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Enabling Solar Components - Account Configuration

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Cinthya Bengtson
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In the Database page, Aurora enables Admins to browse and select solar component model types (such as specific modules or inverters), so that regularly used models appear first when adding components to a solar project’s design. Further, Admins can choose whether to allow Design Mode users search for other component types not ‘enabled’ by the Admin. 

If you can’t find the component model you’re looking for, ask your Admin. If your account Admin can’t find the component model in our database, please submit a request. 

Please note that you must be an Administrator to configure your account.

 

Table of Contents

 

Specify Component Availability

First, click on the Database button in the left rail to access all solar components:

 

In the upper-left, toggle “Specify Component Availability” to control whether users can search for all model types when in Design Mode. 

  • When toggled-off, Design Mode users may search for any solar module, inverter, or DC optimizer model type
  • When toggled-on, Design Mode users will only be able to select from the components the Admin has enabled

This toggle does not change any already-placed component models in designs, nor does it impact the Sales Mode or Storage experiences.

  • Existing models placed in designs will not be changed when toggling “Specify Component Availability”
  • Sales Mode users are always limited to selecting only from models that the Admin has specified
    • Similarly, when adding a battery to a design, only Admin-specified models are available, regardless of the “Specify Component Availability” toggle state
    • Sales Mode users may not select from a list of inverters or DC optimizers, but rather a tenant default can be applied to PV systems designed in Sales Mode. Admins may set the desired tenant default inverter and DC optimizer by navigating to Settings in the left rail, and then selecting Design under Application

 

How to Enable or Recommend Solar Components in your Database

When “Specify Component Availability” is toggled-off, Admins use model type row toggles to recommend component models. The toggled-on models form the Recommended list of models, and Design Mode users may search for other component models, too. 

When “Specify Component Availability” is toggled-on, Admins use model type row toggles to enable component models, and only enabled component models are available for selection in designs. The toggled-on models form the Enabled list of models. 

You can search for solar components within each component type by entering a model number, keyword, or a name in the search box.  The search box is specific, so if you aren't seeing the results you expect, try searching by broader terms, such as the manufacturer's name.

Step 1: Enter model number, keyword, or name in the search box.

Step 2: Click on the toggle next to the component that you wish to enable (or recommend).  You may see that model move to the top of the list depending on your sorting order. 

  • Repeat until you have found and enabled (or recommended) all of the desired models for each relevant component in the Database. 

Step 3: You can click on the "Enabled" or “Recommended” tab to view all components that appear on the shortlist of model type options for your team. 

Assigning Database Objects to Partners

For users of the Partner Management feature, modules must be assigned to Partner(s) in order to be displayed as options in projects belonging to that Partner.

Read more: Assigning Modules & Component to Partners

Misc. Tips on Solar Components 

Click here to learn more about Solar Component types that can be modeled in Aurora. 

  • Focus on enabling Modules, Inverters, DC Optimizers, and Batteries. These are the most important components to enable within your account for basic designs.  Other components are less frequently used or for visual layout purposes only but may be necessary for services like Aurora's Plan Sets.
  • The project API preferred panels parameter and Design API components parameter will override the Admin’s Database settings, causing the call-specified list to appear in AutoDesigner, if solar module models are set for the project or design, respectively. 
  • For more information on component-based pricing, review default base cost/watt + adders and discounts.
    • Batteries are the only component where pricing must be added in the Database.
      • Admins may enter the price of a single battery model, and the cost of each additional battery, of that model, added to a design.
  • If you are certain that Aurora doesn't have a specific component model in the database, please submit a component request form and our Support team will add that component to the database for you and all other Aurora users to access. 

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