Methods and systems for designing photovoltaic systems

摘要

A method for designing a photovoltaic (PV) system is implemented by a design automation computer system. The method includes receiving a set of site data, receiving a system type selection, receiving a plurality of system component selections, receiving a plurality of PV layout preferences, determining a PV module layout by iteratively applying a first layout algorithm to the set of site data and the plurality of PV layout preferences, the PV module layout defining a placement of a plurality of PV modules of a PV system, determining a structural layout, an electrical design, and an electrical layout based on the PV module layout, determining a bill of materials based on the PV module layout, the structural layout, and the electrical layout, and designing the PV system using the structural layout, the electrical design, the electrical layout, the PV module layout, and the bill of materials.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method for designing a photovoltaic (PV) system, the method implemented by a design automation computer system in communication with a memory, the method comprising:
receiving a set of site data, wherein the site data includes a set of location identifiers; determining a set of location design characteristics based on the set of site data; retrieving a set of structural product rules; identifying a subset of structural product rules associated with the set of location design characteristics; receiving a system type selection; receiving a plurality of system component selections; receiving a plurality of PV layout preferences; determining, at the design automation computer system, a PV module layout by iteratively applying a first layout algorithm to the set of site data and the plurality of PV layout preferences, the PV module layout defining a placement of a plurality of PV modules of a PV system; determining a structural layout, an electrical design, and an electrical layout based on the PV module layout; refining the structural layout based on the subset of structural product rules; determining a bill of materials based on the PV module layout, the structural layout, and the electrical layout; defining a PV system model using the structural layout, the electrical design, the electrical layout, the PV module layout, and the bill of materials; and displaying at least a portion of the PV system model on a visual display.