Email 3: How's Your Solar Data Trending?

The third email solar customers receive is the How's Your Solar Data Trending email. This message arrives approximately three months after a customer begins their solar program, and is triggered after Opower receives the third billed read in the data file.

The content of the message varies, depending on whether the customer has saved money since switching to solar. The message displays the average monthly charges before and after moving to solar. If the customer is not experiencing a savings since switching to solar, the message includes some information about why they might not be seeing the savings they were expecting. The message also clarifies the difference between gross and net production, and directs users to additional resources that can help explain the difference.

The How's Your Solar Data Trending email contains these modules:

  • Solar Email Header
  • Solar 3 - Tracker
  • Solar 3 - Tracker Message for Non Savers (Included only when the average monthly cost has not decreased since switching to solar.)
  • Solar 3 - Production Numbers Don't Match
  • Solar Email Footer

Solar Email Header

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.

Subject Line: <First Name>, congratulations on making the switch to solar

Company Logo: The utility's company logo displays at the top of the email.

Customer Account Number: The customer's account number displays below the logo in the format defined during the configuration process.

Figure 4-9 Solar Email Header


This image shows an example of the header module.

Solar 3 - Tracker Module

This module provides customers with an at-a-glance view of how much they are saving since moving to their solar program.

The following components are included in the Tracker module:

Heading: The heading provides positive feedback on the customer's savings since moving to solar. This statement changes dynamically based on the customer's actual spending.

Comparison Boxes: This graphic includes two boxes that show a comparison between the customer's average monthly electricity spending before going solar and after going solar.

Date Range: Below the graphic, the date range used to compare pre-solar and post-solar spending is displayed. The date ranges are dynamically generated based on available customer data.

Disclaimer Statement: Use this disclaimer to add any additional information you need to share with the customer. By default, the disclaimer is not displayed. When displayed, the default disclaimer text reads, "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.

Figure 4-10 Solar 3 Tracker


This image shows an example of the Solar 3 Tracker module.

Solar 3 - Tracker Message for Non-Savers Module

This module appears in the email only when the customer has not experienced savings since moving to solar. The wording reminds customers that seasonal weather can impact their savings.

The following components are included in the Tracker - Message for Non-savers module:

Heading: The module heading reminds customers to keep the following information in mind.

Statement: The statement explains to users how seasonal weather can impact their bill, and provides a link to additional resources.

Figure 4-11 Solar 3 Tracker for Non-Savers


This image shows an example of the Solar 3Tracker for Non Savers module.

Solar 3 - Production Numbers Don't Match Module

This module explains the difference between the numbers solar providers share with their customers and what the customer will see on their solar utility bill.

The following components are included in the Production Numbers Don't Match module:

Heading: The heading tells customers that this module is going to help alleviate confusion about solar billing and production numbers.

Explanatory Statement: This statement tells the user there is a reason why they are seeing different numbers from their solar provider compared to their utility. The statement reads, "Solar customers like you often wonder why solar providers show a different production number than we show on your bill. Here's the simple difference:".

Solar Provider Graphic: This image depicts the solar provider.

Solar Provider Subheading: This subheading identifies the solar provider. For example, "Your Solar Provider".

Solar Provider Statement: This statement explains the meaning of the numbers the solar provider shows.

Utility Graphic: This image depicts the utility company.

Utility Subheading: This subheading identifies the utility company.

Utility Statement: This statement explains the meaning of the numbers the utility company shows.

Learn More About The Difference Button: Customers can click this button to visit the utility's solar and Net Energy Metering page.

Figure 4-12 Production Numbers Don't Match


This image provides an example of the Product Numbers Don't Match module.

Solar Email Footer

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.

Unsubscribe Link: This link enables customers to unsubscribe from the emails.

Utility Address: This statement includes 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.

Figure 4-13 Solar Email Footer


This image shows an example of the footer.

Email 3 - User Experience Variations

This section discusses how the email might vary.

Net Billing Customers

This image shows an example of how the Product Numbers Don't Match section of the email varies for Net Billing customers:

Figure 4-14 Net Billing Variation


This image shows an example of how the Product Numbers Don't Match section of the email varies for Net Billing customers.

Newcomer with Less than 12 Months of Data

When a customer has less than 12 months of billing data with the utility before moving to a solar program, the Solar 3 - Tracker module varies as follows:

  • The heading discusses how the customer is tracking, and does not indicate that they are saving.
  • Comparison box 1 displays average monthly electricity charges rather than average charges before going solar.
  • Comparison box 2 displays total electricity charges rather than average charges since going solar.
  • The data range statement includes only the dates during which the customer has been active on their solar program.

Non-Saver Experience

When a customer's spending increases or stays the same after moving to solar, the experience varies as follows:

  • The Solar 3 - Tracker module heading reads, "Looks like you aren't seeing the savings you expected."
  • The Solar 3 - Tracker - Message for Non-Savers module, described above, is included in the email.

Buy All/Sell All

The Production Numbers Don't Match portion of the email changes as follows:

  • Heading: The heading reads "Confused about your solar bills?"
  • Explanatory Statement: The statement reads "Solar customers like you often wonder how they are being billed for their electricity usage and solar production. Here's a simple explanation:".
  • Solar Provider Graphic: This image is replaced with the Electricity Used graphic, which shows a power strip.
  • Solar Provider Subheading: This subheading changes to read "Electricity Used".
  • Solar Provider Statement: This statement is replaced with the electricity use statement, which reads "You are charged for the amount of energy that your home uses, regardless of whether it came from the grid or your solar panels. This is the same amount you would be paying if you didn't have solar panels."
  • Utility Graphic: This image is replaced with the Electricity Produced graphic, which shows a solar panel.
  • Utility Subheading: This subheading changes to read "Electricity Produced".
  • Utility Statement: This statement is replaced with the solar product statement, which reads "You are credited for the amount of energy that your solar panels generate, regardless of whether it is used by your home or sent back to the grid."
  • Learn More About The Difference Button: This buttons is replaced with the SEE YOUR USAGE AND PRODUCTION button, which redirects the customer to the utility's website.