# Solar Panels Manage your solar panel inventory with detailed specifications, documentation, and media. Create a professional catalog that's automatically used in your quotes and shared with customers. ## Overview Powerlily allows you to: - Import panels from the Powerlily database - Create custom panel configurations - Manage specifications and pricing - Upload documentation and images - Generate QR codes for easy access - Control visibility in quotes ## Adding Panels ### From Powerlily Database **Pre-configured panels with complete specs:** 1. Navigate to **Equipment** → **Panels** 2. Click **"Add from Powerlily List"** 3. Browse available panels 4. Select panels to import 5. Customize as needed **Advantages:** - Complete specifications pre-filled - Accurate dimensions - Industry-standard values - Save time on data entry ### Creating Custom Panels **Build from scratch:** 1. Navigate to **Equipment** → **Panels** 2. Click **"New Panel"** 3. Fill in specifications 4. Upload documentation 5. Set pricing 6. Save and publish ## Panel Specifications ### Basic Information #### Name **Display name for the panel** - Appears in quotes - Shown to customers - Used in equipment catalog - Should be clear and professional **Examples:** - "REC Alpha Pure-R 405W" - "Canadian Solar HiKu6 Mono 410W" - "Qcells Q.PEAK DUO BLK ML-G10+ 400W" #### Description **Rich text description** - Detailed product information - Key selling points - Technology highlights - Customer-facing content **Supports:** - Rich text formatting - Bold, italic, lists - Links - Multiple paragraphs **Best Practices:** - Highlight efficiency - Mention warranties prominently - Include manufacturer reputation - Note any special features #### Model **Manufacturer model number** - Exact model designation - For reference and ordering - Helps with documentation - Technical identification **Examples:** - "REC-405-AA-PURE-R" - "CS3W-410MS" - "Q.PEAK-DUO-BLK-ML-G10+.400" #### Brand **Manufacturer brand selection** - Choose from brand list - Or enter custom brand - Helps organize catalog - Displayed in quotes ### Power Specifications #### Watts (Power Rating) **Nameplate DC power output** - Measured in watts (W) - Standard Test Conditions (STC) - Critical for system sizing - Used in all calculations **Common Ratings:** - Residential: 350W - 450W - Commercial: 400W - 600W - Premium: 440W+ **Important:** - Must be accurate for calculations - Affects system size estimates - Determines production projections #### Efficiency **Panel conversion efficiency** - Percentage (e.g., 21.5%) - Optional but recommended - Shown in specifications - Marketing value **Typical Ranges:** - Standard: 17% - 19% - High efficiency: 19% - 21% - Premium: 21%+ #### Degradation Rate **Annual power loss percentage** **Critical for accurate projections!** This value determines how panel output decreases over time and directly affects: - 30-year production estimates - ROI calculations - Payback period - Savings projections **Typical Values:** - Standard panels: 0.5% - 0.7% - Premium panels: 0.25% - 0.5% - Older technology: 0.7% - 1.0% **How It Works:** - Year 1: 100% output - Year 2: 99.5% (with 0.5% degradation) - Year 3: 99.0% - Year 30: 85.5% **Best Practices:** - Use manufacturer specifications - Don't guess - check datasheet - Conservative estimates build trust - Affects warranty claims #### Bifaciality **Bifacial panel rear-side gain** - Value between 0 and 1 (0% to 100%) - Only for bifacial panels - Optional parameter - Increases production estimates **What is Bifaciality?** - Bifacial panels produce power from both sides - Rear side captures reflected light - Bifaciality factor = rear side efficiency / front side efficiency - Typically 0.70 - 0.85 (70% - 85%) **When to Use:** - Ground mount systems (high albedo) - White membrane roofs - Snow-prone areas - Elevated racking **When Not to Use:** - Dark roofing materials - Standard rooftop installs - Low-albedo surfaces - Panels installed flat on roof **Example Values:** - Typical bifacial: 0.70 - 0.75 - High performance: 0.80 - 0.85 - Monofacial panels: leave blank or 0 ### Physical Dimensions #### Height & Width **Panel physical dimensions** **Critical for accurate drawings!** **Units: INCHES** **Standard Sizes:** - **60-cell panels:** ~65" × 39" - **72-cell panels:** ~78" × 39" - **Half-cut cell:** Similar, various - **Large format:** 82" × 43" (or larger) **Why This Matters:** - 3D design tool accuracy - Roof layout visualization - Panel count calculations - Professional drawings - Customer expectations **How to Measure:** 1. Check manufacturer spec sheet 2. Look for "Module Dimensions" 3. Convert mm to inches if needed 4. Round to nearest tenth **Conversion:** - 1 inch = 25.4 mm - Example: 1979mm = 77.9 inches **Important:** - Without dimensions, panels can't be drawn - "Draw Ready" scope requires valid dimensions - Test in design tool after adding ### Warranties #### Product Warranty **Equipment/workmanship warranty** - Covers defects and failures - Typical: 10-15 years - Some premium: 25 years - Shown in quote specifications **Format:** - Enter number of years - "25" displays as "25 Year Product Warranty" - Leave blank to hide #### Power Warranty **Output guarantee warranty** - Guarantees minimum power output - Typical: 25-30 years - Usually tiered (e.g., 92% at 25 years) - Key selling point **Format:** - Enter number of years - "30" displays as "30 Year Power Warranty" - Leave blank to hide **Marketing Value:** - Longer warranties = better quality perception - Important for customer confidence - Differentiator between products - Include in descriptions ### Pricing #### Value (Your Cost) **Your wholesale/retail cost per panel** **Bill of Materials Pricing:** - Enter your actual panel cost - Quote totals calculated automatically - Includes all equipment costs - Add markup elsewhere (labor, etc.) **Examples:** - Budget panel: $150 - $200 - Mid-range: $200 - $280 - Premium: $280 - $400+ **Benefits:** - Pre-configure pricing once - Send quotes without price editing - Consistent margins - Accurate cost tracking **Best Practices:** - Update when costs change - Include shipping if relevant - Consider volume discounts - Track cost history ### Recommended Inverter **Optional pairing suggestion** - Select compatible inverter - Helps with system design - Shown as recommendation - Not enforced **Use Cases:** - Matched system packages - Manufacturer recommendations - Performance optimization - Quick quote creation ## Visibility & Availability ### Visible Toggle **Control panel availability** **Enabled (Visible = True):** - Available for new quotes - Shown in panel selection - Appears in catalog - Customers can see it **Disabled (Visible = False):** - Hidden from new quotes - Not in panel selection - Not in public catalog - Existing quotes still work **When to Disable:** - Discontinued products - Out of stock panels - Seasonal unavailability - Testing configurations - Old pricing **Important:** - Existing quotes unaffected - Can re-enable anytime - Data preserved - No deletion needed ### Draw Ready **Automatic validation** Panels are "draw ready" when they have: - Valid width (not null, not 0) - Valid height (not null, not 0) - Valid watts (not null, not 0) **Draw Ready = Can be used in 3D design tool** **Not Draw Ready:** - Can still be used in quotes - Just not in visual design - Good for estimates - Need dimensions to draw ## Media & Documentation ### Images **Product photography** **Upload Multiple Images:** - Product photos - Installation examples - Close-up details - Marketing images **Supported Formats:** - JPG/JPEG - PNG - HEIC/HEIF (auto-converted) - Multiple files at once **Image Processing:** - Automatically optimized - Thumbnails generated - Fast loading - Professional display **Display:** - Carousel in equipment catalog - Quote equipment pages - Customer-facing views - Multiple images showcase **Best Practices:** - Use high-resolution images - Professional product shots - Show panels installed - Clear, bright lighting - Consistent styling ### Spec Sheets **Technical documentation** **Upload PDF Spec Sheet:** - Manufacturer datasheet - Complete specifications - Warranty details - Technical drawings **Features:** - One spec sheet per panel - Downloadable by customers - Shown in equipment page - Professional presentation **Best Practices:** - Always include spec sheet - Use latest version - Manufacturer official docs - Complete information ### Additional Documents **Extra PDFs and files** **Upload Multiple Documents:** - Installation guides - Warranty certificates - Test certifications - Marketing materials **Document Management:** - Unlimited documents - Each has preview image - Choose which to display - Organized library **Display Control:** - Select documents for carousel - Show/hide individually - Control what customers see - Keep internal docs private ### Videos **Product demonstration videos** **YouTube Integration:** - Add YouTube video ID or full URL - Video embedded in equipment page - Professional presentation - Engaging content **Examples:** - Product overviews - Installation process - Technology explanations - Manufacturer videos **How to Add:** 1. Find video on YouTube 2. Copy video ID or URL 3. Paste in video field 4. Automatically embedded **Video ID vs URL:** - URL: `https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIDEO_ID_HERE` - ID: `VIDEO_ID_HERE` - Either works! ## QR Codes **Automatic QR code generation** Every panel gets a unique QR code linking to its public equipment page. ### Features - **Auto-generated** - No setup needed - **Unique URL** - Direct link to panel page - **Multiple formats** - SVG and PNG - **Print-ready** - High quality ### Use Cases **Marketing Materials:** - Print on brochures - Add to flyers - Include in proposals - Trade show materials **Physical Products:** - Sticker on panel boxes - Warehouse organization - Inventory tracking - Quick reference **Customer Education:** - Link to full specs - Share more information - Digital catalog access - Easy sharing ### Accessing QR Codes 1. Navigate to panel edit page 2. QR code section available 3. Download as SVG or PNG 4. Print or share as needed **Format Options:** - **SVG** - Scalable, any size, print-quality - **PNG** - Raster image, specific size ## Panel Management ### Editing Panels **Update anytime:** 1. Navigate to panel 2. Click "Edit" 3. Modify specifications 4. Update images/docs 5. Save changes **Changes Affect:** - New quotes immediately - Existing quotes unchanged (locked) - Public catalog updated - Customer-facing content ### Deleting Panels **Deletion Rules:** ✅ **Can Delete:** - Unused panels - Never used in quotes - Test configurations - Duplicates ❌ **Cannot Delete:** - Used in any quote (active or archived) - Referenced by customers - In historical data **Why This Restriction?** - Protects quote integrity - Preserves historical data - Prevents broken references - Maintains accuracy **Alternative: Disable Instead** - Set Visible = False - Hides from new quotes - Keeps data intact - Can re-enable later ### Cloning Panels **Duplicate to create variants:** - Start with existing panel - Modify specifications - Different pricing - Same base specs **Use Cases:** - Create panel tiers - Different pricing regions - Test configurations - Seasonal pricing ## Best Practices ### Specification Accuracy **Always Verify:** - Check manufacturer datasheets - Confirm current model numbers - Validate warranty terms - Test dimensions in design tool **Don't Guess:** - Degradation rates affect 30-year projections - Wrong dimensions break drawings - Incorrect watts missize systems - Bad data loses credibility ### Documentation **Complete Profiles:** - Upload spec sheet - Add product images - Write compelling descriptions - Include videos when available **Keep Updated:** - Refresh when specs change - Update discontinued notices - New model replacements - Pricing updates ### Catalog Organization **Strategic Visibility:** - Show current products - Hide discontinued items - Feature premium options - Seasonal adjustments **Naming Conventions:** - Consistent format - Include wattage - Brand first - Professional appearance ### Pricing Strategy **Accurate Costs:** - Update regularly - Include all costs - Track changes - Consistent margins **Value Pricing:** - Premium vs budget tiers - Volume considerations - Market positioning - Competitive analysis ## Integration with Quotes **How panels flow into quotes:** 1. **Selection** - Choose panel during quote creation 2. **Design** - Place panels in 3D tool (if draw ready) 3. **Calculations** - Production estimates generated 4. **Pricing** - BOM calculates from panel value 5. **Presentation** - Specs shown to customer 6. **Catalog** - Customer can browse all panels **Quote Lock:** - Quotes capture panel specs at creation - Future edits don't affect existing quotes - Historical accuracy preserved - Pricing locked in --- **Related:** [[Inverters|Inverter Management]] | [[Equipment|Equipment Overview]] | [[Equipment Catalogue|Equipment Catalogue]]