How to Add Other Components

This article is in the Control section of the App.  

OpenSolar understands that there are other components that may be used in PV designs which is why we have given you the capability to create components separate to the modules, inverters and batteries. Although these components will not be a part of the electrical calculations, you can add a Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) price to them which will be involved in your financial calculations. 

When on the Control page of OpenSolar, access your list of other components by clicking on Other Components underneath System Design. This will take you to a list of your “Other Components”. To create a new component, simply click on the create button on the top right hand corner.

From here you the ability to look-up existing Other Components in our component database. To do this, simply click on the Search for Component Code or Manufacturer input box and type in the the model of component that you are looking for.

If you cannot find the model that you are after, then you have the ability to create your own custom component by entering in the fields manually.

To do this, choose the Create Your Own option when creating the component and then enter in the specifications in each of the fields shown. 

• Code - this how the component will appear in the studio list. 
• Title - the title of the component. 
• Manufacturer - the manufacturer of the component. 
• Description - this is where you can put in important information that you wish to be displayed for the customer. 
• Show Customer - This will choose whether the component and it's description will appear in the proposal for the customer to see when it is chosen in a project. 
• Enable Additional Costs - This allows for more complex financial modelling when switched on. 

• Formula - This is the formula by which the total amount of each transaction is generated. You can choose an option from the dropdown in order to dynamically generate price amounts. 
  
  
• Value - This is the figure which is used for calculating the amount of each transaction. It is used by the formula field and can be multiplied by different system details (such as size of system) to generate transaction amounts. The field should be positive for costs and negative for revenues. 
• Cycle Units - This is the frequency of the transactions. 
• Start Cycle - This specifies the point at which the transactions begin. A value of 0 here will specify the first transaction as before the first cycle and a value of 1 will specify after the first cycle. 2 is after the second cycle and so on. 
• End Cycle - Similar to the start cycle, but when the cycles end. 
• Annual Adjustment (%) - This changes the value of the transaction on an annual basis. 

You also then have the ability to assign cost to the component which is used in markup pricing. 

• COGS per unit - used for calculating system prices if Markup pricing is selected
• Price Adjustment per Unit (Inc Tax) - this field gives you the ability to add a price adjustment (inclusive of tax) to the Price per Watt and Price Per Watt By Size pricing schemes. 
• Product Warranty - the products warranty in years. 

Then click on  which will save the details of the component you have created and take you back to the list of components that you have.

You will then be able to apply the Other Component in Studio in order for it to appear on the proposal.