How to Use SOLIRR 2.4

Start by creating a new project or loading an existing one from your dashboard. Use the color-coded sidebar navigation to track your progress: green icons are completed steps, orange is active, and grey is locked.

• New Project: Click
  New Project
  . You'll need to enter the basic details from your solar quote: a name, the full address, utility provider, system size in kW, and the total pre-rebate cost. If the quote includes a battery, enable the switch and enter its cost. The form will immediately show you three key cost-efficiency metrics:
• Total Quoted PPW: The overall price-per-watt for the entire project.
• Solar Price per Watt: The cost-efficiency of only the solar components. This is the best metric for an apples-to-apples comparison against other solar-only quotes.
• Battery PPW Contribution: Shows how much the battery adds to the total price-per-watt, helping you evaluate its cost impact.
• Load Project: For projects in the "In Build" section, click the
  Continue: [Next Step]
  button. This makes it your active project and takes you to the next required step in the analysis workflow.

Accurate savings calculations depend on an accurate electricity rate. The

• AI Rate Finder: The easiest option. The AI will look up common rates based on your project's location.
• Rate Database: Search our curated list of rates. We've pre-filled some of the most common ones.
• My Custom Rates: You can add a new rate completely from scratch or save a rate from the AI/Database to modify it. This is useful for complex or unique rate plans.
• Net Metering vs. Net Billing: The app will show whether a rate uses "Net Metering" (1-for-1 kWh credits) or "Net Billing" (financial credits for exports, usually at a lower rate). This is a critical factor in your savings.

You must also set an Energy Escalation Rate on this page before continuing. This estimates how much utility prices will increase each year.

On the

• System Size: The total power output of your solar panels in kilowatts (kW).
• Solar Offset: The percentage of your annual electricity needs that your system is projected to cover.
• Specific Yield: The system's efficiency, measured in kWh produced per kW of capacity installed. This is the best metric for comparing different quotes.
• Performance Ratio: An efficiency score comparing your system's yield to a standard benchmark.

To get started, you will need to enter two main inputs:

• Energy Consumption (kWh): Enter your `Yearly Consumption` from your utility bill or enter an `Average Monthly` amount.
• System Production (kWh/yr): Enter the estimated annual production from your solar quote. This is the fastest and most reliable way to get an accurate estimate based on the installer's proposal.

You can also refine the simulation by selecting an `Annual Profile` that matches your yearly usage patterns and a `Daily Profile` for your typical daily energy use. Click the

If your project has a battery, a

On the

• The AI will search for active, direct cash rebates or grants based on your project location.
• You can select the incentives you qualify for to add them to a running total.
• You can also add any rebates manually that the AI might have missed. The final total will be subtracted from your project cost.

The

• Key Metrics: See your final Net Cost, Payback Period, and Total Lifetime Savings at a glance. You will also see key cost metrics like Solar PPW and performance metrics like Specific Yield. Hover over each tile for a detailed tooltip.
• Payback Analysis: A chart visualizes your cumulative savings over the years. It starts at a negative value (your net cost) and shows when it breaks even.
• Assumptions: Fine-tune the calculation by adjusting the analysis period.

Once you are happy with the analysis, click

Back on the

• Best Payback
  : Shortest time to break even.
• Top Savings
  : Highest lifetime savings.
• Best Price
  : Lowest total price-per-watt.
• Best Battery Price
  : Lowest price per kWh of battery capacity.

To continue editing an analyzed project, click

When you've made your decision, click

• It locks the project, moving it to the "Finalized" section. From here, you can click
  View Financial Summary
  to see a pop-up with its key metrics and a payback graph.
• It anonymously contributes your project's price data to the public
  Heatmap
  . This helps the entire community get a better sense of fair market pricing.

Please note: For the testing period, you are limited to finalizing a maximum of 5 projects per day and 15 projects per week.