Web Solar Configurators slash 2 weeks off presales engineering
When a leading solar hardware manufacturer wanted to empower their business customers with instant quotes for solar structures, they turned to E7 Systems to create custom configurators for each of their product lines. We created a customized web-based app that allowed their commercial clients to self-design over 30,000 complete solar mounting and racking systems.
Customers input their site specifics, modules choices and structure preferences. They received immediate PDF configurations with system designs, bills of materials, and project cost estimates for the solar projects.
Previously, developing quotes for just the solar structures took the manufacturer’s pre-sales engineers up to two weeks of manual effort. Now the configurator delivers solar mounting and racking system proposals on-demand.
Over 10 years, the self-service configurator has delivered over 30,000 project designs, helping the manufacturer win new projects and shorten the sales cycle. By automating design, our solution delivered scalable sales and instant customer satisfaction. The solar mounting configurators have provided a significant competitive advantage for the company.
Cost: $$$
Technologies: ArcGIS – API, React, Linux, Apache, PHP, MySQL, JavaScript, AJAX, Responsive Design
Work Completed:
Converted logic and engineering formulae from customer spreadsheets. Converted from visual basic scripting to PHP and MySQL database. Added tools to manage users and their projects.
Delivered system for collection of project environment info such as max wind speed, snow load, slope and soil. Engineered solar installations for both pole mount and rooftop applications. Delivered instant parts lists, quotes and engineering diagrams.
Integrated with ArcGIS enterprise mapping software for creation of overhead visiualization of projects an site and to scale. Enabled drag, drop, rotate and stretch of solar carports over existing parking spaces
Outcome:
Reduced a 2 week manual process to instant results. Saved client from paying engineers to design basic installations. Freed up same engineers to provide better and faster service on more complex projects. Gave solar installers a valuable tool for pricing there project estimates. Over 30,000 solar projects have been configured with this solar web configurator.
Custom project diagrams ready for submission to local building departments.
Itemized parts list with prices for complete project.