Photovoltaic (PV) Systems

How to Model a Standalone PV Solar System - Summary

 

You can include PV panels in your model by following the instructions below.

 

  1. Position and size PV panels by following instructions in the Adding Solar Collectors topic.
  2. To access the properties of the PV panel first navigate to the solar collector object by double-clicking on the graphical object from building level or single-click on the solar collector item in the Navigator.
  3. Once at the Solar collector object, define the performance and other panel properties on the Constructions tab under the Solar Collector header.
  4. Define the electric side of the PV system at building level on the Generation tab under the On Site Electricity Generation header:
    1. Check the Include electric load centres check box.
    2. Add an Electric load centre and edit the details of the system.
    3. Select one of the DC buss types.
    4. Select the Inverter type.
    5. If using electrical storage define the Storage type.
    6. Select the building solar collector on the Generator list tab.
    7. Make sure that, having defined a new Electric load centre, the correct one is selected on the Generation tab.
  5. When the simulation is finished you can view solar PV contributions on the Analysis and Summary tabs:

How to Model a Building Integrated PV (BIPV) Solar System - Summary

 

You can include BIPV systems in your model by following the instructions below.

 

  1. Define one or more constructions and/or glazing systems using the Building Integrated Photovoltaics category (for constructions) or the Glazing Integrated Photovoltaics category for glazing.
  2. Define the properties of the PV system on the Construction/glazing dialog under the definition of the outermost layer.
  3. Apply the BIPV systems by select the corresponding BIPV construction and/or glazing components on the relevant surfaces. Note that in larger models, the Model Data Grid View (MDGV) is an efficient way to apply BIPV constructions to particular façades based on surface slope, orientation, tag etc.
  4. Define the electric side of the PV system at building level on the Generation tab under the On Site Electricity Generation header:
    1. Check the Include electric load centres check box.
    2. Add an Electric load centre and edit the details of the system.
    3. Select one of the DC buss types.
    4. Select the Inverter type.
    5. If using electrical storage define the Storage type.
    6. On the Generator list tab, select the DC generator type to be one of 2-Construction with BIPV or 3-Glazing with BIPV
    7. Select under that the BIPV construction or glazing covered by that generator. Create one generator per BIPV construction and glazing used in the model. Any BIPV constructions not selected here will not generate electricity.
    8. Make sure that, having defined a new Electric load centre, the correct one is selected on the Generation tab.
  5. When the simulation is finished you can view solar PV contributions on the Analysis and Summary tabs: