Can I create a BOQ without a deal in OneSolar CRM?

Yes. You can generate a BOQ as a standalone document from the BOQ module without linking it to a deal. This is useful for pre-sales estimates or when responding to a tender. The BOQ can be linked to a deal later.

What if I have non-standard products not in my catalogue?

You can add custom line items directly to any BOQ. Custom items include a description, quantity, unit price and markup. They appear in the proposal like any other BOQ line and are included in the total value.

Can the client negotiate the proposal and can I revise it?

Yes. If a client requests changes, you can revise the BOQ line items, resubmit for internal approval and regenerate the proposal. All versions are tracked - you can see what changed between each revision and which version the client ultimately signed.

Solar BOQ & Proposal Guide in 30 Minutes

Set up your product catalogue

Before you can auto-generate a BOQ, you need a product catalogue with your standard solar components - panels, inverters, cables, mounting and BOS. This is a one-time setup that unlocks instant BOQ generation for every future project.

Go to Settings → Products → Add Product
Enter product name, SKU, specifications and unit
Set cost price and selling price per unit
Assign product type (Panel / Inverter / Cable / Mounting / BOS / Labour)
Create standard system configurations if you want one-click BOQ presets

Group products by type and create "system presets" for your most common install sizes (e.g. 5kW residential, 50kW C&I). These turn BOQ generation into a single dropdown selection.

Result: Product catalogue configured. Every future BOQ pulls from this catalogue - accurate pricing, consistent specs.

Generate the BOQ from system size

From a qualified deal or a site survey, open the BOQ module and enter the system capacity. OneSolar CRM calculates panel count, inverter size, cable quantities, mounting and labour - all from your catalogue.

Open the deal record → click "Generate BOQ"
Select system size (kWp) or choose a system preset
Review auto-calculated quantities: panels, inverters, cables, BOS
Adjust individual line items if the site has specific requirements
Add any non-standard items manually as custom line items

The BOQ calculates standard cable lengths based on system size. For complex roof layouts, adjust cable quantities manually after auto-generation.

Result: Complete BOQ generated in under 2 minutes. All components, quantities and prices populated from your catalogue.

Submit for internal approval

Before any proposal goes to a client, route the BOQ through your internal approval workflow. This ensures pricing, margin and scope are reviewed before client exposure.

On the BOQ screen → click "Submit for Approval"
Select the approver (e.g. Sales Manager, Technical Lead)
Add any notes for the approver (e.g. custom pricing applied)
Approver receives notification - reviews BOQ, adds comments or approves
If changes are requested, revise and resubmit - version history maintained

Result: BOQ approved internally. No proposal leaves without sign-off. Pricing and margin confirmed before client sees it.

Generate the client proposal

With the BOQ approved, convert it into a branded client proposal in one click. The proposal includes system specs, estimated savings, payback period and payment terms - formatted with your company branding.

From approved BOQ → click "Generate Proposal"
Review the proposal preview - system details, savings estimate, pricing breakdown
Add client-specific notes, warranty details or custom terms
Select payment schedule template (e.g. 30% deposit, 40% on installation, 30% on commissioning)
Click "Send to Client" - client receives email with proposal PDF and e-sign link

Include the estimated annual savings and payback period prominently in the proposal - clients respond to financial outcomes, not technical specs.

Result: Branded proposal sent to client with e-signature link. Professional, accurate and delivered in hours not days.

Track the proposal and close the deal

Once sent, OneSolar CRM tracks proposal status - sent, viewed, signed. When the client signs, the deal is automatically marked Won and a project is created from the approved BOQ.

Monitor proposal status: Sent → Viewed → Signed
Send a follow-up reminder if not viewed after 48 hours
If the client requests changes - revise the BOQ, re-approve and regenerate the proposal
Client signs digitally → deal auto-marked Won
Project auto-created from the signed BOQ - no data re-entry

Proposals that are viewed but not signed within 5 days benefit from a personal follow-up call. OneSolar CRM can trigger an automatic task reminder to the agent.

Result: Deal Won. Project created. BOQ becomes the project material plan automatically. Sales to operations handoff is instant.

You’ve completed this tutorial

Follow these steps in order - from site data to client signature.

Continue learning

Keep going with the next tutorials in the Solar CRM series.

How to create a solar BOQ and proposal in under 30 minutes