Email 5: Build Your Solar Expertise

The fifth email solar customers receive is the Build Your Solar Expertise email. This message arrives approximately nine months after a customer begins their solar program, and is triggered after Opower receives the ninth billed read in the data file.

The message provides average monthly savings information, and additional details about how seasons, weather, and temperatures can impact energy savings and production for solar customers. The message enables users to access additional online resources, such as the Digital Self Service - Energy Management Data Browser, where they can view weather data, or the utility's online tips page.

The Build Your Solar Expertise email contains these modules:

  • Solar Email Header
  • Solar 5 - Tracker
  • Solar 5 - Weather, Season, Temp
  • Solar 5 - EE Message for Everyone
  • Solar Email Footer

Email 5 - 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 2-38 Solar Email Header


This image shows an example of the header module.

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 2-15 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 5 Tracker Module

This section discusses the design and configuration options for the Solar 5 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.

Figure 2-39 Solar 5 Tracker


This image provides an example of the Solar 5 Tracker module.

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:

  • Saver: Going solar is saving you money!
  • Non-Saver: Going solar hasn't paid off yet.

Optional

Choose one of the following:

  • Use the default headings.
  • Use the following headings:

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.

Optional

Choose one of the following:

  • Do not include a disclaimer.
  • Use the default disclaimer.
  • Use the following disclaimer:

Solar 5 Weather, Seasons, Temp Module

This section discusses the design and configuration options for the Solar 5 Weather, Seasons, Temp module.

Design

This module explains to customers how seasons, temperature and weather can impact their solar production.

Figure 2-40 Weather, Seasons, Temperature


This image shows an example of the Weather, Season, and Temperature module.

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

Seasons, Weather, and Temperature Graphics

These images can be configured to use utility branding and colors.

Optional

Choose one of the following:

  • Use the default images.
  • Use a utility-branded images.

Seasons and Weather Text

The text that displays below the Seasons graphic and the Weather graphic can be configured to accommodate differences in locale for the utility.

Default statements:

  • Seasons: Winter or summer, sunny skies generate electricity. But there are fewer hours of daylight in winter, and the angle of the sun is less direct, so solar production is lower.
  • Weather: Your panels do produce electricity on cloudy days, but less than on a sunny day. Rainy days reduce production, but also clean dust, leaves, and pollen from your panels.

Optional

Choose one of the following:

  • Use the default statements.
  • Use these statements:

View My Weather Data Button Text

Use this button to direct customers to the utility's weather data page.

Default: View My Weather Data

Optional

Choose one of the following:

  • Use the default text.
  • Use the following text:

View My Weather Data Button URL

Use this button to direct customers to the utility's weather data page.

Required

Specify the URL of the page you want to direct customers to.

Solar 5 EE Message for Everyone Module

This section discusses the design and configuration options for the Solar EE Message for Everyone module.

Design

This module reminds customers of additional things they can do to become more energy efficient, and provides them with access to energy saving tips.

Figure 2-41 Energy Efficiency for Everyone


This image shows an example of the Energy Efficiency for Everyone module.

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

Energy Efficiency Image

This image can be configured to use utility branding and colors.

Optional

Choose one of the following:

  • Use the default image.
  • Use a utility-branded image.

See More Ways to Save Button Text

Use this button to direct customers to the utility's tips page.

Default: See More Ways to Save

Optional

Choose one of the following:

  • Use the default text.
  • Use the following text:

See More Ways to Save Button URL

Use this button to direct customers to the utility's tips page.

Default: Direct customers to the Ways to Save page.

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 2-42 Solar Email Footer


This image shows an example of the 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 2-16 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 5 - 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 5 - Tracker module varies as follows:

  • The heading tells the customer how they are tracking, rather than congratulating them on saving.
  • Comparison box 1 displays average monthly electricity charges rather than before solar data.
  • Comparison box 2 displays total electricity charges rather than charges after going solar.
  • Comparison box 3 is not displayed.
  • The data range statement includes only the dates during which the customer has been active on their solar program.

Non-Saver Experience

For customers who are not saving since moving to solar, the Solar 5 - Tracker module varies as follows:

  • The heading discusses how the customer isn't saving yet.
  • Comparison box 3 displays average monthly increase rather than average monthly savings.