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Grid-connected system preliminary design

After defining the Location, the System button displays a first screen where you should first define the plane orientation (try dragging the little red dots!).

NB: a little tool helps choosing the optimal orientation, or the amount of losses resulting from your choice when not optimal.

Then you must choose the basis for sizing your system:

  • active area of the collector field,
  • nominal power of the system,
  • annual energy yield.

Pressing "Next" opens a second screen to define system properties, especially from the architect's point of view:

  • Module type: "standard" (enter the module power), "translucent custom" (with spaced cells, define the filling ratio), or "not yet defined".
  • Technology: determines the default efficiency, which affects the area needed for a given power.
  • Mounting disposition: indicative, not used in calculations,
  • Ventilation property: slightly influences the efficiency due to module operating temperature.

Now you can open the "Results" to view the Nominal Power, Area, Annual energy yields, and result graphs, tables, and economic evaluation (use the speed buttons on the left to switch between them).

You can now play with the parameters and immediately see the results.

You can print a report, or store graphs and tables on the clipboard to export to another software.

You can also save your project and load another one for immediate comparisons.

Computation

The evaluation of the available irradiance on the collector plane uses the Monthly Meteo tool algorithms. System energy output computations are performed using constant efficiency and correction coefficients according to the chosen system parameters.

The accuracy is of the order of 10 - 20% (worst case for façade installations).

If necessary the coefficients used for this tool may be modified in the Hidden parameters.