Systems
In this section we will find how to design the installation, that is, the placement of the modules when we already have the buildings created.
Where can I find this option ? → Quoting Tool → Layout → Systems
Remember that this tab will only be visible if you have it pre-configured in the sub-status in which the opportunity is located and the Quoting Tool group permissions activated.In this section we can design the installation for each available roof (as long as the placement of modules is available in the buildings tab). We can access these manually in the drop-down menu on the right by clicking on the building and then on the roof or area we want to use or directly by double-clicking on the area we want to use.
In the Systems tab, all the project systems are displayed (active and non-active buildings), with a hierarchy of Building – Roof – Area – Subarea.
Editing systems (areas)
Within systems we will find the following options:
1) Areas: the areas of the roof where you want to have the modules are enabled. Within the area, there is a sub-area by default, which is where the modules are placed. Additionally, within the areas, sub-areas can be created to be able to place the modules in different positions within the area.
2) Area margins: A margin is left between the modules and the area. This margin can be increased or decreased as needed, but is defined by default.
3) Edit system: Here we modify the panels we have on the roof.
- Modules:
- Module orientation: Horizontal or vertical.
- Module structure: Standard or East/West.
- Module inclination: The necessary inclination is set for greater production and is used on flat roofs.
- Use calculation by maximum shadow: This is used on flat roofs. The modules need a distance between them to avoid shadowing from one row to another. The program takes into account the latitude and longitude of the house to set the appropriate distance. This distance can be modified if necessary with:
- Distance between modules
- Distance between rows
- Distance between centers
4) Create a new subarea. We can create as many as we want and they will be independent. We can also define their own margin manually.
Subareas
The subareas are independent of each other. As they are independent, modules can be placed in different orientations. By default, one is defined for each roof area within each building, but we can also generate new ones from "generate new subarea".
To do this we will have to draw the sub-area we want by marking points, just like when drawing a new building. Marking points:
- The subarea to be generated is marked with dots.
- Click the "Finish" button.
- The modules that contain the entire subarea appear.
Symbols
When accessing the subareas we can find different symbols.
We will now see them in order:
1) Restart placement of modules within the subarea.
2) Add/Remove all modules within the subarea.
3) Self-populated within the subarea.
4) It allows us to move all the modules that belong to the subarea within it. When we click on this, a drop-down menu will open at the bottom of the screen, although we can also access it by clicking on "access subarea view". From this view we can move all the modules using the arrow keys on the keyboard. This allows us to be much more precise with the placement.
5) A zimuth. It allows us to modify the orientation of the modules on a compass. In this way we can know exactly the orientation of our installation.
Edit systems (subarea)
We can find several tabs within this section:
1) Modules. This is the first tab and is selected and displayed by default. This will allow you to achieve a more precise layout of the modules (orientation, inclination, structure, etc.).
2) Staggered. A different distribution of the panels is achieved. It is used above all in small spaces for a greater optimization of space. A staggered distance can be given.
3) Expansion lines. The modules are separated either between rows or between columns of modules.
Remember: The offset and the expansion lines are not compatible. We must choose which of the two we want to use in each case.
Self-population and shadow analysis
Self-populated
This is the placement of the optimal modules indicated by the program when the Quoting Tool has been performed. This option also places the modules in the best area of the roof. When you click on the autopopulation and shadow analysis button, its menu will open on the right side of the screen.
The inputs are as follows :
- Optimal number of modules: If a bid is created, the optimal number would be defined by default in the bid. If the project is created, the user must enter it manually.
- Minimum irradiance: Here the user can define the minimum value of the 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 the appropriate irradiance will be displayed. For example, if there are 10 optimal modules and the minimum irradiance value is 75%, and only 3 exceed this number, the autopopulation will only place 3 panels on the roof, even if the optimal number is 10.
- Enable obstacle clearance editing: If this button is enabled, the user can define a clearance for all obstacles in the project. It is important to note that even if obstacles have a clearance, this input will overwrite the values per obstacle, as this clearance is applied 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.
There is the possibility of auto-population by building as well, in the systems section, by clicking on the auto-populate button. This action only takes into account the building of the system being configured.
Shadow Analysis
An analysis will be obtained of the possible shadows that can be given by possible objects that can affect the modules, as well as their performance and radiation that they can have.
We have several options
- Sun simulator. It facilitates the simulation of the sun during the day, as well as during the different months of the year. It will provide us with the shortest or longest shadow depending on the date and time we select. It is always recommended to use the shortest day of the year since it has the longest shadow and it helps us to know which modules provide the shadow.
- Analysis of shadows on roofs. Different shadows from obstacles can be obtained. There are different scenarios and simulation calculations. The larger the scenario and the slower the calculation, the more accurate it is, but it is slower because more data has to be obtained. Likewise, the shadow layer can be shown on the map or in 3D mode. We have an irradiation bar that shows us the best areas to install panels. The more yellow the color, the more irradiation it gives to our installation, thus indicating the best area to carry out the installation.
- Analysis of irradiation in the modules. The irradiation received by the modules is analyzed. The larger the scenario and the slower the calculation, the more accurate it is, but it is slower because more data has to be obtained.
We can find:
- Correction factor: The gain (Greater than 100%) or loss (Less than 100%) and orientation with respect to the horizontal are shown.
- Shadow losses: Value in % where it shows the irradiation losses on the module, where 0% is the ideal case and 100% the worst case.
- Optimal overall performance: Combination of the % between the correction factor and shadow losses with respect to the optimum, represented by 100%.
- Real overall performance: Combination in % between the correction factor and shadow losses with respect to the horizontal represented by 100%, this value can take values greater than 100% and less than 100%.
Related Articles
Related Articles
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 ...Work area
On this screen we will choose the basic information to start the project. We will be able to define things like the modules we will use, the exact roof we are going to work on in the map or generate a map if we consider it necessary. Where can I find ...Profitability
In this article we will explain the profitability tab within the Quoting Tool. We are going to see the data related to the profitability of our photovoltaic installation (ROI, IRR, Electricity Savings, etc.), as well as the economic data such as the ...BOM (Bill of materials)
In this tab of the Quoting Tool we will see the products that are included in the offer corresponding to the previous design made in the layout: Where can I find this option? → Quoting tool → BOM Module Overview In the following screenshot we can see ...