# Selecting Imagery The imagery selection page is your starting point for every quote. Choose high-quality satellite or aerial imagery, configure quote settings, and set up customer information—all before entering the 3D design tool. ## What is the Imagery Selection Page? This is where you: - **Select Imagery Source** - Choose from multiple imagery providers - **Position & Frame** - Zoom and pan to frame the property perfectly - **Enter Customer Details** - Name, contact info, project details - **Configure Utility** - Select utility company and rate structure - **Set Energy Usage** - Input customer's current energy consumption ## Imagery Sources Powerlily offers multiple imagery providers with different advantages. ### Available on All Plans #### Google Satellite **Advantages:** - Global coverage - Frequently updated - High resolution in most areas - Familiar imagery **Best For:** - Most residential projects - Urban and suburban areas - General use #### Bing Satellite **Advantages:** - Alternative perspective - Sometimes more recent than Google - Good coverage **Best For:** - When Google imagery is outdated - Comparing perspectives - Backup option ### Available on Pro Plan #### Pictometry (Eagleview) **Advantages:** - Oblique (angled) imagery available - Very high resolution - Multiple viewing angles - Professional-grade imagery **Best For:** - Complex roof structures - Detailed analysis needed - When perpendicular view is important #### Nearmap Satellite **Advantages:** - Extremely high resolution - Very frequent updates (often quarterly) - Exceptional detail quality - True ortho mode available **Best For:** - New construction - When highest detail needed - Recent changes to property #### Nearmap True Ortho **The Most Accurate Option** True orthographic imagery is a composite image that is geometrically corrected to be perfectly perpendicular. **What Makes True Ortho Special:** - **No Distortion** - Buildings appear straight, not leaning - **Accurate Measurements** - Most precise measurements possible - **No Perspective Shift** - Consistent scale across entire image - **Professional Grade** - Used for engineering and surveying **Technical Details:** - Created from multiple images - Processed to remove perspective distortion - True bird's-eye view from directly above - Every pixel at same scale **When to Use True Ortho:** - ✅ Complex commercial buildings - ✅ When precision is critical - ✅ Large-scale projects - ✅ Irregular roof shapes - ✅ Permitting and engineering **Regular Nearmap vs. True Ortho:** - Regular: Single aerial photo (slight distortion) - True Ortho: Composite corrected image (no distortion) #### Custom Imagery Upload **Upload Your Own Imagery** Use imagery from other sources: - Drone photography - Private aerial photography - CAD overlays - Recent site photos **Supported Formats:** - JPG/JPEG - PNG - TIFF **Best For:** - Very recent construction - Drone surveys you've conducted - When standard imagery unavailable - Custom accuracy requirements ## Selecting Your Imagery ### Step 1: Choose Provider 1. Open quote creation or imagery selection 2. See available imagery providers 3. Click on provider to preview 4. Switch between providers to compare **Tips:** - Check multiple providers - Look for most recent imagery - Verify property is clearly visible - Ensure adequate resolution ### Step 2: Position the View #### Zoom Controls **Zoom In/Out:** - Click **+** button to zoom in - Click **-** button to zoom out - Scroll wheel also works - Get close enough to see roof details **Optimal Zoom:** - Entire property visible - Roof details clear - Surrounding context included - Trees and obstructions identifiable #### Pan Controls **Move the Image:** - **Arrow Buttons** - Around image border - **Up Arrow** ⬆️ - Move view up - **Down Arrow** ⬇️ - Move view down - **Left Arrow** ⬅️ - Move view left - **Right Arrow** ➡️ - Move view right **Incremental Movement:** - Each click moves view slightly - Make small adjustments - Center property perfectly - Include relevant features #### Repositioning the Marker **Move Marker Button:** If property isn't in view: 1. Click **Move Marker** button 2. Returns to larger map view 3. Drag map pin to correct location 4. Click **Confirm** or **Continue** 5. Returns to imagery selection 6. Imagery now centered on new location **When to Use:** - Initial location was wrong - Address geocoded incorrectly - Need to shift to different building - Want different perspective ### Step 3: Frame the Shot **What to Include:** ✅ **Include:** - Entire building/structure - All roof surfaces - Nearby trees - Surrounding driveways - Adjacent structures (if relevant) - Property boundaries ❌ **Avoid:** - Cutting off building edges - Too much empty space - Unnecessary neighboring properties - Poor framing **Perfect Frame Checklist:** - [ ] Building centered - [ ] All roofs visible - [ ] Trees included - [ ] Good resolution - [ ] Recent imagery - [ ] Clear view ## Customer Information Enter customer details on this page: ### Required Information **Customer Name** - Full name for proposal - Appears throughout quote - Used in greetings and communications **Email Address** - For sending quote link - Portal access - Communications **Phone Number** (Optional but recommended) - Contact during project - Follow-up calls - Emergency contact **Property Address** - Installation location - May differ from billing address - Used for permits and utilities ### Project Details **Project Name/Title** (Optional) - Internal reference - Helpful for multi-building projects - E.g., "Smith Residence - Main House" ## Utility Configuration ### Selecting Utility Company **Why This Matters:** - Different rates affect savings calculations - Net metering policies vary - Incentives differ by utility - Import/export rates unique to utility **How to Select:** 1. **Dropdown Menu** - Click utility field 2. **Search** - Type utility name 3. **Select** - Click correct utility 4. **Verify** - Ensure correct company **If Utility Not Listed:** - Select "Custom Utility" - Enter rates manually later - Or contact support to add utility ### Rate Structure Selection Some utilities offer multiple rate plans: - Residential standard - Time-of-use (TOU) - Tiered rates - Demand charges **Select Appropriate Rate:** - Customer's current rate plan - Or recommended optimal plan - Affects savings calculations ## Energy Consumption Input Critical for accurate system sizing and savings calculations. ### Input Methods **Choose one method:** #### 1. Monthly Dollar Amount **Average Monthly Bill:** - Enter typical monthly electric bill - In dollars ($) - System calculates kWh - Based on utility rates **Best When:** - Customer knows monthly bill - Don't have kWh data - Quick estimates **Example:** - Average monthly bill: $185 - System converts to ~1,200 kWh/month #### 2. Yearly Dollar Amount **Total Annual Cost:** - Enter total yearly electric cost - In dollars ($) - System calculates monthly average - Converts to kWh **Best When:** - Have annual total from review - More accurate than monthly average - Accounts for seasonal variation **Example:** - Annual bill: $2,220 - System calculates monthly average: $185 - Converts to monthly kWh #### 3. Monthly kWh **Average Monthly Usage:** - Enter typical monthly consumption - In kilowatt-hours (kWh) - Most accurate method - Direct from utility bill **Best When:** - Customer has utility bill handy - Want most accurate sizing - kWh clearly stated **Example:** - Monthly usage: 1,200 kWh - System calculates cost based on utility rates #### 4. Yearly kWh **Total Annual Usage:** - Enter total yearly consumption - In kilowatt-hours (kWh) - Most accurate overall - Accounts for all seasonal variation **Best When:** - Have full year of data - Want highest accuracy - Can see annual summary **Example:** - Annual usage: 14,400 kWh - System calculates monthly average: 1,200 kWh ### Where to Find Energy Usage **Utility Bill:** - kWh clearly labeled - Usually near charges - May show history **Online Account:** - Login to utility website - Usage dashboard - Historical data - Download reports **Utility Apps:** - Mobile app - Usage tracking - Detailed breakdowns **Annual Summary:** - Many utilities send yearly summary - Most accurate data - Shows seasonal patterns ### Tips for Accurate Usage Input **Get Actual Data:** - Don't guess if possible - Request bill from customer - More accurate = better system design **Account for Seasons:** - Use annual data when available - Summer AC usage - Winter heating - Spring/fall lows **Future Considerations:** - Adding EV? - Pool/hot tub? - Home additions? - Consider increase if applicable **Verify Reasonableness:** - Typical home: 800-1,500 kWh/month - Large home: 1,500-2,500 kWh/month - Small home/condo: 400-800 kWh/month - Flag if outside normal ranges ## Best Practices ### Imagery Selection **Compare Providers:** - Don't just use first option - Check 2-3 providers - Find most recent imagery - Verify quality before proceeding **Check Image Date:** - Recent construction may not show - Verify trees haven't grown - Ensure no major changes - Note image age to customer if old **Consider True Ortho:** - Use for commercial projects - Worth upgrade for complex roofs - Most accurate measurements - Professional presentations ### Frame Composition **Center the Property:** - Equal margins on all sides - Aesthetically pleasing - Professional appearance **Include Context:** - Show driveways for access - Include trees for shading analysis - Capture full property **Verify Resolution:** - Zoom in enough for details - Not so close that context lost - Roof features visible - Trees identifiable ### Data Accuracy **Double-Check Customer Info:** - Spelling of name - Email address format - Phone number accuracy - Address correctness **Verify Utility:** - Correct company - Right service territory - Appropriate rate plan **Accurate Usage Data:** - Get from actual bills - Use annual data if available - Account for changes - Verify reasonableness ## Troubleshooting ### Property Not Visible **Solutions:** - Try different imagery provider - Click "Move Marker" and reposition - Verify correct address - Check if imagery outdated ### Low Resolution Imagery **Solutions:** - Try different provider - Pro plan has higher resolution options - Use Nearmap if available - Consider custom imagery upload ### Recent Construction **Solutions:** - Upload drone photo if available - Use oldest available imagery to see land - Note to customer imagery is outdated - May need site visit ### Utility Not Listed **Solutions:** - Search with different spelling - Try abbreviation or full name - Select "Custom Utility" - Contact support to add utility ### Can't Find Usage Data **Solutions:** - Request bill from customer - Check online utility account - Use typical usage for home size - Can update later when data available ## After Selection Once imagery is selected and information entered: 1. **Review** - Double-check all entries 2. **Continue** - Proceed to design tool 3. **Imagery Locked** - This imagery used for design 4. **Can Change** - Return to this page to change imagery if needed **Design Tool Opens With:** - Selected imagery loaded - Properly framed view - Ready to start drawing - DSM data available (if supported) --- **Next:** Start designing with the [[Design Tool/Overview|3D Design Tool]].