How to Design Your First Project in OpenSolar

Summary:

Welcome to OpenSolar! This article will guide you through designing your first project, from project creation to proposal delivery. Whether you're new to the platform or just need a refresher, this walkthrough covers every key step.

Table of Contents:

• Starting the Project
• Adding Project Information
• Entering Energy Usage and Tariff:
• Designing the System
• Reviewing the proposal
• Specific Design Modes
•  

Starting the Project:

You can begin a new project in two ways:

• From the Home Zone

• By clicking + New Project throughout the app

On the Home page, type the customer’s address in the search bar.

Select the correct match from the dropdown.

In the map view, center the home within the dotted square.

Click Create Project to proceed.

Adding Project Information:

After creating the project, you’ll be taken to the Manage Tab.

Add Customer Info:

1. Click + Add Contact at the top of the page.

2. In the popup, click + Add Contact again.

3. Choose either:

   • New Contact, or

   • Existing Contact (use search bar)

4. Click Confirm.

5. Back on the Manage tab, click Save to store the information.

Entering Energy Usage and Tariff:

Adding usage and tariff data ensures accurate system sizing and savings estimates.

To Enter Usage:

1. Navigate to the Energy Tab.

2. Expand the Data Source dropdown.

3. Choose the appropriate format, such as:

   • Monthly/Annual/Bi-Monthly/Quarterly/Daily Consumption

   • Monthly/Annual Bill/Bi-Monthly/Quarterly

   • Low/Medium/High Estimate

   • Interval Data

4. Fill in the usage fields provided based on your selection.

If data is missing for specific months, OpenSolar will estimate based on available data.

To Review or Change Tariff:

• OpenSolar auto-selects a tariff based on project location.

• Click the tariff name to review its charges.

• To change it, click Select Tariff and search our database.

• Can’t find it? Submit a support request with the tariff breakdown.

Designing the System

With usage data in place, proceed to the Design Tab.

1. Selecting Design Mode:

Found at the top-right corner of the design screen is the design mode. Currently, OpenSolar has three design modes for you to use:

• 3D Design mode - Offer a 3D image of the home as well as auto shading, auto pitch detection,  auto azimuth, and scale determination.
• 2D Design Mode - Offers a flat 2D image of the home. Unlike 3D, this does not offer auto-shading or pitch detection, only Auto azimuth and scale detection. This is a good option to use when 3D is not available.
• Manual Mode - The manual mode allows for a chance to take the 2D image and make your own 3D representation of the home, allowing for the auto shading and pitch detection. 

When available, 3D should be used to ensure the output takes shading into account. 

2. Add Hardware

Add Panels:

• Click the Panel Tab

• Use dropdown or search for manufacturer/module code

• Click + Panel to draw one or more arrays

Add Inverters:

• Click the Inverter Tab

• Click + Inverter and select from favorites or search

Add Batteries (Optional):

• Click the Battery Tab

• Choose:

  • Battery Design Assistant (recommended batteries suggested), or

  • Manual Selection

Add Other Components:

• Click the Other Components Tab

• Add from your approved component list

3. Set Pricing

1. Go to the Pricing Tab.

2. Ensure correct Pricing Scheme and Cost Scheme are selected.

   • Note: Markup pricing requires cost data to function properly.

3. To add charges or discounts:

   • Click + Adder/Discount

   • Select from pre-configured options or Enter Manually

The Price Breakdown panel will update in real-time.

4. Add Incentives (Optional)

• Go to the Incentives Tab

• Select relevant federal, state, or custom incentives

5. Additional Views (Optional)

• Click + View at the bottom of the screen to create custom views for the customer.

• Click Save Design when complete.

Reviewing the proposal:

• Click the Online Proposal Tab.

Even if you plan to send a PDF proposal, the online version must be fully loaded first.

• Once loaded, the proposal will reflect all savings and pricing calculations.

• To send:

• Click Send Proposal to Customer (bottom-right)

• Choose between:

  • Customize & Send Email, or

  • Enable Link Sharing to send via SMS or a messaging platform
     

Specific Design Modes:

You can read more on specific design modes using the links below:

How to design in 3D

How to design in 2D

How to design in Manual mode

How to design commercial projects in OpenSolar