Does pvDesign run in AutoCAD?

pvDesign works as a stand-alone product on your browser. You only require an internet connection to work. However, you can export much of the documentation and layout designs in CAD format.

Do I need external data sources to work with pvDesign?

No, pvDesign provides default data sources regarding site topography (Google Earth), meteorological data (PVGIS 5, NASA SSE and NASA Power), horizon profile , and albedo data (NASA MODIS). Customers can upload their own topography data in a CSV file as well as their own TMYs from SolarGIS, Meteonorm, Solaranywhere, and PVGIS 5. Meteorological data can also be uploaded by modifying a generic example file. In addition, users can create a custom albedo profile with monthly resolution.

How many users/seats does pvDesign have per subscription?

The number of users is unlimited for any annual plan. We encourage companies to use it across all their departments and offices. There is no geographical limitation.

Does pvDesign calculate energy yield results? What energy model does it use? Is it bankable?

pvDesign calculates energy yield results using in-house algorithms by our photovoltaic project engineers and software developers. These algorithms and the energy model they represent is currently being analyzed by an independent engineering firm.

Does pvDesign support rooftop projects?

Currently, pvDesign does not support rooftop projects . The software specializes in the design of ground-mounted utility-scale projects over 1 MW.

The end-to-end software to design and engineer photovoltaic plants

pvDesign is the leading cloud-based software to automate and optimize the study, analysis, design, and engineering of photovoltaic plants in all its stages. Speed up the design and engineering process of large-scale solar PV projects to boost teams' efficiency, increase accuracy, and reduce the construction costs of PV plants.

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Streamline the design of utility-scale solar PV plants to increase efficiency

pvDesign is a game-changing technology that is revolutionizing the way solar power plants are designed and engineered. By using digital technologies and heuristic calculations, it transforms traditional engineering through the optimization and automatization of processes. pvDesign runs in a secured cloud so your business data is highly safe and you can work in your favorite browser.

Plan

Smoothen the planning process

pvDesign helps you plan all the phases of your PV projects in an efficient way. Define the site where the PV plant will be located by uploading a kml or kmz file with exclusion areas, substations location, access roads, and MV cables delivery point. Choose your topography, including earthworks calculations and meteorological data from the available databases or upload your own source.

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Design

Accelerate time-to-design

pvDesign covers the entire design process of utility-scale solar projects while recommending optimal input values at each step of the process. With pvDesign you can select the civil and electrical configuration, choose the PV plant equipment—module, inverter, and structure—define the interconnection facility, and determine the energy losses. Start from scratch or clone a previous design to replicate previously inputted parameters with just a click. Several weeks of work in a few minutes.

BESS engineering

Hybridize your plant with BESS

The future of utility-scale PV projects is hybrid. The BESS module allows you to design your BESS and optimize its capacity in one tool.

Easily size the BESS of new and existing PV projects

Set the BESS requirements and optimize its capacity and the supply cycle duration

Get the basic engineering and its layout in a trice

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Optimize

Boost the competitiveness of solar projects

By scanning millions of iterations, pvDesign provides the best layout results in just a few seconds. Iterate your configuration as many times as needed to achieve the optimum design while maximizing the profitability and value of solar PV plants. Compare the different results and sort out the best configuration.

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Detailed documentation

All the engineering documentation in a click

Download detailed engineering documentation: Plant and BESS Layout, bill of quantities, energy yield results, MV, LV and interconnection facility SLDs, overhead lines design reports and many more in interactive 3D format and pdf. All the documentation is generated in 8 languages. In international or imperial units.

Sharing is caring

Stop emailing project files with colleagues and mess it up with document versions. Access, clone, iterate, and compare site projects across the entire organization. All plans include unlimited seats.

Tailored for solar PV

By gathering accurate irradiance data, the LCOE for your ground-mounted PV project is solid.

Multiplayer enabled

All our plans come with unlimited users and allow for creating as many designs per project as needed.

Lives in the cloud

pvDesign is efficient and scalable. It offers a SaaS deployment model to push new features instantly. Leave to our experienced team the hassle of maintaining the software. It enables you to grow as you go. Login and work on your browser.

Glocally accepted

Both input and output data and insights follow domestic standards, such as the IEEE SA, IEC, NEC or Standards Australia for electrical or cable sizing. Seamlessly adapt your results to your specific needs.

Making it simple

pvDesign bridges the gap between technical and non-technical users. So both types of roles can perform complex calculations and analysis in minutes with a very intuitive and user-friendly interface and recommended parameters included.