Summary:
This article explains how to create, edit, and manage contract templates in OpenSolar using either a Text Editor or PDF Drag & Drop format. It also covers how to configure placeholders, apply templates to projects, and set up DocuSign integration for electronic signatures.
Table of contents:
Creating a Text Editor (Word-style) Contract
Assigning the Contract Template to the project
Accessing Contract Templates:
All contract templates are accessible through Control > Purchase Experience > Contract Template.
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To edit an existing template, click the edit icon next to the desired contract.
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To create a new contract template, click + Add Contract. This will open the Create Contract window, where the following details must be provided:
Contract Information:
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Title: The title displayed in the online proposal if the template is selected manually.
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Language: The language of the contract.
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Editor: Choose between “Text Editor” (HTML/Word-style editor) or “PDF Drag & Drop.”
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Auto Apply: Enable this toggle to automatically apply the template to all projects. You can define conditions for automatic application based on state, ZIP code, or payment options.
Click Save to proceed to the template editing section.
Creating a Text Editor (Word-style) Contract:
If the Text Editor is selected, additional configuration fields will appear:
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Description: An optional description of the template.
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Archive: Allows you to deactivate the template, removing it from the list of active options.
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Integration: If using DocuSign instead of OpenSolar’s native signer, select DocuSign from the drop-down. Ensure DocuSign is integrated within your organization prior to selection. View setup instructions here.
Editing the Contract Body:
The contract body is initially pre-filled with OpenSolar’s default template. You may delete this content and:
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Paste content from an existing contract (you will be prompted to retain or remove formatting), or
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Type directly into the editor.
Note: Text Editor contracts do not allow for document upload.
The editor supports standard formatting tools, such as:
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Text Formatting: Bold, Italic, Underline, Font Size, Text Color
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Layout: Paragraph Alignment, Line Breaks, Page Breaks, Tables, Lists
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Placeholders: Use placeholders to dynamically pull project data into the contract. Note that placeholder availability is more limited than in PDF templates.
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DocuSign Fields: Available only when DocuSign is selected as the integration.
Click Save once your template is complete.
Creating a PDF Contract:
The configuration of the PDF contract begins when the editor is set to "PDF Drag & Drop"
You will notice a few new sections become available at the top:
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Description: An optional description of the template.
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Archive: Allows you to deactivate the template, removing it from the list of active options.
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Integration: If using DocuSign instead of OpenSolar’s native signer, select DocuSign from the drop-down. Ensure DocuSign is integrated within your organization prior to selection. View setup instructions here.
Locate the step 1 section and click Import File, locate your PDF document, and upload it into OpenSolar.
Step 1: Upload PDF File:
Click Import File, locate your PDF document, and upload it into OpenSolar.
Step 2: Load Sample Project Data:
Select a sample project, system design, and payment option that includes the data you plan to include in your contract. For example:
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If using loan data, ensure the payment option is a loan.
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If including battery information, select a design that includes a battery.
Click Loan Sample Data to load the template with project data.
The left-hand panel will now display a menu of Placeholders grouped by category:
| Popular: | Frequently used placeholders (e.g., customer and hardware info) |
| System: | Information like system size, output, and selected hardware |
| Payment option: | Pricing details, lender name, APR, etc. |
| Docusign: | Signature and initial fields (if integration is enabled) |
| Project: | Address, creation date, and custom fields |
| Your company: | Information from your company profile. This is connected to the information found in the control > Company > business information. For example, the name of the organization |
| Assigned team member: | Name, email, and phone number of assigned representative. This is connected to the information found in the control > Company > team |
| Primary customer: | This will list only the ifnromation of the first customer. For example, the customer name, email and phone number |
| All customers: | This is similar to the option above but will show the information for all customers in the project instead of just the main. |
To add a placeholder, drag it into the template. For better placement visibility:
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Avoid placing placeholders directly in their final spot—drop them elsewhere first, then reposition them.
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Use Ctrl + / Ctrl - on your keyboard to zoom, instead of the on-screen zoom controls.
Customizing Placeholders:
Click the arrow beside a placeholder to customize its properties:
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Width, Font Size, Number of Lines
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Decimal Rounding
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Number Formatting (e.g., number of currency)
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Formulas: Check this on you add calculated values (e.g., project completion date = contract date + 180 days)
Click Save when finished.
Assigning the Contract Template to the project:
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If Auto Apply is enabled, the template will apply by default to projects that match the criteria.
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If not enabled, navigate to the Online Proposal > Expand Customize Proposal and manually select the contract template from the Contract Template drop-down.
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