To enter the customers’ consumption information, click the “Energy consumption” tab on the side menu in the Project Dashboard.
Step 1: Confirm the customer’s pre and post solar rates and set your escalation rate
Aurora will automatically populate the most likely rate in the zip code for your project. However, if you need to select a different rate you can select it from the drop-down or search for the rate or utility company by typing in the name of the rate or utility provider.
The Escalation Rate will increase the variable portion of the utility rate by a certain percentage each year to simulate the increasing cost of electricity over time.
Step 2: Enter your customers consumption information
- Monthly average, will populate the same energy (kWh) or bill ($) amount for each month throughout the year.
- Monthly estimate (1-12 months), allows you to enter one or more amounts (energy or bills), and Aurora will calculate a projected usage curve based on other homes in the area. Entering more values will result in a more accurate energy profile for that customer.
- Interval data, allows you to add the customers’ interval data in 15, 30, or 60 minute intervals. For more information on how to add interval data, see Adding interval data in Aurora[a][b].
Step 3: Configure the Usage Details
While knowing the size of a customer's bill is important in determining the benefit of your system, it does not tell the full story of how your customer uses electricity. For example, a homeowner who has electric heat rather than gas will likely use much more energy in the winter months, and a customer with an electric vehicle will likely use more energy at night while their vehicle charges.
Configuring the Usage Details helps Aurora to know the projected energy needs the home or business will be for each hour of the year and can more accurately determine when they will be importing or exporting energy to the grid.