Cloud Solar PAYG

Introduction

Cloud Solar Pay-as-you-go products operate using the OpenPAYGO Token, a standard developed by Solaris Offgrid and the EnAccess Foundation. This means that it is possible to integrate the Cloud Solar PAYG units with any software that is compatible with the OpenPAYGO standard.

The token system works as follows:

• A server generates tokens that allow a certain number of days to be activated on a device.
• Tokens are verified as valid.
• Devices read the token and activate for the number of days requested.

The token generation part of the system can be performed by a software platform such as PaygOps, Angaza, or any other software platform that supports the standard.

Please note that the Cloud Solar software platform is a data platform and does not provide token generation, mobile money integrations or loan tracking capabilities. For operating the token system, you must use an additional platform. PaygOps and Angaza integrations have been verified by Inclusive Energy, but any software that supports the standard is available to use.

In Cloud Solar charge controllers, the tokening system controls the availability of power via the load port. When there is an active, valid token, the load port will be enabled and when the token runs out the load port will be disabled.

The token system works offline and doesn’t not require an internet connection. However, the internet connection is still required to send data to or from the Cloud Solar software platform.

Getting Started

When the Cloud Solar units are dispatched to you, you will receive via email a list containing the details of each device and their PAYG credentials. This includes the PAYG ID, secret key, starting code and count. You will need to pass this information to your tokening provider to make the units available on your software platform. If this is your first time, It may be the case that they need to activate Cloud Solar as a product option for you.

For use with Angaza, there are 2 possible products that need to be activated:

• Cloud Solar PWM 40A - qid: "PT004661"
• Cloud Solar PWM 20A - qid: "PT004576"

Once the units are set up, you will be free to assign them to your customers. Please refer to the software provider’s user guides.

If your Cloud Solar unit has an internet connection, it will send the credentials of each unit to the Cloud Solar software and you can view them in your Cloud Solar account.

Generating Tokens

The method of generating tokens varies depending on the software you are using. Please refer to the user guides of your software platform. As the methodology is dependent on the software you are using and the arrangement you have for generating tokens, it is your responsibility as an energy service provider to communicate clearly to your customers how to make payments, receive and enter tokens. It is common that your tokening provider will be able to help you with documentation.

Inputting Tokens

When a token has been generated, the customer can enter the 9-digit token into the keypad on the unit and press # to enter. If the token is valid, the display will show ‘Valid’ and it will add the appropriate amount of time to the activation.

If a token is invalid or there is another error, the display will show the error after the token code is entered. 

      

      

 

As per the OpenPAYGO standard, if an invalid token is entered twice in a row, it will not allow you to enter another token for 3 minutes to avoid people guessing tokens.

Alternatively, it is possible to enter tokens remotely via the Cloud Solar software by navigating to the correct unit, selecting the PAYG tab and entering the token in the space provided. Note that the token will be received by the unit the next time it successfully connects to the server to receive the message. This is usually once per hour.

Display

The display on the Cloud Solar PAYG units have 2 additional screens relating to PAYG. Access these screens by pressing the user button on the side of the device. When entering a token, it will automatically switch to the appropriate screen.

The token input screen shows the token as it is being typed in as well as any feedback about the token once it has been entered, and the time remaining for the load to be activated. The next screen shows the PAYG ID.

Troubleshooting

Each token used for a particular device must be newer than the last token used. 

For example, if a user buys two tokens, they must use the older one first. The token generation software and the device itself keep track when the last token used was created, this is called the  ‘count’. It can be the case that these ‘counts’ become out of sync. If this is the case, ask your token provider to generate a ‘counter sync’ token.

If any issues are not able to be resolved via your tokening partner, please get in touch with a member of the Inclusive Energy team who would be happy to help you.

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