Solar Dashboards vs. Generic ERP Dashboards

Solar dashboards are purpose-built tools designed specifically for the solar industry, offering features like real-time project tracking, milestone-based invoicing, and compliance management. In contrast, generic ERP dashboards are broad, flexible systems that lack the solar-specific metrics and workflows needed to manage complex solar projects effectively.

Key takeaways:

• Solar dashboards (e.g., SolarSuccess) provide tailored features for solar businesses, such as energy production tracking, automated permit updates, and integrated workflows across sales, design, and accounting.
• Generic ERP dashboards work well for general business needs but often require extensive customization to handle solar-specific tasks like rebate tracking or regulatory compliance.
• Solar dashboards reduce inefficiencies, improve collaboration, and provide real-time visibility, making them a better fit for solar companies managing large-scale or complex projects.

Quick Comparison:

Solar dashboards are ideal for solar companies aiming to streamline operations and manage industry-specific challenges. Generic ERP dashboards, while suitable for smaller businesses, often fall short as operations grow more complex.

Solar Dashboards: Features and Benefits

Solar dashboards are purpose-built platforms designed to tackle the unique challenges of the solar industry. Unlike generic dashboards, which offer broad tools for multiple industries, solar dashboards are tailored specifically for the demands of solar installation, development, and maintenance. They come pre-configured with metrics, integrations, and workflows that align with the industry’s operational needs right out of the box.

This distinction matters. Generic ERP dashboards may be flexible but lack the depth needed to address the intricacies of solar projects. Solar dashboards, on the other hand, are built to handle the complexities of milestone-based payments, regulatory compliance, performance tracking, and more. This specialized approach ensures precise insights and streamlined processes at every stage of a project.

Key Features of Solar Dashboards

Solar dashboards come equipped with a range of features that cater specifically to the solar industry:

• Tracking Key Performance Metrics: These platforms monitor critical data such as system performance, energy production forecasts, installation milestones, permit statuses, and rebate timelines. These aren’t optional add-ons – they’re integral to the system’s design.
• Real-Time Project Tracking: Beyond basic project management, solar dashboards automate the tracking of project completion, manage time and expenses across multiple sites, and handle accounting events tied to construction milestones. This level of automation is essential for large-scale projects involving numerous stakeholders over extended timelines.
• Integrated CRM and Project Management: By combining customer relationship management with project workflows, solar dashboards ensure seamless transitions from initial contact to project completion. This eliminates the need for manual data entry and reduces errors caused by version control issues.
• Automated Document Management: Solar projects generate a mountain of paperwork – permits, interconnection agreements, rebate applications, and more. Platforms like SolarSuccess simplify this by offering drag-and-drop document management systems that organize and track these files throughout the project lifecycle.
• Workflow Automation: Repetitive tasks, such as generating invoices based on milestones or sending alerts for approved permits, are automated. This saves time and ensures that critical next steps are triggered without delays.

These features directly address some of the biggest operational challenges in solar projects, delivering efficiency and clarity.

"Solar installation has many moving parts, all generating soft costs, and there is no single application that solves them all, because you have to address inefficiencies across all functions of the entire company. We looked at other solutions, but NetSuite worked out best for us because it handles accounting and operational logistics items in tandem with project management really well. SolarSuccess streamlined things even further and allowed us to add our own customizations on top of NetSuite." – Aaron Casillas, Technology & Infrastructure Director

Benefits of Solar Dashboards

The advantages of using solar dashboards extend across multiple facets of a business:

• Lower Soft Costs: Soft costs – like permitting, inspections, and administrative overhead – often make up a large portion of project expenses. Solar dashboards reduce these costs by automating workflows and minimizing manual errors.
• Improved Team Collaboration: With everyone working on the same platform, communication becomes seamless. Integrated tools allow teams to access shared documents, receive real-time updates, and stay aligned. Features like on-record chat and automated notifications ensure critical information gets to the right people at the right time.
• Real-Time Visibility: Managers gain instant access to project statuses, financial metrics, and operational data without waiting for weekly reports or manually compiling information. This is especially valuable for companies juggling multiple installations or large-scale projects.
• Optimized Solar-Specific Workflows: Unlike generic software, solar dashboards are designed for industry-specific tasks like milestone invoicing, rebate tracking, and performance monitoring. This eliminates the need for workarounds or manual processes.

These benefits translate into meaningful outcomes for solar companies. Many report being able to "do more with the same number of people", creating predictable operations and improving profitability. In an industry where margins are tight and competition is fierce, such efficiencies can make a significant difference.

Additionally, solar dashboards offer the scalability needed for growth. Whether expanding from residential installations to commercial projects or tackling utility-scale developments, these platforms can handle increasing complexity without requiring major system overhauls or extensive retraining.

Generic ERP Dashboards: Features and Limitations

Generic ERP dashboards are designed to centralize various business functions, offering a flexible solution that can cater to a wide range of industries. While this broad applicability makes them appealing to many sectors, it often comes with compromises for specialized industries like solar.

Key Features of Generic ERP Dashboards

Generic ERP systems bring together data from multiple business functions into a single platform. They typically include tools for financial management – such as accounts receivable, accounts payable, and general ledger management – alongside basic project management, supply chain and inventory tracking, customer relationship management (CRM), and workflow automation.

One of the standout benefits of these dashboards is their ability to break down data silos. By integrating information from different departments, they create a unified platform for operations like accounting, inventory, project management, and CRM. This eliminates conflicting data issues caused by incompatible systems.

Another advantage is their real-time visibility into core operations. Customizable reports and alerts allow businesses to track general KPIs like sales performance, financial health, inventory levels, and project timelines. These dashboards can be tailored to provide users across departments with the specific metrics and trends they need to make informed, data-driven decisions.

For financial management, generic ERP dashboards shine in handling complex tasks like multi-subsidiary consolidations. Spencer Newman, CFO of a company using NetSuite, highlighted this benefit:

"Our financial close was incredibly complicated and fraught with errors because we have so many subsidiaries consolidating together. That problem has almost gone away completely. We can look at all of our subsidiaries as standalones or consolidate them into our main financials. That’s been useful from a financial planning standpoint."

Additionally, these systems offer workflow automation for routine tasks, such as generating invoices tied to project milestones. However, the automation capabilities are generally limited to standard processes and may not address the unique workflows of specialized industries like solar.

Despite these strengths, generic ERP dashboards often fall short when it comes to meeting the specific operational needs of solar businesses.

Limitations for Solar Businesses

Generic ERP systems are not designed with the solar industry in mind, leaving significant gaps in their functionality. While they can track broad metrics like total sales or project completion rates, they lack the ability to monitor critical solar-specific data such as system performance, energy production forecasts, permit statuses, or rebate timelines.

This limitation often forces solar companies to rely on spreadsheets for key data, which undermines the goal of having a unified, reliable dashboard. The fragmented approach makes real-time data analysis cumbersome and error-prone.

Workflow challenges are another drawback. Generic ERPs struggle with solar-specific tasks like milestone-based invoicing tied to construction phases, automated tracking of permits, and managing the complex regulatory compliance requirements unique to solar installations.

Integration issues further complicate their use in the solar sector. Generic systems are not built to natively support specialized tools – such as those used for solar permitting or performance monitoring. This often necessitates extensive customizations or third-party integrations, which increase complexity and the risk of errors.

Adapting a generic ERP for solar operations also demands significant customization. Companies must spend considerable time and resources creating custom fields, generating specialized reports, and developing workarounds for processes that don’t fit the standard ERP model.

Perhaps the biggest drawback is the inability of generic ERP dashboards to manage solar soft costs. These administrative and regulatory expenses can heavily influence project profitability. Without tools specifically designed to track and control these costs, solar companies may find it difficult to operate efficiently or maintain profitability compared to businesses using industry-specific solutions.

While generic ERP dashboards work well for industries like manufacturing and retail by centralizing data and automating standard processes, solar companies face unique operational and regulatory challenges that often require specialized solutions or extensive customization to achieve the desired results.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Solar Dashboards vs. Generic ERP Dashboards

When you pit solar-specific dashboards against generic ERP systems, the differences become pretty clear. Solar dashboards are designed specifically to handle the unique challenges of solar businesses, while generic ERPs try to fit solar operations into a more general framework. The table below lays out these differences in a straightforward way.

Comparison Table: Solar Dashboards vs. Generic ERP Dashboards

One standout difference is data integration. Solar dashboards consolidate everything into a single platform, avoiding the data silos that often plague solar businesses using generic ERP systems.

Why Solar Dashboards Are Better for Solar Businesses

Solar dashboards outperform generic ERP systems because they’re built with the solar industry in mind. Instead of trying to cram solar workflows into generic templates, these platforms are tailored to meet the sector’s unique demands right from the start.

Automation is a game-changer here. For example, solar dashboards can automatically generate invoices when a project hits a specific milestone – something generic ERPs often handle manually. This level of automation not only saves time but also reduces errors that can cut into profits.

By simplifying project lifecycles and cutting down on soft costs, solar dashboards make daily operations smoother. On the other hand, generic systems demand more manual effort or additional tools to handle the same tasks.

Another major advantage is real-time tracking. Solar dashboards give you live updates on project status, costs, inventory, and profitability. Generic ERPs, however, typically stick to tracking broad metrics like sales, leaving solar businesses without the detailed insights they need to make smarter decisions.

The impact of using solar-specific software is hard to ignore. For instance, Blu Banyan’s SolarSuccess is used in almost one-third of rooftop solar installations in the U.S.. This widespread use among top companies highlights how much solar businesses benefit from industry-specific tools.

For large-scale solar projects – where costs can exceed $100 million and involve hundreds of actions and documents – solar dashboards are indispensable. They offer the specialized tools and workflows needed to maintain control and visibility throughout complex project lifecycles. Generic ERPs just aren’t equipped to handle that level of complexity, making solar dashboards the clear choice for businesses in this sector.

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Use Cases and Best Fit Scenarios

Running a solar business efficiently hinges on having access to real-time, accurate data. Below, we’ll explore scenarios where different types of dashboards shine. Your choice should depend on your business’s size, complexity, and operational priorities.

When to Choose Solar Dashboards

Let’s revisit the earlier comparison and look at where solar dashboards truly stand out.

Solar dashboards are ideal for businesses tackling the unique challenges of the solar industry. If you’re juggling multiple projects, managing milestone-based invoicing, or trying to make sense of data spread across various systems, a solar-specific dashboard can be a game-changer.

For large-scale operations, these dashboards are practically indispensable. Utility-scale projects with budgets exceeding $100 million and involving hundreds of tasks and documents demand a level of precision that generic systems simply can’t deliver. At this scale, real-time insights are critical. Solar dashboards offer detailed data on project performance, asset condition, and financial metrics – all tailored to the solar sector.

Compliance is another major factor. The solar industry comes with strict regulatory requirements, and staying compliant isn’t optional. Solar dashboards with built-in compliance tools can save you time and reduce risks compared to trying to adapt generic systems.

And let’s not forget the financial angle. Solar dashboards can cut the time it takes to move from project initiation to profitable payment by as much as 40%. For companies aiming to accelerate cash flow through integrated tools for sales, CRM, accounting, purchasing, project management, inventory, and reporting, solar-specific solutions deliver measurable benefits.

When Generic ERP Dashboards May Work

Generic ERP dashboards can be a reasonable choice for small or early-stage solar businesses with straightforward operations. If you’re managing a limited number of projects, handling simple residential installations, or only need basic tools for financial and inventory management, a generic system could meet your needs initially.

That said, the simplicity of your operations is the key factor here. Generic ERPs lack solar-specific features, which can lead to inefficiencies and the need for manual workarounds as your business grows [6]. While these systems might seem cost-effective at first, they can quickly become a roadblock.

A hybrid approach is another option. Some businesses pair a generic ERP for core financials with a solar-specific dashboard to handle solar workflows. The challenge here is ensuring data remains consistent and reducing the need for manual data entry between systems.

However, most solar businesses outgrow generic systems fairly quickly. As your project volume increases, compliance demands become more intricate, or you need better real-time insights, the limitations of generic ERPs can turn into costly hurdles. While they might work as a temporary solution, growing businesses often find that a solar-specific dashboard is essential to keep up with their evolving needs.

Conclusion

Choosing between solar-specific dashboards and generic ERP dashboards goes beyond a simple feature comparison – it’s about ensuring long-term operational success. When you dig into the details, it becomes evident that solar dashboards offer distinct benefits tailored for the complexities of the solar industry that generic systems can’t replicate.

Solar dashboards play a critical role in speeding up project-to-cash cycles and enhancing profitability on projects worth over $100 million by providing real-time, solar-focused insights. While generic ERP dashboards can handle basic business functions, they fall short when it comes to managing the intricate and high-stakes demands of solar projects.

What sets solar dashboards apart is their ability to provide real-time visibility and seamlessly integrate workflows. This eliminates the inefficiencies caused by data silos and the need for manual workarounds, which are common pain points for businesses relying on disconnected systems.

The specialized capabilities of solar dashboards address gaps that generic systems can’t fill. For solar companies aiming to operate efficiently and meet industry-specific needs, solutions like SolarSuccess are more than just helpful – they’re strategic. SolarSuccess, for instance, supports nearly one-third of all rooftop solar installations in the U.S., showcasing its widespread adoption and impact. Features such as milestone-based invoicing, automated rebate processing, and solar-specific KPIs tackle challenges unique to the solar sector, leaving generic systems behind.

While generic ERP dashboards may suffice for smaller businesses with straightforward needs, most solar companies quickly surpass those limitations. With the added complexity of regulatory compliance, intricate project structures, and specialized workflows, solar dashboards aren’t just a better choice – they’re a necessary one. Adopting purpose-built solutions positions solar businesses for growth that’s both efficient and data-driven.

FAQs

What are the benefits of using solar-specific dashboards instead of generic ERP dashboards for managing solar projects?

Solar-specific dashboards are crafted to meet the distinct needs of solar businesses, offering tools and insights that go beyond what generic ERP dashboards provide. With features like real-time tracking, they allow teams to monitor essential data – such as project timelines, costs, and performance metrics – enabling quicker, smarter decision-making.

What sets these dashboards apart is their ability to handle solar industry workflows. From tracking installation progress and monitoring energy production to managing compliance requirements, they simplify complex processes. This enhanced visibility and streamlined operation help solar businesses work more efficiently and maintain a competitive edge.

How do solar-specific dashboards help reduce costs and boost profitability in solar projects?

Solar-focused dashboards deliver real-time data on key metrics, empowering solar businesses to make quick and well-informed decisions. By presenting a straightforward overview of project performance, these tools support smarter cost management, simplify workflows, and cut down on inefficiencies.

They also play a crucial role in spotting and resolving potential problems early on, helping to avoid delays and unplanned costs. This leads to reduced soft costs, smoother operations, and higher profitability for solar projects.

Is it better to customize a generic ERP dashboard for a solar business, or should you start with a solar-specific dashboard?

Generic ERP dashboards can often be customized to meet the needs of a solar business, but the process can be lengthy and might still fall short of addressing the specific demands of the solar industry. Solar-focused dashboards, like those offered by SolarSuccess, are designed with the industry’s workflows, key metrics, and data needs in mind. This means they provide a more efficient and ready-to-use solution right from the start.

With a solar-specific dashboard, businesses gain access to features crafted for their unique challenges – think real-time project tracking, smoother operations, and improved teamwork. This tailored approach not only saves time and resources but also delivers actionable insights that help drive smarter decisions and support growth.

Related Blog Posts

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• Cash Management and Solar Compliance
• How NetSuite Enhances Solar Impact Data
• Solar ERP vs. Spreadsheets: Financial Tracking