Capacity iteration - Fixed-tilt PV layout

The Capacity iteration tool can run calculations to determine whether a given power capacity can fit within the specified area (or multiple areas). It may also be used to populate PV areas with frames as you would using Generate Single Area & Generate Multiple Areas.

Before you begin

• Make sure your Layout settings and Frame & Park settings are configured.
• In Frame & Park settings, set the Shade limit toggle to Angle for iterations to function properly. These parameters will be used when performing capacity iterations.

Learn more about Layout, Frame & Park settings in Fixed-tilt – PV layout creation.

Step 1. Select your PV areas and alignment

1. Click the Capacity iteration icon in the toolbar.

2. Under Select areas, click Single Area (or select multiple areas).
3. Click the boundary line of your target PV area in the drawing.
4. Draw an alignment line across the area.
5. Press Enter or Space to finalize the selection.

Step 2. Set your iteration parameters

The iteration process can be used to determine the precise pitch, inner spacing, GCR, shading angle and/or tilt angle to reach your capacity. This depends on which iteration options (Spacing mode and tilt angle) you select.

Define the range of values you want the tool to test:

• From: The minimum value (distance, angle, or ratio) to evaluate.
• To: The maximum value to evaluate.
• Step: The increment value between each option.
  • Example: If you define a pitch range from 6 to 10 meters with a 1-meter step, the software will evaluate options at 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 meters. The same logic applies to all other parameters. The total number of generated iterations equals the product of the available options for spacing and tilt angle: N(spacing steps) × N(tilt steps).

These limits may also imply shading in certain areas because we are restricting the required distance to be shade-free for a given angle.

Step 3. Select Iteration Mode

Iterate by Spacing

1. Select a spacing mode (e.g., Pitch, GCR, Inner spacing) from the drop-down menu.
2. Enter the From, To, and Step values (e.g., From: 7 m, To: 10 m, Step: 1 m).
3. Click Iterate.

Iterate by Spacing and Tilt Angle

1. Select your desired spacing mode and set the spacing range parameters.
2. Check the Tilt angle option.
3. Define the From, To, and Step values for the tilt angle range.
4. Click Iterate to generate a combined matrix of spacing and tilt combinations.

Using Capacity Target 

Enable Capacity Target to automatically find the spacing configuration that comes closest to your target solar plant capacity. Once calculated, the software automatically pins the scenario that best matches your target without exceeding it.

Step 4. Generate and pin layouts

When calculations are complete, the Capacity Iteration table will display all viable options.

1. Review the scenario metrics in the table.
2. Select the option that meets your target capacity.
3. Click Generate.

You can create multiple iterations without losing earlier ones and use the Pin tool to keep layouts suited for your project, which remain even after re-iteration with new parameters.

Step 5. Export options

The Capacity iteration tool provides two direct export options:

• Export multiple layouts to PVcase Yield (only available for users with a Yield license)

• Export iteration results in the Bill of Materials

Note: If you have a Yield license, just select the layouts you would like to bulk export and click on Export to Yield.
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If you have performed capacity iterations, results will automatically be included in the BOM. In Layout information, use Export to XLSX as usual.

QuickYield simulation results

QuickYield uses industry-standard assumptions and a few user-defined settings to provide faster yet less precise yield estimates directly in the Capacity Iteration table.

For advanced performance insights, we recommend exporting the project to PVcase Yield.