Free OpenClaw Skill for Solar Installers: Design and AHJ Permit Agent (Download)

What this skill does for your solar installers

• Drafts the homeowner-facing production estimate keyed to NEM 3.0 export rates, time-of-use rate schedules, and your Aurora Solar or OpenSolar shading model.
• Assembles the AHJ permit packet (plan set cover, single-line diagram, structural letter, fire-code setbacks) for the local building department's submission portal.
• Routes financing-curious homeowners to Mosaic, Sunlight Financial, or GoodLeap with the 25-year loan estimate, the lease-vs-loan-vs-PPA comparison, and the ITC 30% federal credit framing.
• Compiles the 30% Investment Tax Credit paperwork (IRS Form 5695 prep summary) and the state and utility rebate application checklist per jurisdiction.
• Coordinates the milestone cadence: site survey, design approval, AHJ approval, install, utility permission-to-operate, with each milestone-aware customer touch.

What's inside this OpenClaw skill

The full file you download, indexed below for search engines and for operators who want to read before they install.

---
name: solar-design-and-ahj-permit
description: NEM 3.0 production estimates, AHJ permit packets, ITC paperwork, and financing handoffs for residential solar installers. Integrates with Aurora Solar, OpenSolar, Mosaic, Sunlight Financial, GoodLeap.
version: 1.0.0
author: OpenClaw Consult (Adhiraj Hangal)
license: MIT
url: https://openclawconsult.com/skills/solar-installers
---

# OpenClaw Skill: Solar Design and AHJ Permit Agent

## Overview

This skill turns the OpenClaw agent into the post-design, pre-install
coordination layer for a residential solar installer. It owns the homeowner-
facing production estimate under NEM 3.0, the AHJ permit packet drafting, the
ITC 30% federal credit framing, and the financing handoff to Mosaic, Sunlight
Financial, or GoodLeap.

It is designed for NABCEP-certified installers running 100 to 1,500 installs
per year, on Aurora Solar or OpenSolar, in NEM 3.0 jurisdictions (California
under the 2023 PUC ruling) and 1-to-1 net metering states.

## What this skill does

1. Drafts the homeowner production estimate under NEM 3.0 or 1-to-1 NEM
2. Assembles the AHJ permit packet per jurisdiction
3. Routes financing customers to Mosaic, Sunlight Financial, or GoodLeap
4. Compiles ITC 30% paperwork and state and utility rebate checklists
5. Coordinates the milestone cadence (survey, design, AHJ, install, PTO)
6. Routes battery-included designs, commercial PPAs, and systems over 12 kW
   to a human by default

## Triggers

```yaml
triggers:
  - type: heartbeat
    schedule: "0 9 * * *"           # Daily 9am
    action: review_open_milestones

  - type: heartbeat
    schedule: "0 8 * * 1"           # Mondays 8am
    action: compile_stale_design_followup

  - type: on_event
    event: aurora.design_completed
    action: draft_homeowner_proposal

  - type: on_event
    event: opensolar.design_completed
    action: draft_homeowner_proposal

  - type: on_event
    event: crm.contract_signed
    action: assemble_ahj_permit_packet

  - type: on_event
    event: ahj.permit_approved
    action: schedule_install_and_notify_customer

  - type: on_event
    event: utility.pto_granted
    action: send_celebration_and_ask_for_referral
```

## Workflow: NEM 3.0 production proposal

When Aurora Solar or OpenSolar marks a design complete, the agent:

1. Pulls the design output: kW DC, panel count, shade derate, year-1 kWh
2. Pulls the customer's time-of-use rate schedule (from the utility lookup)
3. Calculates self-consumption percentage from the production curve vs the
   household's consumption curve
4. Calculates exported kWh and applies the NEM 3.0 ACC rate (the avoided-
   cost calculator rate set by the PUC, varying by hour of year)
5. Calculates year-1 utility bill savings (pre-solar bill minus post-solar
   bill plus exported value)
6. Drafts the proposal with the cash price, the ITC 30% framing, and the
   financing block if the customer's notes indicate financing interest

For 1-to-1 NEM jurisdictions, the math is simpler (every exported kWh credits
at the retail rate). The skill detects the jurisdiction and uses the right
calculation.

## Workflow: AHJ permit packet

When the contract is signed, the agent:

1. Looks up the AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) for the property's address
2. Pulls the AHJ's required documents list
3. Drafts the standard packet:
   - Plan set cover sheet
   - Single-line electrical diagram description
   - Structural letter summary (the structural engineer fills the load math)
   - Fire-code setback narrative (per IFC 605.11 or local equivalent)
   - Equipment cut sheets list
4. Generates the packet PDF and routes to the office to submit through the
   AHJ portal
5. Tracks the AHJ approval status and follows up on stale submissions

Most AHJs do not accept API submissions. The skill prepares the packet; a
human submits.

## Workflow: ITC 30% paperwork

After install and utility permission-to-operate, the agent:

1. Compiles the IRS Form 5695 preparation summary for the homeowner
2. Lists eligible costs: panels, inverter, racking, wiring, labor, permit fees
3. Calculates the 30% Section 25D Residential Clean Energy Credit
4. Includes the state credit checklist (California, New York, etc.) if
   applicable
5. Includes the utility rebate application checklist if applicable
6. Sends to the homeowner with the explicit note: this is a summary, your
   tax preparer files the actual return

The skill does not give tax advice. It standardizes the paperwork summary
so the homeowner has every piece of documentation they need at tax time.

## Workflow: financing partner handoff

When the customer is financing-curious, the agent inserts the financing block:

- Mosaic 25-year solar loan: typical APR range, monthly payment estimate
- Sunlight Financial: same
- GoodLeap: same
- Plus a side-by-side: 25-year cash vs 25-year loan vs 20-year lease vs PPA
  total cost comparison

The skill uses your dealer-level promotional APRs, not the partner's public
rate. You set the APR in the config block.

## Workflow: milestone touch cadence

For every signed contract, the agent runs the milestone cadence:

- Milestone 1: site survey scheduled. Customer touch: confirmation SMS day
  before, "what to expect" note
- Milestone 2: design complete. Customer touch: proposal sent
- Milestone 3: AHJ submitted. Customer touch: "we are in the queue, typical
  wait is X days for {jurisdiction}"
- Milestone 4: AHJ approved. Customer touch: install scheduled with date
- Milestone 5: install complete. Customer touch: "system is on but utility
  PTO is pending"
- Milestone 6: utility PTO granted. Customer touch: "your system is now
  feeding the grid, here is your monitoring login, please consider a
  referral"

Each milestone touch is editable per installer's voice.

## Memory keys

```yaml
memory:
  - key: solar.design[{customer_id}]
    description: Aurora or OpenSolar design output
    schema: { kw_dc: number, panel_count: int, year_1_kwh: int, shade_derate: number, design_complete_date: date }

  - key: solar.proposal_state[{customer_id}]
    description: Proposal cadence stage
    values: [drafted, sent, viewed, signed, stale, lost]

  - key: solar.ahj_state[{job_id}]
    description: AHJ permit tracking
    schema: { jurisdiction: string, packet_assembled_date: date, submitted_date: date, approved_date: date, status: enum }

  - key: solar.milestone_state[{job_id}]
    description: Current milestone in the cadence
    values: [survey_scheduled, design_complete, ahj_submitted, ahj_approved, install_scheduled, install_complete, pto_granted, complete]

  - key: solar.financing_offered[{customer_id}]
    description: Financing partner offered and customer response
    schema: { partner: string, monthly_estimate: number, completed: bool }
```

## Message templates

```yaml
templates:
  proposal_nem3_california:
    channel: email
    subject: "Your solar design from {company_name}"
    body: |
      Hi {customer_first_name},

      Your design is ready. Here is what we put together for your roof.

      System: {kw_dc} kW DC, {panel_count} panels, {panel_model}
      Inverter: {inverter_model}
      Year-1 production: {year_1_kwh} kWh

      Under NEM 3.0 (California PUC 2023 ruling), your bill savings work
      like this:

      - Year-1 self-consumption: {self_consumption_pct}% (when your home
        uses the solar directly)
      - Year-1 export to grid: {export_kwh} kWh credited at the avoided-cost
        rate (varies by hour of year)
      - Year-1 estimated utility bill: {post_solar_bill} (down from
        {pre_solar_bill})
      - Year-1 estimated savings: {year_1_savings}

      Cash price: {cash_price}
      Federal Investment Tax Credit (30%, Section 25D): {itc_credit}
      Net cost after federal credit: {net_cost_after_itc}

      {financing_block}

      Note on the federal credit: this is a credit against your federal
      income tax liability. Talk to your tax preparer to confirm how it
      applies to your specific return.

      Next step is your sign-off so we start the AHJ permit packet. Want me
      to send the contract?

      {ops_first_name}
      {company_name}

  financing_block_mosaic:
    channel: inline_in_proposal
    body: |
      Financing: Mosaic 25-year solar loan at {mosaic_promo_apr}% APR.
      Monthly payment estimate at this system size: {monthly_payment}.
      $0 down, no prepayment penalty. Soft-pull pre-qualification in 2
      minutes:
      {mosaic_prequal_link}

  ahj_submission_status_update:
    channel: sms
    body: |
      Hi {customer_first_name}, this is {company_name}. Your solar permit
      packet was submitted to {jurisdiction} on {submitted_date}. Typical
      review time in your area is {typical_review_days} days. We will let
      you know as soon as the approval comes through.

  pto_celebration_and_referral_ask:
    channel: email
    subject: "Your solar is officially live"
    body: |
      Hi {customer_first_name},

      {utility_name} granted Permission to Operate today. Your system is
      now feeding the grid.

      Monitoring login: {monitoring_url}
      Username: {monitoring_username} (password sent separately for security)

      Once you have a month or two of production data, your friends and
      neighbors will probably ask about it. If anyone wants a quote, send
      them my way and we will take care of you on the referral side
      (referral_program_summary).

      Thanks for trusting us with the install.

      {ops_first_name}
      {company_name}

  itc_paperwork_summary:
    channel: email
    subject: "Your tax-time paperwork for the solar install"
    body: |
      Hi {customer_first_name},

      Here is a summary of the paperwork your tax preparer will need for
      this year's return.

      Federal Investment Tax Credit (30%, Section 25D Residential Clean
      Energy Credit):
      - Eligible total cost: {total_eligible_cost}
      - 30% credit available: {itc_credit_amount}
      - IRS Form 5695, Part 1

      {state_credit_block}

      {utility_rebate_block}

      This is a summary, not tax advice. Your tax preparer files the
      actual return.

      {company_name}
```

## Required integrations

| Integration            | Purpose                                       | Read | Write    |
|------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|------|----------|
| Aurora Solar           | Design output, production estimate            | yes  | no       |
| OpenSolar              | Design output, production estimate            | yes  | no       |
| Mosaic                 | Financing pre-qual, monthly estimate          | yes  | yes      |
| Sunlight Financial     | Financing pre-qual                            | yes  | yes      |
| GoodLeap               | Financing pre-qual                            | yes  | yes      |
| AHJ portals            | Per-jurisdiction permit submission tracking   | yes  | no       |
| Utility rate lookup    | Time-of-use rate schedule by zip code         | yes  | no       |
| Twilio (or similar)    | Outbound SMS                                  | no   | yes      |
| Email provider         | Outbound email                                | no   | yes      |
| OpenClaw Memory        | Cross-run state                               | yes  | yes      |
| OpenClaw Heartbeat     | Scheduled cadence triggers                    | yes  | yes      |

AHJ portal integration is jurisdiction-specific and mostly read-only. The
skill drafts the packet; a human submits.

## Compliance notes

The skill does not give tax advice. The ITC 30% framing is a summary; the
homeowner's tax preparer files the return. NEM 3.0 math uses the published
PUC avoided-cost calculator; the skill does not invent kWh or dollar
numbers.

NABCEP certification belongs to the installer. The skill drafts proposals
that reference the company's NABCEP credentials but does not impersonate a
certified professional in technical correspondence.

## Configuration

```yaml
config:
  company_name: "Your Solar Company"
  nabcep_certified_installers:
    - name: "Installer Name"
      credential_id: "PV-XXXXX"
  approval_mode: ops_approves_all   # or "autonomous_after_2_weeks"
  net_metering_regime: "NEM 3.0"   # or "NEM_2", "1to1_full_retail"
  cash_price_per_watt:
    residential_6_to_12_kw: 2.90
    residential_over_12_kw: 2.75
  financing_partners:
    - name: Mosaic
      promo_apr: 5.99
      term_years: 25
      prequal_url: "https://app.joinmosaic.com/prequal/{dealer_id}"
    - name: GoodLeap
      promo_apr: 6.49
      term_years: 25
      prequal_url: "https://prequal.goodleap.com/{dealer_id}"
  ahj_jurisdictions:
    - name: "Anytown Building Department"
      portal_url: "https://anytown.gov/permits"
      typical_review_days: 14
      requires_structural_letter: true
      requires_fire_setback_narrative: true
  itc_pct: 30
  milestone_touches:
    - milestone: survey_scheduled
      cadence: 24h_before
    - milestone: ahj_submitted
      cadence: same_day
    - milestone: pto_granted
      cadence: same_day_with_referral_ask
```

## Quick install

```bash
mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills
mv solar-installers.md ~/.claude/skills/solar-design-and-ahj-permit.md
# Edit the config block to match your company
```

Launch OpenClaw and the skill is live. Run `review open milestones` or
`compile stale design followup` to invoke it on demand, or wait for
Heartbeat.

## Want it wired to your stack?

This SKILL.md is the starting point. If you want it plugged into your specific
design tool, your AHJ jurisdictions, your financing partners, and your
milestone touch flow on a fixed-price two-week clock, with the founder
writing every line of the build, the door is at
https://www.adhirajhangal.com/work

Install in 60 seconds

1. 1

   Drop the file into your OpenClaw skills directory

   Save the downloaded solar-installers.md as ~/.claude/skills/solar-design-and-ahj-permit.md (or scope it in your project-level .claude/skills/). OpenClaw picks up new skill files on next agent launch.

2. 2

   Connect your Aurora Solar or OpenSolar plus your financing partners

   Edit the integrations block to point at Aurora Solar API or OpenSolar API, your Mosaic and GoodLeap dealer accounts, and your AHJ portal URLs by jurisdiction. Read access to designs, customer profiles, and your published rate card is enough to start.

3. 3

   Launch in approval mode, then move to autonomous on safe templates

   Start with the operations manager approving every outbound message and AHJ packet for two weeks. The skill's defaults route any battery-included design, any commercial PPA, and any system over 12 kW to a human. After two weeks, flip the standard 6-12 kW residential proposals to autonomous.

Example conversation

Common questions

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