From Layout to Checkout: Creating Purchasable BoMs with Auto Design Templates
Designing fast is great. Ordering fast is better. At our recent OS 3.0 launch event, we unveiled our biggest release yet which transformed OpenSolar from a leading solar design and sales tool to a comprehensive operating system. With new features like Auto Design and enhanced Shop capabilities, you can now move seamlessly from creating a design to a complete, purchasable Bill of Materials (BoM) in one smooth flow.
What is Auto Design?
Auto Design is all about OpenSolar doing the heavy lifting for you. It uses OpenSolar’s proprietary AI, Ada, to analyze the site, propose panel placement, autostring, and get your system to a solid starting point in seconds. You’re left to review and refine, not start from scratch.
Templates that handle the details
Every installer has a way they like to build. Templates let you standardize this for every project.
You can set up templates that include your full Balance of System (BOS), clamps, isolators, conduit, labels, the lot, and your preferred mounting provider. Once saved, those choices are reusable across projects, so your designs stay consistent and your parts lists stay accurate.
Purchasable BoMs, every time
When you combine Auto Design with your templates, you can guarantee you’re creating purchasable BoMs. Ada proposes the system and your template adds in the exact components you trust. No more “close enough” BoMs or chasing substitutions, just a complete BoM that’s ready to order.
Tweak the layout, keep the certainty
Panel layout not quite right? No drama. Adjust panel placement, tilt, or array sizing in a jiffy. You stay in control of the design while keeping the ordering confidence that comes with a standardized parts list.
One-click ordering throughout with Shop
With a complete, template-driven BoM in place, all you need to do is confirm which supplier you want to purchase from. You can even split your order between distributors.
Then, checkout on OpenSolar is as simple as it gets: one-click ordering from the Hardware Tab. Review quantities, confirm pricing, and place the order, no copy-paste, no double entry, no surprises.
Shop helps you source the right components quickly and confidently, all without leaving your design workflow. Shop is currently available in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, giving you access to trusted distributors in each market:
– AU: Solar Outlet
– UK: City Plumbing, HDM, and Segen
– US: Sunrgy
Get started
Create your template: Add your BOS, set defaults, and select your preferred mounting provider.
Run Auto Design: Generate a high-quality starting layout in seconds.
Review & refine: Make quick adjustments; your template keeps the BoM aligned.
Order in one click: Submit straight from OpenSolar Shop with confidence.
If you’re ready to spend less time wrangling parts and more time winning jobs, try Auto Design templates on your next project, and turn great designs into ready-to-ship orders in minutes.
