Design Mode lets you add batteries directly to your CAD canvas. Once connected, storage components are fully integrated into simulations, electrical configuration, and downstream outputs like your bill of materials and pricing.
In this article, we’ll cover:
Before you begin
Access. Storage in Design Mode is available if you're using Design Mode and not a current user of Sales Mode, Single Line Diagram (SLD) editor, and TPO integrations (Enfin, Goodleap, etc.) workflows. Support for those configurations is coming in a future update.
Legacy designs (Design Mode beta release). During the beta release, if your design includes storage created before this Design Mode update:
- Existing designs are unaffected
- Legacy storage workflows remain available
- New designs use the updated Design Mode experience
A future version of this rollout will include updating legacy designs as well.
System requirements. You can add storage to any design in Design Mode. Storage is added directly to the design canvas and can be placed before or after adding solar panels. The legacy Storage “tab” in Design Mode no longer exists.
Supported equipment:
- AC batteries
- DC batteries
- Storage-only inverters
- Hybrid inverters (used with separate batteries)
- Battery-integrated hybrid inverters, such as Powerwall 3 — a unit that combines battery and inverter in one device
How to add storage in Design Mode
Option 1: Add storage manually (recommended)
- Open a design in Design Mode, add solar panels, and string the system.
- In the System menu, open the Storage menu.
- Select a battery from the dropdown.
- Click Create and place the battery on the canvas.
- Manually connect the battery to your system.
- If applicable, add the appropriate inverter, etc. for your storage type.
Once connected, the system is ready for simulation.
Adjusting battery quantity
- Click a battery on the canvas to open the inspector.
- Adjust the Quantity field.
Add or remove expansion units
Battery-integrated hybrid inverters support expansion units, which increase total storage capacity.
- Click the battery on the canvas to open the inspector.
- Add or remove expansion units (up to 3 per base unit).
Additional notes
- Changes to quantity are reflected in the Operating Mode section of the inspector after you re-run the simulation or save your design.
- The icon on the canvas may remain the same even when expansion units are added. The correct configuration is reflected in the inspector and system outputs.
Add a battery-integrated hybrid inverter using AutoDesigner and AutoStringer (optional)
Battery-integrated hybrid inverters (like Powerwall 3):
- Combine battery and inverter in a single unit
- Can connect directly to solar, similar to string inverters
- Support expansion units for additional capacity
Aurora’s automated design tools — AutoDesigner and AutoStringer — can be used to quickly add a battery-integrated hybrid inverter and configure the system.
Use AutoDesigner (no panels required)
Use AutoDesigner when your design does not yet include solar panels.
- Open a design in Design Mode with the roof mapped.
- In the System tab in the left panel, select AutoDesigner.
- In the Inspector, choose a storage-enabled inverter (for example, Powerwall 3).
- Click Run AutoDesigner.
Use AutoStringer (panels already placed)
Use AutoStringer when your design already includes solar panels.
- Open a design in Design Mode with solar panels placed.
- In the System tab in the left panel, select AutoStringer.
- In the Inspector, choose a storage-enabled inverter (for example, Powerwall 3).
- Click Run AutoStringer.
What happens next
Aurora will automatically:
- Remove incompatible inverters
- Add the selected battery-integrated system
- Reconfigure system connections
What happens after you add storage
Once you've added and connected a battery, your design:
- Includes a fully connected storage system ready for simulation
- Reflects storage in the electrical configuration
- Includes storage components in your bill of materials, pricing, and exports
Bill of materials (BoM)
Storage components appear in a dedicated section of the BoM, separate from solar components. This includes:
- AC batteries
- DC batteries
- Inverters
- Expansion units
Aurora ensures:
- No duplicate components in DC-coupled or combined systems
- Accurate counts for expansion units
- Consistent representation in the design summary
Pricing, DXF, and API outputs
Storage is fully integrated into all downstream outputs:
- Pricing reflects all storage components and quantities
- DXF downloads include storage elements
- API responses return correct, deduplicated storage data
FAQ
Can I use AutoDesigner with storage?
Yes. Storage components are included in AutoDesigner and AutoStringer workflows.
What happens if I switch battery or inverter types?
Aurora automatically removes incompatible connections. For example, switching to a storage-only inverter removes any direct solar connections, since storage-only inverters can't connect to solar.
Can I add multiple batteries or inverters to one design?
Yes. You can add and configure multiple storage components in a single design by adjusting the quantity in the storage inspector or by placing additional units from the System tab in the left panel.
Why are storage components listed separately in the BoM?
Storage is tracked in its own section to prevent duplication and ensure accuracy — especially in DC-coupled or combined systems where a component could otherwise be counted more than once.