Release Notes - OS 2.13.0

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Electricity Tariffs Enhancements

We’ve made it much easier for Pros to create, view and edit electricity tariffs on OpenSolar. This change will enable you to have more confidence in applying the correct electricity pricing to your proposals and have the financials accurately modeled.

We’ve added:

• A new "Simple Flat Rate" electricity rate input for capturing flat or single rate plans, or for specifying the average electricity price your customers are paying if they are on a time-of-use or tiered pricing plan.
• An improved tariff form to make it easier for pros to create their own tariff rates.
• New info icon next to the applied tariff rate on the Energy Page that provides a summary of the tariff pricing details when hovering your mouse over it.
• The ability to model the following new pricing unit types:
  • Energy price tiering quantities that change based on billed demand:
    • $/kWh/kW
    • $/kWh/kVA 
  • Bi-monthly (every two months) fixed changes.
  • Fixed charges that apply on the utility bill if the site has a PV system.
  • Percentage surcharge multipliers.
  • Percentage surcharges and discounts now have an option to specify a single line item that applies to all charges.
• A new time-of-use scheduler dialog that now allows you to input time-of-use periods which was not feasible with the old time scheduler.

Hardware Ordering [Private Beta, UK & AU only]

Hardware Ordering—the easiest way to get the hardware you need—is now available in private beta. This first-of-its-kind functionality will help you to take your solar projects to installation in less time and allow your business to scale much more easily.

• The hardware wholesalers, Solar Outlet (AU) and Segen (UK), have been integrated into the OpenSolar platform, providing pros with more flexibility and choice when evaluating and ordering  hardware options for their projects.
• Pros will be able to order hardware in bulk or select individual components, simplifying the ordering process and accommodating various project requirements.
• These enhancements aim to optimize hardware ordering on OpenSolar, enabling pros to efficiently manage their hardware needs. The integration of Solar Outlet and Segen expands the range of available hardware options, while the universal ordering flow ensures flexibility and scalability. With a multi-phase approach, pros can expect a simplified and improved hardware ordering experience on OS. 

If you are interested in joining the private beta, please follow the appropriate links below:

           For AU solar pros complete this form.

           For UK solar pros complete this form.

Setback Functionality Enhancement [UK Only]

We have introduced new setback functionality to simplify the process of incorporating setbacks into designs. This solution provides a simplified approach while ensuring compliance with the MCS installer regulations.

• Added a new setback field, "setbacks array," in the control settings under "setbacks & design."
• By default, the setback value is set to 400mm for UK users. For all other countries, the field remains blank/zero.
• Setbacks will be displayed in the design page only when an array is selected and is not placed on a roof facet with non-zero setbacks.
• These setbacks will not be visible in customer-facing documents. They will only be visible in the design page and non-customer facing documents like installation instructions.

Native mounting systems (alternative to manufacturer integrations) [UK Only]

We have added a new native mounting solution to the platform with intelligent racking designs based on structural assessment to help pros easily follow manufacturer guidelines, enforce compatibility checks such as roof slope, roof type, and module thickness, and generate an accurate BOM.

• Improved mounting tab user interface
• Clenergy SolarRoof Pro Mounting System 
•  Renusol Variosole Mounting System (native option alongside integration) 
• This includes automated roof hook quantities based on wind loading calculations using the mounting system weight / fixing data. Mounting system data will be saved back to the MCS structural assessment form for document generation.
• Read more here!

Improved Generation Meter Selection [UK Only]

We have introduced improved generation meter selection to save time and improve design accuracy for UK pros on OpenSolar. 

• Now when you select a meter from the 'Others' tab, the system will intelligently filter the options to match with the electrical phases of the inverter being used in the design or the phase selection in the project's site details. This streamlines the selection process, ensuring that only relevant meter options are displayed in the search dialog.

Other

• Translation update:
  • Added translations for default proposal acceptance email subject and content for non-English speaking Orgs
  • Changed "cash" payment option title for France & German Orgs
  • Translated "commissions" in control page for Spanish Orgs
  • Fixed "reset password" text for non english speaking orgs (This includes Norwegian, Swedish, Danish and Finnish Orgs)
  • Default Pricing Schemes will now appear in all major languages supported on OpenSolar
• Battery Control Update:
  • The "Solar-charged (Default)" control scheme has been renamed to "Self-consumption."
  • The "NZ Optimized" control scheme has been hidden from the picklist in all markets outside of New Zealand. This modification ensures that only relevant control schemes are available for selection, improving usability.
  • A tooltip has been added to the battery control scheme dropdown. This tooltip provides users with additional information and guidance. The tooltip text encourages users to learn more about OpenSolar battery 
• Updated Segen orders to include the address and project ID from OpenSolar in their names within the Segen portal [UK Only]
• Added offline payment details to the View Statement dialog for proposals accepted offline with a deposit.
• Added vertical imagery timestamps for OS Lite (same as NMOS)
• Displayed the line item for "awaiting payment" in the View Statement dialog for proposals accepted offline with a deposit, provided the transaction is not marked as complete by the pro in Info > Transaction.

Bug Fixes

• The issue where the price-per-watt (PPW) pricing scheme displayed as $0 in proposals has been resolved. Now, the correct price is accurately shown in the proposal. 
• Fixed the issue where OpenSolar Defaulting Slope to 20 Degrees on Flat surface in 3D design.
• Fixed the issue where the Embed all system image placeholder was broken.
• Fixed the issue where continuous refresh logs users out.
• Fixed NEM Solar Compensation Mechanisms hidden in regions where it should be available.
• Resolved the Brighte Payment issue where the fortnightly payments were changing to monthly.