Design Optimization using the Latest Features in HelioScope
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This document discusses the latest features in HelioScope solar design software and their implications for design optimization. It outlines new performance modeling capabilities like spectral adjustment and sub-hourly calculations. Engineering process enhancements include team management, design profiles, and permitting tools. The design environment features improved stringing, AC circuit calculations, 3D modeling, and layout parameters. These updates allow for less reliance on rules of thumb and more complex, optimized designs. The product roadmap indicates expanding LiDAR, optimization incorporating financials, tracker modeling, and advanced inverter modeling.
Design Optimization using the Latest Features in HelioScope
- 1. Design Optimization using the Latest Features in HelioScope October 2016 1
- 2. Agenda 1. Latest Features in HelioScope 2. Implications for Design Optimization 3. HelioScope Development Roadmap 2
- 3. About Folsom Labs & HelioScope • Solar-focused software company • Based in San Francisco, CA • Flagship product is HelioScope 3 • Cloud-based sales & design software • Integrates system design and performance modeling • Similar math to PVsyst (PAN file support, irradiance calculations, etc.) • Used for preliminary layouts, value- engineering, and bankable energy yield calculations • Used on projects of all sizes (residential, commercial, utility) • 7,000 Users worldwide
- 4. 1. Latest Features in HelioScope 4
- 5. The Latest Features in HelioScope Performance Modeling • Spectral adjustment & weather datasets • Sub-hourly calculations Engineering Process • Team management • Design profiles • Permit generator (SLD, site plan) • Document center Design Environment • Stringing for dual-MPPT inverters • Automatic stringing based on ASHRAE temperatures • More robust AC circuit calculations • 3D mode & improved visualization • New layout parameters: – East-West Racking – Stackable Field Segments – Frame Spacing – Module Alignment Options 5
- 6. Performance Modeling • Spectral adjustment & weather datasets • Sub-hourly calculations Engineering Process • Team management • Design profiles • Permit generator (SLD, site plan) • Document center Design Environment • Stringing for dual-MPPT inverters • Automatic stringing based on ASHRAE temperatures • More robust AC circuit calculations • 3D mode & improved visualization • New layout parameters: – East-West Racking – Stackable Field Segments – Frame Spacing – Module Alignment Options 6 The Latest Features in HelioScope
- 7. Spectral Adjustment • First Solar Spectral Adjustment (Lee, M. et al, PVSC 2015): 𝑀 ≈ 1.266 − 0.091𝑒1.199 ∙ (𝑝 𝑤𝑎𝑡+0.5)−0.21 𝑀 = spectral shift 𝑝 𝑤𝑎𝑡 = precipitable water • Default for CdTe modules • Weather Data - the biggest barrier – Only 7% of >25k datasets in HelioScope contain 𝑝 𝑤𝑎𝑡 – 𝑝 𝑤𝑎𝑡 calculated from Relative Humidity or Dew Point Temp for 87% of datasets – Rewrote parsers for all weather data sources 7
- 8. Automatic Stringing based on ASHRAE Temperatures 8
- 9. 3D Mode, Stacking Field Segments, and East-West Racking 9
- 11. 2. Implications for Design Optimization 11
- 12. Less Reliance on Rules of Thumb Example: Shade Tolerance • Rule: winter solstice shade exclusions (10am-2pm) are needed for shade setbacks • Advantages: – Adjusts for location – Fairly straightforward to calculate • Disadvantage: – not all hours are created equal 12
- 13. Less Reliance on Rules of Thumb 13 Heatmap of annual shade losses for each module Shade losses calculated based on hourly weather file and shade patterns
- 14. More Optimization, Across More Complex Designs 14 Shade (%) Power (kW) Yield (kWh/kWp) Energy (MWh/year) 96.3 1,684 162 98.3 1,674 165 108.8 1,668 181 122.4 1,647 201 2.7% 10am to 2pm 15% Shade Threshold 10% Shade Threshold 5% Shade Threshold 2.7% 3.2% 4.4% +27% -3% +24%
- 15. Performance Modeling using LiDAR 15 Terrain Modeling Image curtesy of iq.intel.com Improved Shade Obstruction Modeling
- 17. Product Roadmap • Expand LiDAR • Optimization incorporating project financials & customer proposals • Tracker modeling • Advanced inverter modeling (current limiting, temperature dependency) • Sub-module MPPT • NSRDB and proprietary weather sources • Spectral adjustment for non-CdTe modules 17
- 18. Thank you! 18
- 19. Questions and Comments? Teresa W. Zhang, PhD teresa.zhang@folsomlabs.com 19
- 20. Additional Resources 20 http://www.folsomlabs.com/resources Voltage Drop Analysis Shading Optimization Binning Cost/Benefit String Inverter Energy Yield Analysis Wiring Optimization Case Study
- 21. Dew point to Relative Humidity to Precipitable Water 21 • Dew Point to Relative Humidity Meteonorm Global Meteorological Database, “Handbook part II: Theory, Version 7.1”, July 2015: • Relative Humidity to Precipitable Water Keogh 2011: