This guide will walk through how to model a Net-Metering tariff using Genability (Automatic utility data). For information on custom tariffs, refer to this article.

How Automatic Usage Data Works in Solargraf

Solargraf integrates with Genability to provide automatic usage data, helping users save time and improve the accuracy of solar project financial models.

When one or more exact utility bills are entered under the project's Utility Settings, Solargraf uses this data to project future electricity consumption. This is achieved through intelligent baselining, which combines:

• Historical bill and kWh usage data from Genability
• The selected automatic tariff
• Actual bills entered into the project

Solargraf then extrapolates the client's annual usage using both historical tariff data and the real usage data provided.

Availability of Automatic Usage Data

This feature is currently available only for projects located in the United States.

To enable automatic utility and tariff data, users must complete several mandatory fields, including:

• Utility
• Tariff
• Post-solar tariff
• Grid connection type

The list of available utilities and tariffs depends on:

• Project Type: Residential or Commercial
• Project Location: Based on the ZIP code selected via the Google Maps pin

Best Practices for Using Automatic Utility Data

To ensure the most accurate results:

• Select the correct utility company and tariff manually. Solargraf does not automatically match the home address with the correct utility and tariff.
• Use exact data from real bills. Avoid estimating based on a single bill.
• Preferably enter usage in kWh rather than dollar amounts.
• Enter accurate billing dates and ensure the year is correct.
• Provide 12 months of data to capture seasonal consumption patterns.
• Use the most recent bills available to reflect current electricity costs.
• Enter the correct estimated inflation rates for the utility to ensure future rate adjustments are accurate.

Follow the steps below to configure the Utility settings for your projects. In this example, we’ll walk through the setup for a Net Metering grid connection type.

Step 1: Utility settings page

• You can access this from the Overview page.

Step 2: Utility and Tariff.

• To enable Automatic Usage Rates, click the option to Fetch Utility/Tariff rates automatically. The available list of automatic usage rates varies according to the project zip code.

• Select the appropriate Utility from the Utility drop-down.

• Select the appropriate Tariff from the drop-down menu shown below. You can identify the correct option by matching its name and code, which are shown in parentheses.

To learn about viewing a tariff, refer to this article.

Step 3: Post Solar Tariff

• In some cases, the client's tariff will change after they've installed their solar system. In this case you can select a Post Solar Tariff. This ensures the right rates are used to compare the before and after solar savings.

To learn about viewing a tariff, refer to this article.

Step 4: Grid Connection Type

There are four grid connection types to choose from: Net Metering, Net Feed-in Tariff (Net Billing), Smart Solar Billing, and Gross Feed-in Tariff. Additionally, the Net Billing tariff (NEM 3.0) is available specifically for projects located in California.

For more information, see Understanding Different Grid Connection Types.

• Select the correct grid connection scheme from the Grid connection type drop-down.

Step 5: Edit Tariff

To access advanced tariff configuration options:

• Go to the Tariff or Post-solar Tariff.
• Click on the Edit Tariff button to reveal additional settings.

• In this window enter inflation rates for both utility buy and sell rates.

• If demand charges exist for this tariff, navigate to the bottom of the window to access Rates > Demand rate.
• Enter the Demand billing Type.

• Navigate to the bottom of the window to access Rates > Export rate settings.
• If you want to value surplus credits at the inflation-adjusted rate at the end of the true-up (expiry) period uncheck the field below:

• If left unchecked,enter the Net Surplus Compensation Rate.

In the same Edit Tariff window follow the steps below:

• Enter the Net credit rollover period.
• Enter the Billing cycle.
• If the period is Monthly, enter the Net credit start month of billing year.
• Enter the Net credit rollover type.

By default, the credit rollover month is set to the project start date. If you need to change it, you have two options:

Option 1: Modify the Project Start Date

You can change the project start date on a project level which will automatically update the credit rollover month.

Option 2: Uncheck the Timeline Setting

Uncheck the option "Update true-up period based on project start month" in the timeline settings on a company level to manually set the credit rollover month.

Additional fields will vary depending on the selected grid connection type. In this case, you’ll see the two fields below that still need to be completed:

• Allow negative utility inflation rate on Webquote
  Choose whether to allow a negative utility inflation rate to appear on the Web-quote.

• Include net credits yearly revenue in total savings
  Select whether to include the yearly revenue from net credits in the total savings calculation.

Step 6: Usage

Utility Usage Input Options in Solargraf

Solargraf offers five different ways to input a client’s electricity usage data under the Utility Settings. Each method serves a different use case depending on the level of detail and type of data available.

1. Usage for Custom Periods

• Select "Usage for custom periods" from the Input dropdown.
• Click + Add usage.
• Enter the start and end dates of the billing period.
• Input the total kWh used during that period.
• Repeat for each bill you want to add.

2. Annual Usage

• Select "Annual usage" from the Input dropdown.
• Enter the total annual consumption in kWh.

3. Average Usage

• Select "Average usage" from the Input dropdown.
• Enter the average monthly consumption in kWh.

4. Monthly Usage

• Select "Monthly usage" from the Input dropdown.
• Enter the kWh value for each month from January to December.

5. Property Size (sq. feet)

• Select "Property size (sq. feet)" from the Input dropdown.
• Enter the square footage of the property.

• Alternatively, you could choose to upload interval data by following the instructions in this article.

Step 7: Consumption profile

• Select a consumption profile based on the homeowner's data.

The consumption profile will show a graph with your client's average daily usage across year and seasons.

• Click "Manage appliances" to enter appliance consumption profiles based on your client's needs.

• Then click '+' to add appliances, and fill in details such as quantity, usage, and power. If the appliance is a future purchase, toggle off "This appliance is included in bills/usage" so Solargraf treats it as a future energy adder.