Once you have created the module settings, you can move to Layout settings. This is where you will define the parameters that will be applied to your layout. In this section you can specify:
- Mounting (enabled/disabled)
- Module model
- Layout type (Fixed-tilt, Flat east-west, Reverse east-west, Flush mount)
- Module orientation (Portrait, Landscape)
And depending on the layout type you have selected, you may have some or all of the following placing options available:
- Frames (On/Off)
- Allow partial frames (On/Off)
- Tilt from roof
- Align rows
- Align rows between PVareas
- Align modules by azimuth / roof edge
- Gap between modules
Mounting
The first parameter you can modify in your layout is Mounting. It is disabled by default, but you can enable it by switching the toggle ON. Then you can move on with the layout settings.
Module model
To start, open the Module model drop-down menu. Here you can select the preset or existing module (included in your Component library) that you want to use.
Then move on to the rest of the layout settings.
Layout type
The next step is to set the Layout type according to the roof. You have the following 4 options to choose from:
- Fixed-tilt
- Flat east-west
- Reverse east-west
- Flush mount
Fixed-tilt
This layout type involves a fixed angle and orientation, usually facing south in the Northern Hemisphere. However, PVcase will let you adjust your layout azimuth as needed.
Flat east-west
This layout type is orientated towards East-West. It consists of two modules, one facing east and another facing west.
Reverse east-west
This layout is similar to East-West, the only difference is that the modules are tilted inwards, which means they are facing each other.
Flush mount
This layout type is usually used for roofs with big slopes. The modules are placed without any tilt angle. Generated modules automatically match the slope of the roof.
Depending on the layout type that you choose, the Layout setting will be different. If you choose Flush mount, you can only change the module orientation. In the case of Fixed-tilt, Flat east-west, or Reverse east-west you can customize more settings, as shown below.
Module orientation (all types)
The module orientation can be portrait or landscape.
Frames (Fixed tilt)
In Fixed tilt layouts, you have the option to further adjust the layout of your frames by specifying the frame size and module gaps in each frame.
To activate the Frames option, select On and then fill in the corresponding fields.
The option of Adjust Frames enables you to choose between:
- Off: only generate full frames
- Partial Frames: if there are obstacles, they allow the system to remove modules from frames that overlap with the obstacles.
Allow partial frames (Flat/Reverse east-west)
In East-west layouts, you have the option to create separate east or west modules using the Allow partial frames option.
If you select Yes, PVcase’s algorithm will be able to generate a single row or column in tight areas, thus fully optimizing the roof.
Tilt from roof (all except Flush mount)
The tilt angle can be up to 89.90 degrees.
Align rows (all types)
Use this option to generate frames in a more orderly fashion, especially in less space-constrained areas. Check the Align rows checkbox and then start placing your modules.
Align rows between PV areas (all types)
Regardless of the layout type, you can control the way in which Roof Mount generates modules for your different PV areas. To do so, turn the Align rows between PV areas option On or Off, according to your needs:
- ON: Aligns the module placement so that rows are at the same position between separate PV areas. This allows for a cleaner and more organized arrangement.
- OFF: This allows you to maximize the PV area.
Align modules
Once you have specified the rest of the parameters, you can start placing your modules. Depending on your layout type, you have different options to align the modules, as detailed below.
Align by azimuth (all except Flush mount)
To align modules by azimuth, just select the corresponding option.
If needed, you can change the Azimuth. Here are some important tips:
- For the Fixed-tilt type, it can be up to 90 degrees.
- For the Flat east-west and Reverse east-west layout types, you can change the azimuth up to 180 degrees.
Align by roof edge (all types)
Regardless of the layout type you’re working with, you can choose to align your modules by Roof edge.
Gap between the modules (Flat/Reverse east-west)
You can change the distance between the modules by adjusting the gap between the east and west modules.