Managing solar project SOW template

Most solar installers prefer to track and manage their project work in simple tools like emails, spreadsheets, shared folders etc. These simple tools are inexpensive, very flexible and easy to get started with. But on the flipside, they don't provide the connectivity and real time tracking capabilities that we find in any modern project management software.

So what is the best approach to manage your solar projects? Is there a project SOW template that provides flexibility of spreadsheets along with connectivity of a project management app?

Let's take a closer look.

Spreadsheets - advantages

Flexibility

The number one reason why most project managers in infrastructure space use spreadsheets is flexibility. Every project manager and project team has their own preferred way of tracking project activities.

The basic principles of project management and key concepts like - planned timelines, dependencies, resources, baselines etc. remain the same. But the way that these things are structured and tracked changes from project to project.

Spreadsheets provide enough flexibility for every project manager to work with their own preferred project SOW structure or template.

Inexpensive

Managing your project work in a spreadsheet is drastically less expensive compared to a project management software and even free at times.

Simple

Spreadsheets are already widely used by almost everyone. They are also used for a wide range of applications - because they are so very simple to use.

When you are working with an Excel template for a solar project SOW, you don't need to extensively train your team. It's the simplest option for them to get started with.

Spreadsheets - disadvantages

Lack of connectivity

Probably the biggest problem with using spreadsheets in solar project management is their lack of connectivity. Because spreadsheets work like silos, all the data that goes in or out has to be manually updated.

Updating daily progress reports in an Excel sheet can take up a significant time of a project manager's day.

That is time taken away from other important work - inspections, meetings, follow ups. In other words, spreadsheets will drag down your efficiency.

No role based access restrictions

Solar installation projects are collaborative work. You will need inputs from different people to update your project tracking spreadsheets - design engineers, installers, sales people, electricians etc.

If you are working with a simple spreadsheet template for your project SOW, you will need to share the complete spreadsheet with everyone to get their inputs. This goes along with the risk of someone accidentally updating or deleting parts that they are not supposed to.

Ideally you want to share only specific parts of your SOW with specific people. But spreadsheets don't allow that.

Workflows missing

Spreadsheets are basically bookkeeping tools. They're not equipped with automated workflows - to send reminders, calculate progress, update timelines, forecast important milestone dates, predict cash flows.

Smart Project Management Built Into Fuzen Solar CRM

When managing multiple solar projects, you need flexibility and control — something traditional project management tools often fail to balance. On one hand, spreadsheets offer easy customization, but they lack automation. On the other hand, most enterprise project management tools are rigid, expensive, and overly complex for smaller solar businesses.

That’s why Fuzen’s Solar CRM Template combines the simplicity of spreadsheets with the power of AI automation and connected workflows — all in one integrated platform.

Project Planning Made Simple

With Fuzen, every new project starts from a predefined project workflow template. You can customize this template to include your standard list of activities, timelines, and budgets. Need to tweak something? Just ask the AI — for example, “Add a priority field” or “Include an installation checklist” — and it’ll do it for you instantly.

This flexibility helps standardize how projects are set up while still letting you adapt to each site’s unique requirements.

Automated Progress Tracking

Once a project begins, all activities — from site survey to commissioning — are tracked automatically in Fuzen’s intuitive project dashboard. Every update made by engineers, designers, or managers is reflected in real time, allowing for complete visibility across your portfolio.

You can monitor:

• Task progress and completion rates

• Costs, materials, and labor usage

• Deadlines and dependencies

Fuzen’s built-in workflows ensure smooth data flow between your sales, project, and maintenance teams, reducing manual follow-ups and delays.

Reminders & Role-Based Access

Team members receive automated email and WhatsApp reminders to update their assigned tasks. This means no missed inputs or forgotten updates — even on busy project days.

Fuzen also offers role-based access controls, so users can only view and edit what they’re authorized to. This ensures your project data remains secure and consistent across the board.

Real-Time Reports & Insights

Forget disconnected spreadsheets and manual tracking. Fuzen provides real-time reports and dashboards for project progress, expenses, material movement, and manpower utilization. You can track your performance, identify bottlenecks, and make smarter decisions — all from one place.

With the Fuzen Solar CRM Template, you get a smart, AI-powered project management system designed specifically for solar businesses — fully customizable, easy to use, and scalable as your operations grow.