Consumption Profile Import

Consumption Profile Import is a solar design feature that allows designers to upload a customer’s electricity usage data directly into a solar modeling platform. This data—typically hourly, daily, monthly, or 15-minute interval consumption—provides an accurate baseline of how much energy a property actually uses.

By importing this consumption data, the software can calculate true offset, design the correct system size, run financial modeling with precision, and generate more reliable proposals. This step is essential for creating accurate load profiles, especially in environments using Time-of-Use (TOU) rates, EV loads, battery sizing, or complex commercial demand patterns.

In modern solar workflows, Consumption Profile Import powers downstream tools like Solar Designing, Solar Proposals, and financial analysis engines such as the Solar ROI Calculator.

Key Takeaways

Consumption Profile Import allows designers to use real electric usage data to size solar systems accurately.
Crucial for precise offset, savings projections, battery modeling, and TOU rate analysis.
Interval data significantly improves modeling accuracy, especially for commercial and storage-based projects.
Enhances proposal accuracy and customer trust.
Integrates seamlessly with SurgePV's design, proposal, and financial tools.

What Is Consumption Profile Import?

Consumption Profile Import refers to uploading historical electricity usage data—either automatically from utilities or manually from bills—into solar design software. This enables highly accurate:

Load modeling
Offset calculations
Energy savings projection
Battery sizing
System design optimization
TOU rate forecasting

Instead of estimating usage based on square footage or generic billing assumptions, solar professionals can use real data to design a system tailored to the customer’s actual needs.

Related foundational concepts include Load Analysis, Energy Production Forecasting, and Net Savings Projection.

How Consumption Profile Import Works

1. Gather Consumption Data

This may come from:

Utility bills
Smart meters
Customer portals
CSV or spreadsheet exports
API connections to utilities

2. Upload the Data

Designers import the consumption file into the solar design platform.

3. Software Interprets Usage Patterns

The system reads:

Total monthly kWh
Daily usage variations
Hourly or 15-minute interval load
Seasonal changes

4. Aligns Consumption With Solar Production

The software cross-references load with modeled PV generation to identify:

Offset percentage
Solar self-consumption
Excess production
TOU load shifting opportunities

5. Feeds Into Financial Modeling

Accurate usage → accurate savings.

6. Drives Energy Storage Sizing

Battery modeling relies on load shape, not just load total.

See Battery Size Calculator.

Types / Variants of Consumption Profiles

1. Monthly Usage Profiles

12-month energy totals.

Common for residential designs.

2. Daily or Weekly Profiles

Shows weekday vs. weekend behavior.

3. Hourly or 15-Minute Interval Profiles

Required for:

Commercial buildings
EV-intensive homes
TOU rate structures
Battery optimization
Demand charge mitigation

See Time-of-Use (TOU) Rate Modeling.

4. Seasonal Profiles

Useful in areas with heating/cooling spikes.

5. Real-Time Smart Meter Data

Auto-synced via API where utilities support it.

How It’s Measured

Consumption data is measured in:

Kilowatt-hours (kWh)

Total energy used over time.

kW Peak Load

Maximum demand spikes (important for commercial systems).

Load Shape (Profile Curve)

Graph showing how energy usage varies across hours/days.

Seasonal Variation (%)

Identifies winter vs. summer load shifts.

TOU Consumption Segments

Breaks down energy usage by rate period.

Typical Values / Ranges

Practical Guidance for Solar Designers & Installers

1. Always request at least 12 months of consumption data

Improves offset accuracy and financial modeling.

2. Use interval data for TOU or battery projects

Helps identify ideal storage capacity and discharge timing.

3. Validate unusual spikes

Cross-check against equipment loads or seasonal HVAC usage.

4. Use real consumption data to size systems accurately

Avoids over-sizing or under-sizing and improves proposal win rates.

5. Match consumption with modeled solar generation

Tools like Solar Designing align load and production automatically.

6. Use SurgePV’s integrated proposal tools

Designs feed directly into Solar Proposals for automated, customer-ready savings summaries.

7. Use consumption data for ROI & payback calculations

The Solar ROI Calculator uses imported load to improve accuracy.

Real-World Examples

1. Residential Home With Seasonal HVAC Load

A homeowner uploads 12 months of bills.

Software identifies summer peaks and recommends a 7.2 kW system with a small battery to maximize TOU benefits.

2. Commercial Building With Demand Charges

A 100,000 sq ft facility provides 15-minute interval data.

Consumption Profile Import reveals high afternoon demand spikes, so the designer sizes a 350 kW PV system with a demand-shaving battery.

3. EV-Heavy Household

Interval data shows nightly spikes due to EV charging.

Consumption Profile Import helps optimize storage and encourages off-peak charging strategies.