Create Custom Solar Panels

Feature ID: #1156
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Background: Previously, if a solar panel was unavailable in the QuickSolar Solar Panel Database, the user would need to request it be added from QuickSolar, which could take some time.

Value: This feature allows the user to create their own custom solar panel from within the QuickSolar Design Tool.

• Adding panels can be done on the fly, while setting up a new design
• Only 5 fields are required to create a new panel. Other "Advanced fields" are available as optional data.
• Saved panels can be selected from the panel search bar for future designs
• New Solar Manufacturers can be added as well, if it doesn't already exist in the system
• A new custom panel is available to the user who created it, as well as others within the company. It is NOT available to users outside of the company

Auto-calc Energy Bill Data

Feature ID: #729
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Background: Previously, missing data would be automatically calculated from within the design tool, but not in the Project Page. 

Value: This feature allows "missing" energy cost or consumption data to be automatically calculated from within the Energy Bills section of the Project Page.

• Can be configured using the "Auto-calc" toggle in the Energy Bills window
• Uses the selected Utility Rate for that project to calculate missing data. This works for either a flat utility rate, or any selected rate schedule.

Label changed to "Average monthly savings (Year 1)" in proposal

Feature ID: #1248

Background: Previously, the label in the proposal was "Average monthly savings," which was slightly misleading; the calculated value only shows the monthly savings for the first year of operation, and may not be the same in subsequent years. 

Value: We've added "Year 1" to the label to make it clearer to homeowners on proposals that this average monthly savings value only applies to the first year of operation of the designed solar system.

How to use it: 

• Log in to QuickSolar (or sign up for a free account here)
• Open a project
• Open a proposal
• Scroll to the last page, and note the top value is now labeled "Average monthly savings (Year 1)"

Bug fix: "Other" incentive Type no longer produces error message

Bug ID: #1249
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Original bug: Previously, when creating a custom incentive, choosing "Other" as the incentive "Type" would produce a notation error when attempting to save.

Fix: You can now choose "Other" as the incentive "Type" without experiencing any bugs when attempting to save.

How to test: 

• Log in to QuickSolar (or sign up for a free account here)
• Click "Welcome" in the upper-right
• Select "Incentive Wiki"
• Click "Create New Incentive"
• For "Type" select "Other"
• Fill out all other required fields
• Click Save button
• The new incentive will properly save

Everywhere you look, there’s a different solar power project going on, and one of the most interesting are solar roads. From American startups to French prototypes and beyond, solar roads have gone through their trials and tribulations. Where’s the technology at? Will we be seeing them in the near future? Let’s get into the details about their place in the world, and if they’re really worth it.

QuickSolar has created a new set of subscription offerings that allow you to grow & manage your solar business with more cost-effective packages.

And best of all, QuickSolar is still the most easy-to-use solar design tool on the Web, so you don't have to spend much time and money training your team!

SolarWorld is struggling to stay afloat, and is in danger of becoming the latest American-made solar panel manufacturer to bite the dust, despite a recent cash infusion of $6 million.  

This is just the most recent in a string of stories where U.S. solar manufacturers are unable to compete with their Chinese counterparts. Suniva, the bankrupt module maker and now defining chapter of the ongoing crisis, got a small victory last week when the ITC decided to move forward under Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974 to investigate whether they deserve protection from their Chinese competitors.

Great news for the U.S. solar market, right?

Well, many at Intersolar North America seem to think not. The pending decision is causing a lot of developers to hold off on new solar projects, causing a ripple effect of delays and indecision.

“The uncertainty we’re seeing in the U.S. market is not good,” said Jefferson Gerwig, purchasing manager for Indiana-based developer Inovateus Solar. “It’s putting a real damper on a lot of development, and the market will continue to worry until the case is finally decided – and even then, with no certain outcome, the effects could linger.”

Developers are trying to snatch up as many modules as possible because of abject fear at what could happen if Suniva is granted relief under its petition, Gerwig said. Adding to the shortage is the fact that the Chinese and Indian markets are still growing fast. So manufacturers are selling any excess inventory into those markets – markets where they can have a reasonable expectation of continued growth moving forward.

Frank Andorka from pv magazine has the whole story here.