Why This Matters
Every solar system loses a small percentage of energy due to real-world factors like shading, dirty panels, wiring resistance, and equipment aging. If your proposals don't account for these losses, customers might expect more energy production than the system actually delivers — and that leads to unhappy calls down the road.
SubcontractorHub's System Loss Dynamic Pricing feature lets you factor in these common losses automatically. The system calculates the total loss percentage for you and adjusts the production numbers on your proposals — so what the customer sees is realistic and trustworthy.
What You'll Need
Admin access to SubcontractorHub
Access to the Manage Database section
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Open the Solar Systems Database
From the main menu, go to Manage Database → click Database.
Step 2: Navigate to System Loss Settings
Click on Solar Systems, then select System Loss from the options.
Step 3: Enable System Losses
Click the toggle in the top-right corner to enable System Losses.
Step 4: Confirm Your Choice
A confirmation popup will appear — click Yes to proceed.
Step 5: Customize Your Loss Percentages
You'll now see a list of common system loss categories. Adjust the percentages to match your real-world conditions:
Loss Category | What It Covers |
Module Nameplate Rating | Manufacturing tolerance variations |
Mismatch | Differences between panels in the same string |
Connections | Energy lost at electrical connection points |
Age | Gradual performance decline over time |
Light Induced Degradation | Initial performance drop in new panels |
Soiling | Dust, pollen, bird droppings on panels |
Annual / Monthly | Seasonal production variations |
Wiring | Resistance losses in electrical wiring |
System Availability | Downtime for maintenance or grid outages |
Shading | Trees, buildings, or obstructions blocking sunlight |
Other | Any additional loss factors specific to your area |
The total system loss percentage is calculated automatically based on your entries. Your proposals will display the adjusted production value, giving customers realistic expectations.
Real-World Example
Jake runs a solar company in Arizona. Even though Arizona gets tons of sun, soiling from desert dust and high temperatures cause real production losses. Jake sets his soiling loss to 3% and his temperature-related losses accordingly. Now his proposals show realistic production numbers, and customers trust his estimates — leading to fewer complaints after installation.
Pro Tips
💡 Start conservative — it's better to under-promise and over-deliver on production numbers
💡 Review seasonally — soiling and shading percentages may change with seasons
💡 Check with your equipment manufacturer for recommended degradation and nameplate rating values
💡 Related: See How to Hide System Losses From Proposals if you want to keep these numbers internal only
Troubleshooting
Issue | Solution |
Toggle won't enable | Make sure you have admin-level permissions |
Loss categories not showing | Refresh the page after enabling the toggle |
Proposal still shows old numbers | Check that you saved your changes and regenerate the proposal |
Key Terms
System Loss — The percentage of solar energy lost between the panels and the final output, caused by real-world factors
Dynamic Pricing — Automatic adjustments to proposal values based on your configured loss settings
Soiling — Buildup of dirt, dust, or debris on solar panels that reduces energy production
Last updated: May 8, 2026 | Batch 08 rewrite from original "System Loss Dynamic Pricing"