or outdated, do not guess at roof edges or heights. Use verified site measurements or a current survey before treating the design as construction-ready.
3. Create the site geometry
Model the surfaces that will carry the array. Powerlily supports pitched and flat roofs as well as ground mounts, carports, trackers, walls, and multiple structures.
- In 2D, trace and edit the footprint, roof planes, property lines, and other site features from above.
- In 3D, review pitch, height, orientation, and how the surfaces relate to one another.
You can move between the two views while you work. Use 2D for precise placement and 3D to catch geometry or clearance problems that are harder to see from above.
4. Add arrays and modules
Select a usable surface, then create an array and choose its module. Use the layout controls to set orientation, spacing, and placement. Smart fill can speed up the first pass, while panel-level editing, copy, multi-select, and snapping help refine the result.
Check the module count and system capacity as you work. A visually full roof is not always the best final layout. Leave room for access, code-required clearances, and real installation constraints.
5. Add setbacks, pathways, and obstructions
Mark roof edges, setbacks, pathways, vents, skylights, trees, and other obstructions that affect placement or shading. Keep these items editable so the layout can be updated when site information changes.
Company or jurisdiction-specific setback rules may be available in the design. Review the rule source and confirm that it applies to the project. The designer and installer remain responsible for local code compliance.
6. Choose the electrical equipment
Assign the inverter or microinverter configuration and add batteries, a microgrid interconnection device, or DC optimizers when the system requires them. Make sure each selected product matches the intended system architecture.
For string-inverter systems, use automatic stringing as a starting point or build the strings manually. Review MPPT assignments and the temperature-corrected voltage, current, and power checks. Resolve warnings before relying on the design for downstream documents.
7. Review shading and production
Use the modeled site and nearby objects to review shading. Then check the production estimate and the assumptions behind it. Production results are only as reliable as the site geometry, equipment data, weather source, losses, and shading inputs.
8. Save the design
Save the design when the layout and equipment are ready. Powerlily can use the saved module count, system capacity, equipment, production, roof measurements, and material quantities in the quote and related outputs.
After saving, return to the project and confirm that the commercial details still match the design. If you change the layout or equipment later, save again and review any affected pricing, proposal content, and documents.
Final review checklist
- The design is on the correct property and uses trustworthy site data.
- Roof or mounting-surface geometry matches verified measurements.
- Arrays avoid required setbacks, pathways, and obstructions.
- Panel orientation, spacing, and count are intentional.
- Inverter, storage, optimizer, and racking selections are correct.
- Strings and MPPT assignments pass the available electrical checks.
- Shading and production assumptions have been reviewed.
- The saved quote quantities and pricing reflect the final design.
What to do next
Once the design is saved, review the proposal and bill of materials. For permit and construction documentation, continue with the guides for single-line diagrams and plan sets.
