Rate Comparison

The rate plan information provided by a utility is a major component of the design and configuration of the Rate Comparison. The rate plan requirements are summarized below, followed by images that show standard examples of the Rate Comparison and the primary configuration options associated with this tool.

Rate Plans and Rate Attributes: Rate information is structured as rate plans which can include additional rate attributes. The rate plan describes the main purpose, details, and important information about a rate. Rate attributes supply additional information and can be applied to one or more rate plans. A customer's eligibility is used to determine their available rate plans, and any applicable rate attributes for their eligible rate plans. When providing rate configuration information, be aware that the rate plans displayed to users are a combination of the rate plan information and the applicable rate attributes.

Rate Eligibility: When a customer visits the Rate Comparison, they are presented with information and costs for their current rate and the other eligible rate options. Utilities must supply rate eligibility information which defines for each rate plan the additional rate plans a customer is eligible for. Contact your Oracle Utilities Opower Delivery Team for support in creating a rate eligibility matrix.

When defining rate eligibility for each rate plan, utilities must consider base rate plans as well as rate attributes. It is not required to have different rate eligibility for each rate attribute, but it is common for rate attributes to affect rate eligibility. For example, customers on a time-of-use rate plan without any attributes may be able to switch to a flat rate plan, but customers on the same time-of-use rate plan who have the solar attribute are not able to switch to a flat rate plan.

Configuration Options

There are configuration options for the rate widget and the rate plans that are shown in the components of the widget.

Rate Comparison Widget Configurations

The Rate Comparison widget displays high-level information about a customers rate plan relative to other available rate plans.

For each element listed in the table, indicate the desired configuration in the Input Value column. If you do not provide an input for optional configurations, the default will be used.

Configuration Option	Input Value
1. Rate Plan Switch Call-to-Action A call-to-action and phone number for customers to change their rate is provided. Default: Ready to switch rate plans? Call us at XXX-XXX-XXXX	Required Choose one of the following: Use default messaging and provide a phone number. Provide a URL that allows customers to request a rate plan change. Hide the call-to-action.
2. Rate Comparison Disclaimer Legal disclaimer messaging is shown at the bottom of the Rate Comparison component.	Required Provide any applicable legal disclaimer text.
4. Title The main title for a rate plan. Example: Time of Day 3-8pm Requirements: 40 character maximum.	Required Provide the main title for the rate plan.
5. Summary Rate plan summary information included for rate comparisons. Example: Best for: Homes with low energy use Price highest: Weekdays 3pm - 8pm Requirements: Three bullet maximum, 60 characters per bullet maximum.	Required Provide the rate plan summary.

Rate Plan Details Configurations

The Rate Plan Details includes rate titles, descriptions, and other more specific rate plan information to users. This required content must be provided for each rate plan, and thus must be completed for each rate plan. In addition to the required configurations, optional content can also be included for each rate plan. This content is also optional for each rate attribute, which are displayed as part of applicable rate plans.

For each element listed in the table, indicate the desired configuration in the Input Value column. If you do not provide an input for optional configurations, the default will be used.

Configuration Option	Input Value
1. Rate Plan Switch Call-to-Action A call-to-action and phone number for customers to change their rate is provided. Default: Ready to switch rate plans? Call us at XXX-XXX-XXXX	Required Choose one of the following: Use default messaging and provide a phone number. Provide a URL that allows customers to request a rate plan change. Hide the call-to-action.
3. Rate Details Disclaimer Legal disclaimer messaging is shown at the bottom of the Rate Details component.	Required Provide any applicable legal disclaimer text.
4. Title The main title for a rate plan. Example: Time of Day 3-8pm Requirements: 40 character maximum.	Required Provide the main title for the rate plan.
6. Headline Short description that highlights how the plan works and why a customer would want to select the plan. Example: The price of energy depends on your monthly overall use. Requirements: One or two paragraphs and 100 character maximum.	Required Provide the rate plan headline.
7. Description Additional information about the rate plan which is not covered in the rate plan headline. Example: On this plan, customers are rewarded for reducing their energy use during periods of high demand. If your household uses less energy in the afternoon and early evening, this plan can help you save on your energy bills. Requirements: 350 character limit.	Required Provide the rate plan description.
8. Frequently Asked Questions Common questions and answers to increase customer knowledge and confidence. Example: Question: Why are you recommending rates to me? Answer: Research shows that customers do not know why a utility would offer them cheaper rate plans, and generally have distrust of the concept. Requirements: Questions use a 100 character maximum and answers use a 350 character maximum.	Optional Provide the messages for each question and answer pair.

Rate Simulator Configurations

The Rate Simulator prompts customers to answer a few short questions about how they might change their energy use.

For each element listed in the table, indicate the desired configuration in the Input Value column. If you do not provide an input for optional configurations, the default will be used.

Table 3-1 Configuration Options

Configuration Option	Input Value
Disable the Rate Simulator The Rate Simulator survey can be hidden. Default: Enable the Rate Simulator.	Required Choose one of the following: Use the default. Disable the Rate Simulator.
9. Rate Simulator Time of Use Hours The hours presented to the customer in the question related to shifting energy use to avoid peak times. Default: 3:00pm to 8:00pm	Required Choose one of the following: Use the default. Provide peak hours timeframe.
10. Rate Simulator Peak Event Hours The hours presented to the customer in the question related to reducing energy use during peak events. Default: 3:00pm to 8:00pm	Required Choose one of the following: Use the default. Provide peak event hours timeframe.
10. Rate Simulator Peak Event Days The number of days presented to the customer in the question related to reducing energy use during peak events. Default: 15 days	Required Choose one of the following: Use the default. Provide the number for peak event days to present in the Rate Simulator. These days are also used to determine the number of peak days modeled in the appropriate calculations.
Rate Simulator Electric Vehicle Question (Not Depicted) The question about whether the customer plans to purchase an electric vehicle (EV) can be shown. Default: Disabled.	Optional Choose one of the following: Use default. Enable the question.

User Experience Variations

The user experience varies for customers depending upon their service types, available data, costs, and locale. For more information, see Rate Comparison in the Digital Self Service - Energy Management Cloud Services Overview.