Defining the layout of PV modules

Requirements:

  • You must have opened a project and planned it up to the page Configure system (quick planning) or Configure PV system (detailed planning).

  • You must have opened the visual roof planning tool on the page Layout of PV modules.

Procedure:

  1. If necessary, add additional areas. This is possible as long as a maximum of 2 areas are defined.
  2. Resize the already defined module area so that the additional area can be added. For this purpose, click on the corresponding module area with the mouse. Marker points appear at the corners of the area, which you can use to adjust the size.
  3. In the right-hand side of the window, under Select or add surface, click on the button [+] and click on a free area on the roof. This will add another roof area.
  4. If necessary, adjust the names of each individual area.
  5. To calculate the maximum number of PV modules according to the selected module type, orientation and available area, click on the option Maximum peak power. This means that the number of PV modules can no longer be changed manually.
  6. To define the PV modules, select the PV modules tab.
  7. If the number of PV modules for the activated area should be defined manually, enter the number of modules.
  8. If required, adjust the PV modules used via the buttons under PV module in the window Change the manufacturer and type of PV module.
  9. Adjust the orientation of the PV modules via the buttons in the area Orientation at the lower right-hand edge.
  10. In case of a flat roof: Under Mounting type, select whether the modules should be mounted horizontally or with substructure.
  11. Enter data for row spacing, gaps and distance between modules and obstacles.
    When planning a flat roof: Additionally enter the inclination of the modules and the azimuth of the module field.
  12. Click on [Align PV modules] wählen. This automatically arranges the PV modules according to roof surface specifications.
  13. To add corridors for maintenance or thermal separation, click on Additional separations.
  14. To define the width and arrangement of the corridors, enter the desired values in the fields Row separation, Gap separation and Frequency. Frequency refers to how many modules per row or column a corridor should be arranged after.
  15. If the arrangement or selection of PV modules has been changed, click on [Accept change].
  16. To view the shading of the PV modules, select the Shading tab.
  17. To have the shading calculated throughout the year, enable the Annual shading option.
  18. Select [Calculate shading].
  19. The calculated shading of the selected area can be displayed in false colors with the Shading of the roof area option or as a percentage of shading.
  20. To visualize the path of the shading, open the button with the sun symbol on the left-hand lower edge and enable the option Sun position indicator.
  21. Select the date and time of the required shading display. Here, the time does not take daylight savings time into account.
  22. To move individual PV modules, select the desired PV module with the mouse and move it.
    Tip: Activate the Deactivate collision detection option to ignore collisions in imported 3D models and to be able to move PV modules into protruding objects. This can be helpful, for example, if the imported 3D model contains objects, such as ventilation pipes, that are to be removed from the system.
  23. To complete the visual roof planing, click on [Save].
  24. You can return to the page Configure PV system (with detailed planning) or the page Configure system (with quick planning).
  25. Click on [Next] to define the electrical design.
    Positioning PV modules
    Creating a new electrical design