How to create adders in your organization

Summary:

The Adders Library in OpenSolar allows you to define and manage additional pricing or cost components—called Adders—that can be included in system designs. These Adders can either be manually applied by the user during system design or automatically applied based on specific system and project criteria such as location, system size, roof characteristics, and more.

Adders can influence the system price, system cost, or both, and are configurable with flexible pricing formulas (e.g., fixed amount, per watt, or per panel). You can also lock Adders to restrict removal by non-admin users and bulk upload Adders via CSV to streamline setup.

Setting Up the Adders Library

To create or manage Adders:

1. Navigate to:
   Control > Pricing & Payments > Adders Library

2. Click “Create a new record” or “Add Adder”

Adder Configuration Options:

• Apply to:

  • Price

  • Cost

  • Both

• Choose a formula (e.g., fixed, per watt, per panel).

• Input the desired value.

  • ➕ Use positive values to increase cost/price.

  • ➖ Use negative values to apply a discount.

Auto-Apply Adders Based on Conditions

The Auto-Apply feature enables Adders to be automatically applied when certain conditions are met during system design.

Supported Auto-Apply Conditions:

• Location: State, postcode, locality

• System Size: Minimum and maximum wattage

• System Components: Enter comma-separated component codes

• Project Sector: Residential or Commercial

• Roof Type

• Roof Slope

How It Works:

When a system meets the conditions:

• A warning and an “Update Auto-Applied Adders” button will appear in the Pricing tab of the Design page.

• Clicking this button applies the eligible Adders automatically.

Important Notes:

• Adders previously auto-applied will be replaced with new ones if conditions change.

• Manually modified Adders will not be replaced.

Locking Adders

To prevent non-admin users from removing auto-applied Adders:

• Use the “Only Admins can remove” toggle within the Adder settings.

Locked Adders are:

• Clearly visually marked on project pages.

• Accompanied by help text explaining the restriction.

This ensures transparency while maintaining pricing integrity across teams.

Uploading Adders via CSV

To save time and avoid manual entry, you can upload a batch of Adders using a CSV file.

Steps to Upload:

1. Go to the Adders Library.

2. Click the Upload button.

3. Use the provided template file:

   • Leave the ID column blank for new entries.

   • Include all required fields (format will be shown in template).

Downloading Existing Adders for Reference:

• Use the Download button in the Adders Library to:

  • Export the current list of Adders.

  • Use the file as a base to add new ones.

Note: CSV uploads cannot delete existing Adders—only create or update them.

FAQ:

Current types of adders?

Currently, we have cost and price adders. Each of these adders can be priced as fixed, per watt, or per panel among others.

Will installation costs be automatically added?

If you've setup and adder for your installation cost, you must toggle on the auto apply for this to be automatically added.

File format:

• OpenSolar_adders_list.csv