Program for planning PV facades (grip coupled system). PVcad version 1.2.1 offers interfaces to civil engineering CAD systems (DXF-Import) as well as extensive databases for weather data at many different locations, modules and inverters. Specially adapted algorithms ensure a fast calculation of the electrical energy yield. Shading of modules is calculated (direct and diffuse light). Ease of use and a graphical presentation of the calculated results give further support to the user.
Keywords
photovoltaic, facade, yield, electrical
Validation/Testing
N/A
Expertise Required
Basic know how in electrical engineering and grid-connected photovoltaics.
Users
Approximately 100, mostly in Germany.
Audience
Electrical engineers planning grid-connected photovoltaic systems, especially photovoltaic facades.
Input
Information on the geometry of the building and the PV generator via a CAD file (DXF12). Selection of the location via menu driven database. Electrical layout of the generator, supported by component databases, interactively on a simple 3D visualisation of the building. Basic electrical data of the modules and the inverter (if not already in the database).
Output
Energy yield, performance ratio of PV generator (overall or separated for each inverter), ASCII datafile with hourly irradiance and temperature data of the location. ASCII datafile with hourly irradiance for each module (might be a large file...).
Computer Platform
Windows 95/98/2000, NT4.
Programming Language
Algorithms: C++; user interface: Delphi (object Pascal)
Strengths
PVcad calculates the electrical energy yield of a grid connected PV system.
An import filter for DXF-CAD drawings is provided.
Shading and different types of modules are taken into account.
Generators with multiple inverters can be simulated.
Component database with app 250 modules and 100 inverters.
Weather database with 1900 locations.
Weaknesses
Only a German-language version available, Input of building geometry only via DXF import or with ASCII text containing list of 3D-coordinates. Weather database not expandable by the user.
Contact
Availability
Copyrighted freeware, download from web site and use is free. For distributing on CD or internet please ask for permission first.
Direct download: www.iset.uni-kassel.de/abt/w3-a/pvcad/pvcad12setup.exe (3.6 MB). Manual (German language version only) is available online for download.
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