Email 6: Your First Solar Year in Review

The sixth and final email solar customers receive is the Your First Solar Year In Review email. This message arrives approximately 12 months after a customer begins their solar program, and is triggered after Opower receives the 12th billed read in the data file.

This message provides an annual summary of the customer's electric charges compared the previous year, and highlights how much they saved by switching to solar. The message also provides easy access to the utility's online resources such as energy-saving tips and solar billing resources. Finally, the message tells the customer that they will no longer receive solar emails.

The Your First Solar Year In Review email contains these modules:

  • Solar Email Header
  • Solar 6 - Tracker
  • Solar 6 - Tracker - EE For Savers (Included only when annual costs have decreases since switching to solar.)
  • Solar 6 - Tracker - Message for Non Savers (Included only when annual costs stay the same or increase since switching to solar.)
  • Solar 6 - Explore Data Browser
  • 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 4-25 Solar Email Header


This image shows an example of the header module.

Solar 6 - Tracker Module

This module congratulates customers on the completion of one year on a solar program, and provides an at-a-glance view of how much they saved during the year.

Heading: The heading provides positive feedback on the customer's savings since moving to solar, and congratulates them on completing one year in the solar program.

Last Year*: This statement displays how much the customer's average monthly electricity charges were last year, before their solar system became operational. The asterisk directs users to the date range statement below the graphic.

This Year*: This statement displays how much the customer's average monthly electricity charges were this year, after their solar system became operational. The asterisk directs users to the date range statement below the graphic.

You Saved: This statement displays the customer's total savings compared to last year. This statement appears only if the customer experienced savings during their first year.

Date Range: Below the cost comparison, 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 (Not depicted): Use this disclaimer to add any additional information you need to share with the customer. By default, the disclaimer is not displayed. If it is set to display, 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 4-26 Solar 6 Tracker


This image shows an example of the Solar 6 Tracker module.

Solar 6 - Tracker Energy Efficiency for Savers Module

This module encourages customers to become more energy efficient, and appears in the email only when the customer has experienced savings since moving to solar.

Heading: The heading reminds customers that there are additional resources available to help them become more energy efficient.

Explanatory Statement: This statement tells customers that there are many additional ways to become energy efficient, and help them get the most out of their solar investment.

See More Ways To Save Button: Customers can click this button to visit the utility's energy efficiency page.

Figure 4-27 Energy Efficiency for Savers


This image shows an example of the Solar Tracker 6 Energy Efficiency for Savers module.

Solar 6 - Tracker Message for Non-Savers Module

This module encourages customers to become more energy efficient, and appears in the email only when the customer has not experienced a savings since moving to solar.

Heading: The heading reminds customers that they can still start saving money using a solar system.

Explanatory Statement: This statement tells customers that there are many additional ways to become energy efficient, and help them get the most out of their solar investment.

See More Ways To Save Button: Customers can click this button to visit the utility's energy efficiency page.

Figure 4-28 Message for Non-Savers


This image shows an example of the Message for Non-Savers module.

Solar 6 - Explore Data Browser Module

This module directs solar customers to additional resources at the utility. Customers can use these resources to review additional information about their solar program.

Heading: The module heading reminds customers to explore their solar data.

Image: This image shows a computer screen with a graph.

Explanatory Statement: This statement explains that this is the last email communication in the solar email program. It also reminds users to be aware of how weather impacts their solar production and electricity charges. The statement reads, "This email series is at an end, but that doesn’t mean you’re on your own when it comes to your solar journey. We encourage you to go online to keep an eye on your solar savings and kWh credits, see how local weather has impacted your solar results, and more."

See My Solar Data Button: Customers can click this button to visit the utility's solar billing landing page.

Figure 4-29 Explore Data Browser


This image shows the Explore Data Browser 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 4-30 Solar Email Footer


This image shows an example of the footer.

Email 6 - 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 6 - Tracker module is replaced with the Solar 5 - Tracker module from Email 5, and displays the following:

  • The heading congratulates the customer on their one-year milestone with solar.
  • Comparison box 1 displays average monthly electricity charges rather than before solar data.
  • Comparison box 2 displays total electricity charges rather than after solar data.
  • Comparison box 3 is omitted.
  • 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 February 2025."

Non-Saver Experience

If the customer is not saving since moving to solar, the email varies as follows:

  • The Solar 6 - Tracker module does not display the You Saved section.
  • The Solar 6 - Tracker - Message for Non-Savers module is included in the email in place of the Solar 6 - Tracker - EE for Savers module.