Overview

This article guides you through the creation of a single-axis tracker PV layout.


Table of Contents


PV layout and results

A. Start a project by following these steps

B. Create a single-axis tracker table following these steps

C. Open the PV layout menu by clicking on this icon

D. Fill in the required fields. Use the next section 'interface and typical inputs' as guidance

E. Click Apply, your PV layout will be automatically created

F. To review the PV layout results, click on the orange Results button. A new window will open

G. In the PV layout results window you can review your results. You can also 

  • delete results
  • render result in region 
  • clone input in run screen
  • show all result inputs


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Interface and typical inputs

The screenshots of the PV layout interface contain numbers for each line item which relate to the numbers in the tables for each line item below. The asterisks (*) in the screenshots indicate that an input is required. In the tables below you find the description of each line item, and if applicable, we give an example of a typical value ('typically') for a single-axis tracker PV layout.



IDDescriptionIDDescription
1.Drop-down list to choose region/s for the PV layout 8.Target System Size: PV layout aims to reach this system size
Typically: blank
2.Drop-down list to choose table/s for the PV layout 9.North-South Spacing: spacing of tables in the North-South direction
Typically: 60 inches
3.Select between uniform or non-uniform alignment of tables
Typically: uniform		10.East-West Spacing: spacing of tables in the East-West direction; choose between Gap (back edge to front edge), Pitch (center to center), or GCR (Ground Coverage Ratio, 1-100%)
Typically: GCR 35-50 
4.Select between quick, normal, or detailed depth of layout algorithm. The more detailed the layout, the longer it will take to create the layout, but the opportunity for increased output will be higher
Typically: any value		11.Fix Inverter Quantity: toggle to decide on a set number of inverters; by turning it on, the target DC/AC ratio option will disappear and will be replaced by 'inverter quantity' (point 15) 
Typically: toggle off
5.Azimuth[°]: the direction (in degrees) the tables face, i.e. North: 0°, East: 90°, South: 180°, West: 270° 
Typically: 180°;

If you wish to use the azimuth based on an edge of the polygon, select that edge and click on the play button.		12.Inverter: drop-down list to choose inverter
6.Skew[°]: the angle of the layout. Azimuth stays the same
Typically: 0°

If you wish to use the skew based on an edge of the polygon, select that edge and click on the play button.		13.Target DC/AC Ratio:  used to estimate inverter quantity for energy simulation 
Typically: 1.3
7.Start Point: point from which PV layout is created 
Typically: any value 

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ID
Description
14.
Additional layout configuration: toggle to turn on option for additional North-South, and East-West gap inputs
Typically: toggle on
15.
Additional North-South Gap: additional space in the North-South direction for placement of i.e. roads at a specified interval, by rows or distance
Typically: Rows, every 8 rows a gap of 600 inches
16.
Additional East-West Gap: additional space in the East-West direction for placement of i.e. roads at a specified interval, by columns or distance 
Typically: Column, every 40-50 columns a gap of 600 inches 
17.
Apply: creates PV layout
18.
Reset: erases inputs from PV layout menu
19.
Abort: stops the PV layout creation
     20.Undo Layout: erases PV layout from map

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Manually editing the PV layout

1. Move a table 

  • Choose the Select tool
  • Click on the table(s) you want to move. When selected, they are highlighted in yellow 
  • Choose the Move tool
  • Choose the base point, and the move point. Both are indicated via a yellow dot, connected by a black line. When both points were chosen, the table will automatically be moved


2. Delete a table 

  • Choose the Select tool
  • Click on the table(s) you want to move. When selected, they are highlighted in yellow
  • Press delete on your keyboard
  • A pop up window will appear on the top right side of your screen. Press Save Changes or Reset


3. Copy a table

  • Choose the Select tool
  • Click on the table(s) you want to move. When selected, they are highlighted in yellow 
  • Choose the Clone table tool 


4. Select multiple tables

  • Press the ctrl key and drag the mouse over the tables you want to select
  • To unselect multiple tables, press shift, and ctrl, and drag the mouse over the tables you want to unselect


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See also

Single-Axis Tracker


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