Run a batch design for tilt angle values, customize the power station transformers
pvDesign - backend v13.1.4, frontend v5.0.3
In July we released a new mode for the batch design tool. It now allows users to automatically start simulations testing different tilt angles. This improvement makes it much easier to find the optimal fixed structure configuration.
We also released the new custom power station transformers feature, which makes it possible to generate more detailed designs in regards to the electrical system.
Finally, this month we laid the groundwork required to release exciting new features in the coming months. Stay tuned to learn more in future latest updates posts!
New Features
These features were released in July:
- Tilt angle in batch mode: Start a batch design to test different tilt angle values, in fixed structure mode. To do so, click the Generate Multiple Designs button in the design process page. The pitch can be fixed for all designs, or adjusted automatically. If the pitch is fixed, the GCR changes for each design, but the peak power remains constant. In the automatic pitch adjustment mode, the pitch will change so that the shading losses are minimized, allowing you to find the optimal tilt value. When the batch simulation ends, you can compare the results of the designs using the design comparison tool.
- Customize the power station transformers: It is now possible to define the configuration of the power station transformers. The allowed options are to add another transformer (2 transformers per power station), to select between 2-winding or 3-winding transformers, to oversize the transformer capacity by up to 30%, and to modify the short circuit impedance. The changes will be reflected in the design report, bill of quantities and in the project sheet, and in all the SLD documents.
Bug fixes and improvements
We released the following minor bug fixes and improvements this month:
- Improved the layout of the My Company page.
- Improved the structure creation tool.
- It is now possible to create CAPEX templates with more than 10 categories.
- Fixed a bug in the design comparison tool.
- Fixed a bug in the structure creation tool, which caused the number of linked rows to appear even if single row tracker was selected.
- Improved the geometrical algorithms used in pvDesign, resulting in faster simulations than before.
- Fixed a bug which was causing simulation failures due to cables with zero length.
- Fixed a bug in the layout generation process which could cause simulations to fail.
- Changed the units of the module spacing field in the PV Collada file.
- Fixed an issue which occurred when areas where sharing the LV configuration using string inverters, by which the number of transformers could be incorrect.
- Fixed an issue which caused subareas to be left unconnected when the access point crosses all the subareas.
- Fixed an issue in the geometrical algorithms which caused simulation failures.
- Improved the performance of some calculations which were too slow and were causing some simulations not to finish.
- Fixed a bug which caused simulation failures due to an error related to the substation inputs.
- Optimized methods in the grouping stage, improving simulation performance in large designs.
- Optimized the equipment positioning stage, resulting in better simulation speed.
- Improved the algorithms which lay down the LV cables when it connects cables from another area to the LV system of an area.
- Fixed an issue which was causing some trackers in the PV Collada file to be read as objects.
- Fixed a bug which caused the batch designs to not use the inputs set by the user.
- Fixed a bug in the grouping stage which resulted in unbalanced equipment when using partial structures.