How to Set Up and Use Autoquote

Introduction 

Autoquote is a powerful feature designed to save time on quoting while boosting customer engagement. This tool allows installers to automatically generate customized solar quotes and get preliminary pricing in front of prospects quickly, with full control over pricing, services, and lead management. While Autoquote streamlines the initial quoting process, it's designed as a starting point that won't replace the precision and detail of a manual design. This article will guide you through setting up and using Autoquote effectively on the EnergySage platform, helping you accelerate your response time and maximize customer engagement.

Autoquote is customizable to reflect customer-specific data like roof profiles, utility costs, and geography, providing smart preliminary quotes that serve as conversation starters. You can configure settings at the state, county, city, or zip code level, with more specific targets taking priority over broader ones. This ensures location-appropriate pricing while giving you the flexibility to refine quotes through manual design when moving forward with interested customers.

In this Article: 

• Step-by-Step Instructions

  • Stage 1: Set Up Quote Packages

  • Stage 2: Set Up Autoquote Settings

• Managing Autoquote Regularly

• Instant Quoting 

• FAQs or Troubleshooting

Step-by-Step Instructions

Setting up Autoquote involves two main stages: configuring your quote packages and setting up your Autoquote settings. Follow these steps to get started:

Stage 1: Set Up Quote Packages

1. Access Quote Package Settings

• Log in to EnergySage and hover over your name in the top navigation
• Click on "Settings" from the dropdown menu
• Select the "Quote Package Settings" tab
• Tip: Only admin users can access Autoquote settings, so ensure you have the proper permissions

2. Configure Pricing by System Size

• Click into the package you'd like to configure for Autoquote
• Scroll down to the section to adjust price per watt by system size
• Select a cost per watt for each system size range
• Tip: You can add as many system size ranges as needed, with separate cost per watt for each range
• Note: If a lead doesn't fit your set price ranges, it will default to the price in the "Cost per Watt DC (Solar PV Only)" field

3. Set Up Autoquote for Storage

• Ensure a battery is included in your Autoquote package
• Scroll to "Storage Quantity & Pricing (Optional)" section
• Input the default number of batteries and gross storage cost
• Important: when quoting the Tesla Powerwall 3 battery, even though the inverter is built-in, you should create an equipment package that has a backup inverter option that can be used for shoppers who don't request a battery.
• Note: Batteries are only included if the customer specifically requests a quote with storage

4. Configure Inverter Capacity (Optional)

• Scroll to "Inverter Capacity (Optional)" section
• Input "Maximum Watts Per Inverter" (in watts)
• Input "Maximum Panels Per Inverter" (in panels)
• For Microinverters: Set "Maximum Panels Per Inverter" to 1
• For String/Central Inverters: Set to the total number of panels your inverter can support

5. Add Financing Packages

• Navigate to the financing section within your quote package settings
• Add your preferred financing options to the package
• AutoQuote will use your financing package to show all shoppers your loan option with the estimated monthly payment

6. Set Up Contact & Message Packages

• Create a Contact & Message package to attach contact information and initial messages to your AutoQuotes
• Navigate to the Contact & Message package settings within your quote package configuration
• Options for setup:
  • Create one standard Contact & Message package for all quotes
  • Create a unique Contact & Message package specifically for AutoQuotes
  • Allow each sales rep to have their own Contact & Message package

Stage 2: Set Up Autoquote Settings

1. Access Autoquote Settings

• Click on "Settings" under your name (admin access required)
• Select the "Auto-Quoting" tab
• View any previously created Autoquote settings on this page

2. Create Geographic Settings

• Click "Add New Setting"
• Start by selecting your state
• Optionally narrow down to county, city, and/or zip code
• Click "Next"
• Important: Selecting state-level configuration only enables Autoquote for your existing service areas

3. Configure Utility Options (Optional)

• Choose to create settings based on specific utilities, or bypass this step
• Click "Next" to proceed

4. Set Target Offsets

• Configure minimum and maximum offset targets (e.g., 50%-100%)
• This prevents AutoQuoting properties with unreasonable energy needs
• Benefit: Ensures more realistic and achievable system recommendations

5. Define System Size Range

• Set minimum system size (e.g., 100 kW)
• Set maximum system size (e.g., 1,000,000 kW)
• Purpose: Address systems too small to invest effort in or too large that exceed utility solar kW caps
• Systems outside this range will be sent to your available quotes instead of being Autoquoted

6. Configure TSRF % Settings

• Set minimum TSRF (Total Solar Resource Fraction) percentage
• What is TSRF? TSRF helps identify how adequate different roof segments are for solar panel placement. Higher values indicate more optimal areas
• Recommended Settings: Higher thresholds (70-80%) work well for premium markets, while lower thresholds (50-60%) help capture more opportunities in challenging roof conditions

7. Select Packages and Team Members

• Configure the packages that apply to these customers
• In "Select your team," specify which reps will receive these leads
• Add as many reps as needed, each with optional contact and message packages
• Note: When leads are Autoquoted, one rep and contact package will be randomly assigned

8. Activate Your Settings

• Give your setting a unique, descriptive name
• Toggle to activate the setting immediately upon creation
• Important: Once active, the setting will instantly quote matching leads

Managing Autoquote Regularly

 Monitor and Manage Leads

• Log in to your dashboard to view active leads
• Send and read messages as you normally would
• Customize or edit quotes as you learn more about customer needs
• Tip: Use Autoquote as a starting point, then personalize based on customer interactions

Instant Quoting 

Instant Quoting is a powerful new feature that bridges the gap between automation speed and quality control, giving you the best of both worlds. This feature allows you to leverage automated system design functionality similar to Autoquote while maintaining full control over what gets published to shoppers.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps to start using Instant Quoting effectively:

1. Access Instant Quoting from Your Dashboard

• Navigate to your Today or Awaiting Quotes tabs in your lead dashboard
• Locate the lead you want to quote
• Look for three quoting options in the "Submit Quote" area:
  • Standard Quote (existing option)
  • Custom Quote (existing option)
  • Draft quote with Autoquote AI (new option)
• Select "Draft quote with Autoquote AI"

Tip: This feature is available for leads in areas where you don't have Autoquote activated but have submitted standard quotes previously.

2. Review the Pre-populated Draft Quote

• The system will open a quoting page similar to Standard Quote, but with pre-filled information
• Review the automatically populated data including:
  • Equipment specifications from your most recent packages
  • System design image showing solar panels on the customer's roof
  • Estimated production values
  • Pricing information based on your established packages

Important: The draft uses your most recent equipment, pricing, and financing packages to ensure consistency with your typical offerings.

3. Analyze and Edit the Quote (Optional)

• Carefully review the proposed system design and specifications
• Check the system design image for panel placement quality and accuracy
• Verify production estimates align with your standards
• Make any necessary adjustments to:
  • System size and panel count
  • Equipment selections
  • Pricing
  • Financing options

Warning: If you modify panel count, model, or production estimates, the system design image may be removed to maintain accuracy between the visual and technical specifications.

4. Proceed to Review & Confirmation

• Once you're satisfied with the quote quality and accuracy, click "Review & Confirm"
• This opens a final overview page showing exactly how the quote will appear to the customer
• Take a final look at all quote elements before proceeding

Tip: This is your last chance to make adjustments before the quote goes live.

5. Submit Your Quote

• Review the final quote presentation one more time
• Click "Submit Quote" to publish the quote to the customer
• The quote is now live and visible to the shopper on their EnergySage dashboard

Alternative Access Method: You can also access Instant Quoting by selecting "Standard Quote" and then clicking "Draft with Autoquote AI" on the quote creation page.

 

FAQs or Troubleshooting

Where is Autoquote available? 

As of August 2025, Autoquote is available in all 50 states.

What if I want to change my Autoquote settings? 

Autoquote is completely customizable. You can easily adjust, create, or delete Autoquote packages at any time through the Settings menu.

Who can set up Autoquote? 

Only EnergySage admin users can access and configure Autoquote settings. If you're not an admin user, contact your account administrator.

Can I submit multiple offerings within one Autoquote? 

No, the marketplace supports only one standardized quote per installer to allow customers to compare quotes side by side.

What happens if a lead doesn't fit my system size range? Systems outside your defined range will be sent to your available quotes for manual quoting rather than being Autoquoted.

How do I update my Autoquote image? You don't need to upload images. The system uses third-party design software to automatically generate system designs for your Autoquotes.

Why aren't my Autoquotes generating? Check that your settings are activated and verify your geographic and system size parameters aren't too restrictive. Ensure your TSRF percentage allows for adequate roof conditions in your market.

Which leads can I quote using Instant Quoting?

Instant Quoting is available for leads in geographic areas where you don't have Autoquote settings activated, provided you've previously submitted standard quotes in that region. This ensures we can draft quotes using equipment packages you normally use.

Can I revert to a standard quote if I don't want to use the drafted quote?

Yes! Instant Quoting gives you complete flexibility. You can edit any part of the draft quote or start fresh with a standard quote approach. It's designed to save you time, not lock you into specific choices.

Do I have to use all elements of the draft quote?

No, this isn't an "all or nothing" approach. You can use what's helpful and modify the rest. However, certain elements are coupled together for accuracy - if you change panel count, model, or production estimates, the system design image may be automatically removed since it would no longer match your specifications.

What if the system design image quality doesn't meet my standards?

You can remove or replace the system design image just like with any standard quote. The goal is to give you a head start, but you maintain full control over what gets presented to customers.

Why am I seeing a message about other installers getting quotes faster?

This message sets realistic expectations about competitive timing. While Instant Quoting is faster than manual quote creation, fully automated Autoquote is still the fastest option. The trade-off is between speed and your quality control.

How does the system choose which packages to use for my draft quote?

We select your most recently used equipment, pricing, and financing packages from quotes submitted in that state to ensure consistency with your current offerings and pricing structure.

How to Get Help 

For help configuring your Settings, or questions about Autoquote reach out to your Partner Success Manager.