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Capacity iteration parameters
The capacity iteration tool can be used to run calculations to determine if it is possible to fit a certain power capacity within the given 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.
Prior to attempting to use the Capacity iteration feature, we must ensure that both the Layout settings and Frame & Park settings are established. These parameters will be used when performing capacity iterations.
Important: You should set the Shade limit toggle to "Angle" in the Frame & Park settings for it to work.
Learn more about Layout, Frame & Park settings in Fixed-tilt – PV layout creation.
We start by opening the Capacity iteration tool by clicking on its icon.
We are now able to select one or more PV areas (based on preference and/or viability) that you would like the tool to iterate. The Capacity iteration tool will remember your selection and will not require you to re-select should you need to reiterate the areas later. We will now select our PV area by clicking on Single Area in the Select areas field, and then selecting the target PV area boundary line. Then we are prompted to draw an alignment line - once we have drawn it, we press Enter or Space on the keyboard to finalize the selection.
The iteration process can be used to determine the precise pitch, inner spacing, GCR, shading angle and/or tilt angle to reach your capacity. It depends on which iteration options (Spacing mode and tilt angle) you have selected.
From - this value represents the lowest distance, angle, or ratio the program will consider for the iteration.
To - this value represents the furthest distance, ratio, or angle that the program will consider for the iteration.
Step - the increment by which the software will adjust the parameters. If the range of pitches that is defined is from 6 to 10 meters, and the step 1 meter, then the software will provide scenarios with 6,7, ..., 9, & 10 meters as possible options. The same applies to the other parameters. The number of iterations that the tool will produce is equal to the product of the number of possible options for spacing and tilt: N(spacing steps) x N (tilt steps).
Having those limits in place may also imply having shading in certain areas because we are restraining the required distance to be shade-free for a given angle.
Iteration types
Iterate by Spacing - We choose pitch from the drop down menu and specify the starting value of the pitch - let us use 7 meters and a maximum pitch of 10 meters. The next step is to specify the pitch step, let us leave it at 1 meter, this way if we click on Iterate we will get 4 iterations on the left side of the iteration menu. Once that is done, you may click to Iterate
The same applies when using one of the other Spacing modes.
Iterate by spacing and tilt angle - We now choose the desired spacing mode, check the tilt angle option, and specify the steps, start and end values. This way, PVcase will join both iterations into one and we will have results for the same spacing with multiple tilt angles and vice versa.
This will create a list of all viable options from which you can select which ones have your desired results and you can place them into your layout by clicking Generate.
You can generate multiple different iterations without losing the previous ones. You can use the Pin tool to retain layouts that are best suited for your project. These will be retained even if you re-iterate with new parameters.
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
If you have a Yield license, just select the layouts you would like to bulk export and click on Export to Yield:
If you have performed capacity iterations, results will automatically be included in the BOM. In Layout information, just use the Export to XLSX as usual: