What we get is a generic PV-Si option and the type of inverter: small, string or central. The Prospect tool is tailored towards acquiring a broader feasibility with the focus being on the accuracy of the irradiation and meteorological data. Performance of the solar system can vary quite widely due to minor changes in irradiation and meteorological figures. SolarGIS is a company renowned for its accuracy in irradiation and meteorological data, a solid foundation upon which to build your solar systems. Solar Proposal Tools Available Prospect – SolarGIS The threshold for accuracy, however, is determined by the business application.
More often than not there is a lack of complete data or information, which makes the ability of the software to fill in the proverbial gap by extrapolating available data and applying algorithms to improve the PV design a valuable requirement. The ability of engineers & solar PV designers to learn the solar software quickly, the ability of the solar proposal software provider to train the sales team if required and/or easily hireable solar professionals well versed with the software is vital to the adoption of the software platform. This is particularly important in the final stages of the financial analysis of a commercial solar project, where the results of the simulation form the basis of the contract. Solar industry peers and decision makers need to acknowledge the validity and accuracy of the results produced by the solar simulation and proposal software. OND files & Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) data. Including the ability to use browsers, mobile devices and importing/exporting PV Module. Interoperability or compatibility of the software between various devices, other solar software and operating systems is also to be considered. The accuracy of the simulation of energy generated by the solar design software becomes vital to project managers concerned with delivering contracted energy generation goals. Asset ManagementĪn asset management software monitors the solar installation and measures the margin of error as compared to the estimates in the proposal. The proposal software is required to assess initial viability, an estimation of the amount of energy that can be generated given a particular location & space constraints or an investment decision based on the conclusion drawn by the generation value, the investment required, the return on investment or payback period based on the current utility rates and the lifetime cost of the solar project based on the government incentives, loan payments & carbon offsets applicable to the projects under consideration. So that they can have an informed discussion with the customer about the net benefit of investing in solar systems. Solar sales teams on the other hand require the solar design software to compare designs of different solar systems, the energy produced, the space utilised and the estimated price. Installers require the solar software to provide design of the solar system, components, technical specifications, delivery schedule, project management plan, layouts, drawings, single line diagrams, certification reports and approved permits. Solar software applications differ based on the business model of the solar companies, the granularity of the data and the type of information that is required from the proposal. Therefore creating and editing solar design proposals with ease allows the sales team to respond to a customer’s email query with more detailed information about features, pricing, utility rate comparisons, government incentives, loan payments and carbon offsets. Here are a few things to consider when choosing the correct solar proposal software Ease of useįrom a business operations point of view easy is efficient, efficient is faster and faster is profitable. Considerations When Choosing Solar Simulation and Sales Proposals SoftwareĪ good solar estimation software will give you the user the right tools to estimate viability.
Here is a overview of solar design, energy simulation, finance estimation & solar sales proposal tools available what to look for and how to pick the software that is right for you. As a solar installation company picking the right software tools help you get one step closer to being the right partner for your customer’s journey to a solar future. Solar Photovoltaic has become the lowest LCOE of all the available electricity generating methods in the world, making it the obvious choice for all but there are still a few things that need to be considered before one takes the step to invest one’s hard earned money into a solar system. Solar Design Tools, What Is Right For You?