Powering Growth: How Our World Energy Streamlined TPO Operations and Saved 48+ Hours Per Project
Results at a Glance
85% of projects now leverage TPO solutions.
Change orders reduced by over 75%. The change order rate improved from 40% to less than 10% on TPO jobs.
Reduced site survey times by over 50%, reducing surveys from 90 minutes to 30-45 minutes.
OWE saves over 48-72 hours per project by eliminating redundant audits and manual design recreations
Aurora’s accurate production modeling bypasses design verification stipulations, cutting 24 hours from the NTP timeline.

Background
Our World Energy (OWE) is a leading solar provider serving homeowners across Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Texas. Like many solar companies, as interest rates climbed, OWE sought to provide more financing options for customers interested in going solar.
Enter third-party ownership (TPO) financing. TPO has grown to represent 85% of OWE’s projects, which has been great for business, but has added complexity. To reach its full potential, the company realized they needed a comprehensive solution to navigate the complexities of solar design, proposals, and funding.
Mark Ramirez leads Sales Operations and CAD, and plays a pivotal role in equipping OWE’s sales dealers with the tools, training, and resources needed to deliver exceptional customer experiences. Mark’s focus is on enabling streamlined business operations, building trust through accuracy, and fostering growth in an ever-changing solar landscape.
He walked us through some of OWE’s challenges, how the company acted to solve them, and the impacts of the solution.
"Our goal is to empower our sales dealers with the tools and training they need to deliver exceptional experiences, enabling them to grow while serving homeowners with accuracy and efficiency." – Mark Ramirez, Sales Operations & CAD, Our World Energy
Challenges: navigating complexity
Operational inefficiencies
Speed and accuracy are the foundation of OWE’s operations. However, frequent change orders — impacting nearly 40% of projects — disrupted workflows, delayed installations, and strained resources. Each change introduced uncertainty for homeowners, friction between sales and design teams, and increased operational costs.
TPO-specific hurdles
The rise of TPO products brought strict production requirements. Providers like LightReach required precise models to secure funding, but deviations often:
- Triggered redesigns and re-signs, delaying Notice to Proceed (NTP).
- Increased operational costs with time-consuming rework.
- Eroded trust, if the promised designs don’t align with final installations.
Technology gaps
OWE previously used a different solar design tool, which struggled to deliver the accuracy the company needed to prevent downstream issues, including:
- Frequent change orders: Initial designs often failed to meet production requirements, leading to redesigns and re-signs that delayed project approvals.
- Operational inefficiencies: Inaccurate proposals required additional manual adjustments, creating bottlenecks and extending timelines.
- Battery modeling limitations: The tool couldn’t provide reliable post-solar bill analyses, making it difficult to support battery adoption in key markets like Arizona.
- Fragmented software stack: The solar design software that OWE previously used required them to rely on multiple tools to manage their workflows, increasing costs and reducing efficiency. In addition, designs created in the old software weren’t immediately usable by site surveyors, leading to extended surveys (90 minutes on average) and, in some cases, repeat visits.
Aurora addressed these gaps by enabling accurate designs earlier in the project lifecycle. Designs created in Aurora’s Sales Mode were immediately ready for site surveyors, reducing survey times by 50% (to 30-45 minutes). And by consolidating their software stack with Aurora, OWE also saved money while improving operational efficiency.
Resource bottlenecks
Manual processes slowed site surveys, extended project timelines, and created friction in design handoffs. Without streamlined workflows, OWE couldn’t scale operations effectively.
"Frequent change orders, delays in approvals, and inefficiencies in our processes were holding us back. We needed a solution that could streamline everything from design to installation while meeting the strict requirements of TPO financing." – Mark Ramirez

"Aurora provided a unified platform that ensures accuracy, reduces rework, and allows us to handle TPO projects seamlessly. From AI-powered designs to integrated workflows, it has streamlined every aspect of our operations."
Solution: streamlining operations with a unified platform
Aurora Solar provided a transformative, all-in-one solution, aligning with OWE’s commitment to streamlined operations, trust-building interactions, and sustainable growth.
Design and proposal precision
With Aurora, OWE can operate more efficiently and focus on growth:
- AI-Powered design automation: Aurora’s AI automated fire pathway placement and roof layouts, delivering accurate designs within two minutes. This eliminates design errors and reduces reliance on manual reviews.
- End-to-end integration: Aurora integrates seamlessly with TPO providers like LightReach and EnFin, ensuring production models meet requirements from the start.
- Eliminated redundancies: By carrying designs through from proposal to installation, Aurora cuts out duplicate work, saving 48-72 hours per project.
Seamless operational workflows
Aurora’s tools improve workflows and build trust at every stage of the project lifecycle:
- Accurate proposals: Homeowners receive designs at the time of sale that more closely match final installations, minimizing surprises and fostering confidence.
- Reduced change orders: By meeting TPO requirements upfront, OWE has reduced change orders from 40% to less than 10%, ensuring smoother project handoffs and installations.
- Battery modeling excellence: Aurora’s tools provide detailed post-solar bill insights so homeowners can make informed decisions about battery adoption.
Empowering growth
Aurora’s cutting-edge platform sets OWE up for sustained success:
- TPO market leadership: With 85% of jobs now TPO-based, Aurora’s integrations have empowered OWE to scale while maintaining efficiency.
- Market expansion: Accurate battery modeling and shading analysis have helped OWE expand into high-demand regions like Arizona, meeting evolving market needs.
- Enhanced dealer experience: Aurora’s functionality attracts and helps retain top sales dealers, bolstering OWE’s reputation as an industry leader.
"Aurora provided a unified platform that ensures accuracy, reduces rework, and allows us to handle TPO projects seamlessly. From AI-powered designs to integrated workflows, it has streamlined every aspect of our operations." – Mark Ramirez

"Aurora has reduced change orders from 40% to less than 10%, saved us up to 72 hours per job, and enabled us to scale TPO volumes without increasing operational strain. It’s a game-changer for our growth"
Impact: transformational results
Aurora has delivered measurable and meaningful results for OWE, revolutionizing operations, building trust, and driving growth.
⏩ Streamlined operations
Eliminated redundant audits
- Previously, OWE conducted three design audits at different project stages (pre-CAD, post-CAD, and pre-install). Each audit required recreating designs, manual reviews, and verifying production numbers — adding 48-72 hours per project.
- With Aurora, OWE eliminated these steps thanks to seamless data continuity from design to submission. Aurora’s production model matches financier requirements, enabling instant exports and approvals.
Reduced site survey times by 50%
- Designs created in Aurora’s Sales Mode are immediately ready for site surveyors, reducing surveys from 90 minutes to 30-45 minutes.
- Clear design visibility prevents unnecessary roof measurements and eliminates the need for repeat site surveys.
Faster design turnarounds
- Sales reps no longer wait 15-20 minutes for design requests to process — Aurora AI generates them in 1-2 minutes.
- Co-creating designs with homeowners improves the experience and reduces time spent reworking layouts.
- Cut NTP delays
- Aurora’s accurate production modeling bypasses LightReach’s design verification stipulations, cutting 24 hours from the NTP timeline.
🤝 Trust and confidence
Change orders reduced from 40% to less than 10%
- Accurate designs at the point of sale ensure that homeowners receive what they were promised, minimizing mid-project revisions.
- Aurora’s AI-powered fire pathway placement and better shading tools (e.g., LIDAR data) improve design precision and help avoid those last-minute adjustments.
Improved homeowner experience
- Homeowners no longer face surprises during installation or layout deviations requiring additional approvals.
- Consistent designs from sales through installation reinforce trust, reduce questions, and create smoother project experiences.
Empowering sales reps
- Aurora’s tools enable sales reps to present precise, buildable designs upfront, eliminating uncertainty and boosting confidence in their pitches.
🚀 Scalable growth
Enabling high TPO volumes
- With 85% of OWE’s jobs being TPO-based, Aurora’s integration with TPO financiers (like EnFin and LightReach) is critical for growth.
- OWE can handle more projects without increasing operational burdens with Aurora’s accurate production models and faster submissions.
Battery modeling for market expansion:
- Advanced battery modeling, especially vital in Arizona’s high-rate markets, provides insights into post-solar utility bills and energy arbitrage. This functionality has been critical as batteries have become a must-have for customers.
Dealer recruitment and retention:
- Aurora’s TPO integrations give OWE a competitive edge in recruiting and retaining sales partners — who value having robust tools that streamline operations and support customer needs effectively.
The homeowner experience
Aurora Solar has enhanced the homeowner journey by prioritizing speed, accuracy, and trust:
- Consistency: Homeowners get accurate designs at the time of sale, which carry through to installation without deviations.
- Confidence: Aurora’s precision eliminates layout changes, reducing homeowner doubts and ensuring a smooth process.
- Efficiency: Faster approvals and installations minimize delays, enhancing the overall experience.
Mark summarized this transformation perfectly:
"With Aurora, we can confidently show homeowners exactly what they’ll get at the time of sale, and deliver on that promise. This trust and consistency have completely elevated the customer experience." – Mark Ramirez

Conclusion
Our World Energy has demonstrated remarkable leadership in scaling TPO success and delivering exceptional experiences to homeowners. By prioritizing precision, efficiency, and trust, OWE continues to set the standard for solar providers navigating a complex and evolving market.
With Aurora Solar as a key partner, OWE has streamlined operations, reduced change orders, and empowered their sales teams to focus on helping homeowners transition to clean, reliable energy solutions. This partnership highlights how the right tools and expertise can unlock new levels of success for solar professionals.