Obstacles
In this article we are going to learn how to create and modify obstacles. These are fundamental in the design of the facilities since, normally, when we simulate an obstacle it is because it produces a shadow on the facility. We must try to be as precise as possible with their dimensions since this will affect the shadow it produces and therefore the final production of the installation. Too large a shade can make an installation unprofitable.
Where can I find this option ? → Quoting Tool → Layout → Obstacles
Remember that this tab will only be visible if you have it pre-configured in the substate in which the opportunity is located and the permissions of the Quoting Tool group are activated. Within this section we will also find the following tabs: obstacles and trees.
1) Obstacles. This category corresponds to all obstacles that are not tree type, for example chimney, velux type windows or perimeter parapet. When clicking on add obstacles, a drop-down menu is shown requesting the data necessary to define an obstacle.
- Height: The height of the obstacle is indicated
- Margins: Indicates the margin that you want to leave between the obstacle and the modules
- Invisible obstacle: Allows you to create an obstacle that cannot be seen but prevents modules from being placed
- Allow irregular angles: Allows you to make obstacles without their angles being right.
Obstacle type:
- Vertical: Puts the obstacle in vertical mode. They are used, for example, to place chimneys on all types of roofs.
- Coplanar: Puts the obstacle in coplanar mode. It is placed on coplanar roofs since we will place the obstacle parallel to our roof. The most common case is the placement of velux type windows on coplanar roofs.
Below we will see two examples:
Once the obstacles are finished we can see them in the form of a list with a series of options under the name.
- The pencil allows us to edit the previously defined information (height, shape, if it is coplanar...).
- The arrows allow us to move the entire obstacle.
- With the trash can we eliminate the obstacle.
- The box allows us to clone an obstacle as many times as we want. For example, in a series of identical chimneys, it allows us to draw one and clone it as many times as we deem necessary.
- The paint palette allows us to change the color of objects
Warning. It is possible that we try to add an object and the button is disabled and we cannot. This happens when we have 3D vision active and we are only allowed to add obstacles with 2D mode.
2) Trees. This category corresponds to tree-type obstacles. When we click on add tree, a drop-down menu is shown requesting the data necessary to define it. Among them we have height, width and type of tree, where we will be shown different models to select which of them is the most similar to the one we want to represent.
Below we will see an example:
As with the other types of obstacles, once finished we can see them in list form and we will have the options to edit, delete and clone at our disposal.
Warning: It is possible that sometimes we create an obstacle, but when we put the 3D we do not see it. This happens when we draw an obstacle outside the selected building. When we have the 2D view, it will be shown in light red, as will the invisible obstacles, thus implying that it will not be shown in 3D.
Self-populated
This button allows us to place the optimal number of modules in the most appropriate distribution to have the highest possible profitability. The placement of the optimal modules indicated by the program when the Quoting Tool has been carried out. This option also places the modules in the best area of the roof. Clicking on the autopopulate and shadow analysis button will open its menu on the right side of the screen.
The options are the following:
- Optimum number of modules: If an offer is created, the optimal number would be defined by default in the offer. In the case of creating the project, the user must enter it manually.
- Minimum irradiation: Here the user can define the minimum value of optimal overall performance of the modules, which will be taken into account for the autopopulation calculation. If there are fewer modules exceeding this value than optimal modules, only those with adequate irradiance will be displayed. For example, if there are 10 optimal modules and the minimum irradiation value is 75%, and only 3 exceed this number, autopopulation will only place 3 panels on the roof, even if the optimal number is 10.
- Activate editing of obstacle margins: If this button is activated, the user can define a margin for all the obstacles in the project. It is important to note that, even if the obstacles have margin, this input will overwrite the values per obstacle, since this margin applies to all obstacles in the project.
After making all the settings, clicking the autopopulate button will place the optimal panels on the roof. The autopopulate button explained above takes into account all the buildings in the project when placing the optimal panels.
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