The 2D design feature is intended primarily for users who previously relied on the classic design tool, or for those working in areas with limited data availability such as poor imagery or lidar where full 3D design workflows may be impractical.

Below are the steps to complete a 2D Simplified Design:

• Begin by clicking New Project located in the top right corner of the dashboard page.

• Enter the client's property address in the designated field. Then, choose the correct address from the dropdown list generated by Google Maps.

​​​​​​

• Under the Project Details section, locate the Design Tool Selection.
• Click on it to reveal the dropdown menu.
• From the options provided, select Create a 2D Simplified (3D compatible). Ensure this option is chosen for this case.

• Click here for a detailed walkthough of all the sections contained in this page.

• After completing all other sections, click Create Design to proceed to the design tool.

Unlike 3D designs, in 2D designs, you only need to trace the specific facets where you plan to place panels, rather than outlining the entire roof.

After landing in Roof design the first tool to use is the Pen tool (P), whichis used to add nodes and lines to the drawing.

• Select the Pen tool (P) and start by tracing the outer edges of the facet’s perimeter.
• Begin by clicking on one of the external corners to place the first node, then continue around the perimeter, placing nodes at each external corner until you return to the starting point.

• Next, use The Select tool (S) to make adjustments throughout the design process, this tool can be used to remove, reposition, or resize lines and nodes.

Nodes: Click and drag an individual node to reposition it. To remove one, drag it on top of the next nearest node from the same line segment.

Lines: Click on a line segment to edit its length or delete it. To reposition one, click and drag on the segment itself.

• Using the pointer, ensure that the azimuths are all facing the correct direction. If necessary, select Rotate Azimuth to adjust them. You can manually edit the pitch or invert the azimuth as needed.

• Click the Detect icon (D) to automatically determine the roof pitch. If you're using a custom image or lidar data is unavailable, you'll need to manually select each roof facet and define the pitch yourself.

​​​

• Next, click on Solar in the top navigation bar. The panels will automatically populate within the array traced during the roof design step, automatically placing and orienting the selected panels to maximize surface area coverage.

• Use the Select Tool (S) to remove any panels that appear over an obstruction, as the 2D tool does not account for obstructions in roof design. If you need obstructions to be considered and automatically detected, you may use the 3D tool.
• In this step you can also modify the array details, resize it or delete it.

In the case you prefer to place roof-based modules manually follow the steps below:

• Select the Clear All icon (represented by a broom) to start with empty surfaces.

• Click the Add panel tool (P) from the left toolbar. This will open a menu where you can select panel configurations, including microinverter options, panel placement, orientation, and more.

• After selecting a PV module and choosing a type of microinverter (or selecting none for that section), you can begin adding panels to the design. Panels can be added in one of two ways:

Note: If you need to add a central inverter, refer to the final section of this article.

Auto placement: Clicking on a roof facet will fill it with as many panels as possible. If needed, panels can then be removed from the resulting array by using the Select tool either to adjust its overall shape or to select and delete panels one at a time.

Manual placement: Click and drag within a roof facet to define a rectangular array which will begin populating with panels as it expands. Alternatively, click once anywhere on the roof facet to place a single panel in that spot. After, the Select tool can be used to expand a single panel into a larger array or to resize an existing array.

Panels can be placed in either a portrait or landscape, relative to that facet’s azimuth. When using Auto placement, the Any option allows the tool to use either orientation as needed.

• If you prefer to manually use the Max-fit tool (X) with your own configuration, clicking the Max-fit tool will open a dialog where you can specify the desired panel, microinverter, orientation, and mounting type for the design.

If None was selected from the Microinverter menu, the next step is to add an inverter to the design.

• Click the inverter electrical-symbol icon from the left toolbar to open the Add inverter menu.

• Next, select a model from the Inverter dropdown menu.

• If called for, select an optimizer to use the PV modules next.

• Finally, click Proceed and then place the inverter in the solar design.

​​​​​

• You may click here to learn more about inverters in the design tool.

• Once you have completed your design click on the Save icon and proceed to the Battery tab in the case a battery needs to be added to this design. Click here to learn more about this part of the process.

• You can convert the 2D design to a 3D design and vice versa by clicking on the highlighted icon below.