Import Anderson Optimization Prospect sites
As part of our ongoing integration with the Anderson Optimization Prospect tool, it is now possible to import the selected site directly into PVcase Ground Mount. The integration of these two dominant offerings into one platform improves the entire development process and enhances the performance and efficiency of solar projects. By transferring all the site information from AO to PVcase, data risk is reduced, and design quality is assured.
Where
On the toolbar, click on the import dropdown, and choose Import AO Data. Select the AO export file, and it will be imported.
How
To get started, select your chosen units in Layout generation settings. The AO data will be transformed into the chosen units of distance measurement in AutoCAD.
Every piece of data within the AO data file will be imported into Ground Mount. Hazards, offsets, and the high-quality terrain data will be created in AutoCAD model space. Your project will be geolocated, and your shading settings will be updated. With just a single click, you'll be all set to start PV generation on your selected site.
Calculate row spacing based on shading allowance
We are excited to announce a new feature that allows you to calculate the optimal row spacing, tailored to your desired shading level per row. This feature is designed to optimize the energy output and efficiency of your solar farm. Leveraging the precise sun positioning data for your selected date and time, Ground Mount will calculate the required shading angle and row pitch to guarantee the required shading percentage.
Where
On the Frame and Park Settings tab, under Park settings, make sure you have your project location selected.
How
Select Time and set the date and time to calculate the sun's position. This position is used to calculate how much shading will be allowed on the PV frame.
Now click on the Angle button. Beside the Shade limit angle, you can see the Allowed shading input field. Setting this to 0% means that the shading angle will only reach the bottom of the PV at the chosen date and time. Set to 50%, and the frame will be at most 50% shaded at the chosen date and time.
We use this allowed shading percentage to calculate the respective shading angle and pitch so that the PV frame will be shaded up to the specified amount at the chosen date and time.
We hope you enjoy this new feature and find it useful for your solar design projects. Your feedback is invaluable to us, so please feel free to share your thoughts with us via email or within the app. Your support and insights are greatly appreciated.
Other Updates
Adapt to Terrain update
We've split Adapt to Terrain into two commands, so that you have more control over how the adaptation works.
Adapt to positions - keeps the frame x,y position and adapts it to the terrain. This is useful if you have manually moved some frames around, and want to sit them properly on the terrain whilst keeping their positions.
Adapt by settings - the Frame and park settings will be applied to the selected frames. The x,y positions can change, according to the alignment line. This is useful when you want to make sure that all the frames are aligned according to row spacings in the settings.
You can select one frame, a row, or a whole PV area to apply the new adapt commands.
Custom Piling Compass Indicator
The indicator makes it clear to see which end is which.
Importing KML automatically updates Geolocation
When importing a KML file, the location of your site will be automatically matched to it. This saves time and ensures you are working from the correct location.