Email 4: Was Going Solar the Right Decision?
The fourth email solar customers receive is the Was Going Solar the Right Decision email. This message arrives approximately six months after a customer begins their solar program, and is triggered after Opower receives the sixth billed read in the data file.
The message provides a look at the average solar savings the customer is experiencing since starting their solar journey, showing them their average monthly bill before solar and after solar, and showing their average monthly savings. The message also provides tips on how they can become more energy efficient and further boost their savings, and enables them to access additional energy efficiency tips online.
The Was Going Solar the Right Decision email contains the following modules:
- Solar Email Header
- Solar 4 - Tracker
- Solar 4 - Tracker - Save Even More (Included only when average monthly costs decrease since switching to solar.)
- Solar 4 - Tracker - Message for Non Savers(Included only when average monthly costs stay the same or increase since switching to solar.)
- Solar Email Footer
Email 4 - Design and Configuration
This section discusses the design of each module included in the email, and provides details on any available configuration options.
Solar Email Header
This section discusses the design and configuration options for the Solar Email Header module.
Design
The email header introduces the reader to the email and displays the utility's logo and the customer's account number in the appropriate format.
Figure 2-33 Solar Email Header
Configuration Options
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 2-13 Configuration Options
| Configuration Option | Input Value |
|---|---|
|
Company Logo The RGB and CMYK versions of the utility logo as .ai files. Example: UtilityCo_Logo_RGB.ai |
Required Provide the utility logo in the Oracle Utilities Opower Platform Configuration Guide. |
|
Account Number An example of how the customer account number is formatted on the bill. In your example, indicate how many digits should be displayed (in the example below, four digits are displayed). Example: 12-34XX-XXX |
Required Provide the utility logo in the Oracle Utilities Opower Platform Configuration Guide. |
Solar 4 Tracker Module
This section discusses the design and configuration options for the Solar 4 Tracker module.
Design
This module provides customers with an at-a-glance view of how much they are saving since moving to their solar program. The following are components of the Tracker module:
Figure 2-34 Solar 4 Tracker
Configuration Options
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 |
|---|---|
|
Heading You can modify the default heading text. The defaults for customers who are savers and non-savers are:
|
Optional Choose one of the following:
|
|
Disclaimer (Not Depicted) Utilities can use a disclaimer at the bottom of the module to provide any additional detail customers need to know. Default text when set to display: "These charges do not include natural gas charges; electricity charges from third-party solar suppliers; or the cost of ownership, maintenance, and insurance of solar equipment." A configurable URL can also be added to the disclaimer as needed. |
Required Choose one of these options:
|
Solar 4 Tracker Save Even More Module
This section discusses the design and configuration options for the Solar 4 Tracker Save Even More module.
Design
This module provides users with tips they can complete to become more energy efficient. This module appears in the email only if the customer is saving since moving to solar. The following are components of the Save Even More module:
Figure 2-35 Solar 4 Tracker Save Even More
Configuration Options
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 |
|---|---|
|
Tip Images All three tip images can be configured to use utility branding and colors. |
Optional Choose one of the following:
|
|
Tip Heading and Text Energy Efficiency tips are researched and recommended, but these are configurable inputs, as tips may vary by locale and utility. |
Optional Work with your delivery team to discuss tip configuration. |
|
Save Even More Button Text Use this button to direct customers to the utility's tips page. Default: Save Even More |
Optional Choose one of the following:
|
|
Save Even More Button URL Use this button to direct customers to the utility's tips page. |
Required Specify the URL of the page you want to direct customers to. |
Solar 4 Tracker Message for Non Saver Module
This section discusses the design and configuration options for the Solar 4 Tracker Message for Non Saver module.
Design
This module offers customers who are not saving some possible explanations about why they have not experienced any savings since moving to a solar program. This module appears in the email only if the customer is not experiencing a savings (or has no change in savings) since moving to solar. The following are components of the Message for Non-savers module:
Figure 2-36 Message for Non Savers
Configuration Options
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 |
|---|---|
|
Solar Image This image can be configured to use utility branding and colors. |
Optional Choose one of the following:
|
|
Utility Company Name in Explanation Statement The only recommended configuration of this statement is to include the utility's name in the last sentence. |
Optional Specify the name of the utility. |
|
Explore Solar Tips Button Text Use this button to direct customers to the utility's tips page. Default: Explore Solar Tips |
Optional Choose one of the following:
|
|
Explore Solar Tips Button URL Use this button to direct customers to the utility's tips page. Default: Direct users to the Solar Tips page in Ways To Save. |
Required Specify the URL of the page you want to direct customers to. |
Solar Email Footer
This section discusses the design and configuration options for the Solar Email Header module.
Design
The email footer includes required information, such as the utility's address, and links to unsubscribe from emails and manage customer preferences. The footer also provides utilities with a space to include additional legal information, as needed.
Figure 2-37 Solar Email Footer
Configuration Options
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 2-14 Configuration Options
| Configuration Option | Input Value |
|---|---|
|
Utility Address The address must appear in the email due to CAN-SPAM regulations in the US and similar regulations abroad. |
Required Provide the utility's address. |
|
Legal Language This statement can contain legal information, including copyright information, and any additional information the utility wants to include in the email message. |
Optional Provide any legal language that must appear in the email. |
Email 4 - User Experience Variations
This section discusses how the email can vary.
Newcomer Experience
When a customer has less than 12 months of billing data with the utility before moving to a solar program, the Solar 4 - Tracker module varies as follows:
- The heading reads "Six months into your solar journey, here's how you're tracking."
- The heading in comparison box 1 reads "Your average monthly electricity charges".
- The heading in comparison box 2 reads "Your total electricity charges".
- The data range statement includes only the dates during which the customer has been active on their solar program. For example, "Based on electricity charges from March 2024 to August 2024."
Non-Saver Experience
When a customer's spending increases or stays the same after moving to solar, the email varies as follows:
- The Solar 4 - Tracker heading changes to indicate that the customer isn't experiencing the savings they expected.
- The third comparison box displays the average monthly increase instead of the average monthly savings.
- The Solar 4 - Tracker - Save Even More module is omitted, and replaced with the Solar 4 - Tracker - Message for Non-Savers module.