Quick Start

Below is a summary of the key workflows in PVCAD, each section corresponds to a tab in the PVCAD Window. This page is a snapshot of the detailed explanations to follow in our documentation. 

To begin, if you have an AutoCAD license download the PVCAD Plug-In, or if you have AutoCAD LT or do not have AutoCAD use our PVCAD + AutoCAD solution. Download the installer from the website and follow the provided installation instructions carefully. Upon successful installation, the PVCAD ribbon will appear in AutoCAD. If you are looking to use PVCAD through PVCAD Mega, navigate to SETTINGS> OPTIMIZATION and switch to STANDARD to enable standard PVCAD functionality. Once you download the software, if the PVCAD window does not appear on the right-hand side of your screen or you find certain functions not working, your organization’s security settings may be blocking PVCAD’s functionality.

1. AI

Ask any question of our AI, it can will help direct PVCAD to design for you, audit your design, refer to relevant code standard or permitting policy, and much more. Our AI has been trained on all of our documentation as well as broader solar engineering, it can take you from novice to pro in seconds. Using all the knowledge of AI and our PVCAD software, the AI will respond to specific questions and guide your workflow. The AI interprets site constraints, design targets, and engineering standards to produce efficient, construction-ready layouts. All project data shared is fully anonymized to ensure the confidentiality and security of your information. Simply:

1. Select the data you want to share with AI in the Refine data shared with AI
2. If you have updated your design, select Refresh data shared with AI
3. Type anything into the dialogue box OR select from prompt from dropdown menu and clickSEND

2. Project

Once you have installed the software, navigate to the Project tab to begin. You can either download a PVCAD template from our website here or click LOAD SAMPLE PROJECT and clear layout to easily access our template. This template is linked to all the input cells on this tab so that you can easily populate your template. After you have loaded your template, follow the steps to begin:

1. Go to Model Space in PVCAD.
2. Run the AutoCAD UNITS command by typing UNITS into the command line and pressing ENTER. In the Units dialog box, confirm or set the desired drawing units, such as feet, meters, or inches, before importing any imagery data.
3. Set the project location by clicking Set Location in the PVCAD ribbon.
   • You will have two options: selecting MAP or FILE. Choosing MAP allows you to set the project location by entering a latitude and longitude or an address using Google Earth. Alternatively, selecting FILEenable import a KMZ or KML file to define the project site.
4. After setting the location or importing the imagery, adjust the model space view to properly size the workspace. To do this, type Z and press ENTER to activate the Zoom command, then type E and press ENTERto perform “Zoom Extents.” This will ensure the imported data fits correctly within model space.

If you you are looking to load more Properties into your template, you can use the Expand List button to add in additional linked information. If you would like to load new properties from an excel file, you can use the Load Properties button. You can rename or reassign properties by hitting CONTROL + F and a window will pop up to reassign your template property.

3. Site Objects

Once the project location is set, use the Site tab to begin defining site objects. You can select from options such as Rooftop, Carport, Ground Mount Outline, Installation Area, or Obstruction.

1. First, start by clicking POLYLINE to outline the object, when you get to the end of trace – make sure to close the area and click enter to release the polyline.
2. Select the drawn object within model space of AutoCAD. After selecting the object, choose the appropriate object type from the dropdown menu available in the Site tab.
3. After selecting the type from the dropdown use the properties table below to set relevant parameters, including setbacks, object height, or any other specific features associated with the object, and click DEFINE.
4. Repeat this for every object you have drawn.

Setting the object properties like setback and height will be critical to the layouts and supporting calculations we will be doing later.

4. Version Settings

On the Version Setting tab, you will define a number of electrical features that will inform the electrical calculations used for the Single Line Diagram and various other electrical design components. Select from either:

• Inverter Type: String or Micro-Inverters
• Electric Code: NEC or IEC

You can also configure additional electrical parameters by choosing from the dropdown menus. Options include wire size, number of phases, and conductor material / type.

5. Mechanical Layout

We have defined all of our objects and now we will layout the project. On this tab we will pick our modules, inverter, racking type, and all to create our module design. If you have multiple installation areas on the same project you can use our subarray function to define different modules and mounting systems for each of the subarrays.  Once you have selected your mounting system, module, and highlighted any relevant subarrays, you are ready to make a layout.

1. Mounting System: Pick from a Sloped Roof, Flat Roof, Car Port, or Ground Mounted mounting type
   • Either can pick from User Defined or a specific manufacturer and model type
   • If you select User Defined from the below section, you can define all elements of your mounting system including: # of rows / columns, Tilt Angle, Row Spacing, Pitch, etc.
2. Module Type: Pick from manufacturers we have preloaded or you can upload a module to our system (see Mechanical Layout).
   • Pick from our extensive database of modules
   • If you don’t see the module you need, you can either email us to add the module or you can add the module locally by using the DATABASE in the PVCAD ribbon
3. Make A Layout: You can create a layout with either of the two options below:
   • MAKE LAYOUT – Automatically maximize the capacity of your layout with the modules, mounting system, obstructions, and installation area you have defined. Click this button and then click within the installation area and select your azimuth to produce the layout.
   • CLICK & DRAG – Layout the modules in a customized fashion – all you need to do is click and drag modules where you want them within the installation area.

6. Electrical Layout

This is where we select all elements associated with the electrical design: placing inverters, stringing the project, create a Single Line Diagram and supporting electrical calculations. Follow the actions on the tab to complete your electrical design:

1. Inverters: Select from our database of inverters, if you don’t see your desired inverter here – email us or add the inverter locally with DATABASE in the PVCAD ribbon. When you have picked the appropriate equipment, click INSERT and click in the model space where you would like the inverter or other electrical equipment placed.
   • Optimizer / MLPE / RSD – Depending on the type of inverter you select you will be prompted to select Optimizer type, Module Level Power Electronics (MLPE), or a Rapid Shutdown Device (RSD)
   • Batteries – We have the ability to add DC – Coupled Batteries and will be releasing AC Coupled Batteries in the coming months
2. Define Strings: Using these inputs you can easily string your modules for the subarray(s) in the module space
   • Directional – Will string in the direction you select, it will not complete strings that change direction
   • Auto Stringing – Automatically draw strings based off the string size that you select for the full project
   • Manual – Type FENCE and then draw a line within the model space in the direction of your choosing for the strings
3. Combiner Box: If you are using combiner boxes, click INSERT and select where you would like the combiner box in the module spot
4. AC / Main Service Panel: Click INSERT AC PANEL or INSERT MAIN PANEL and select where you would like your panels placed int model space
5. Module Strings to Inverter / Combiner: Click SOURCE CIRCUIT CONDUCTOR to connect directly to your inverter or combiner box by clicking the module strings and inverter / combiner,
   • If you are using a combiner, use OUTPUT CIRCUIT CONDUCTOR to connect your combiner to your inverter by clicking the combiner and invert in the model space
6. Battery to Inverter: Click BATTERY CIRCUIT CONDUCTOR, connect directly your DC battery to inverter by clicking the battery and inverter in the model space
7. Inverter to AC / Main Panel: Click AC CIRCUIT CONDUCTOR, connect your inverter to AC Panel and/or Main Service Panel by clicking first on your inverter and then your AC Panel / Main Service Panel

Once you have completed the above workflows, make sure to save your drawing. Once you have saved your drawing you then click SINGLE LINE DIAGRAM in the PVCAD Ribbon to create a Single Line Diagram. Your Single Line Diagram will populate within the model space and will be accompanied by all supporting calculations including voltage drop and current.

 7. Summary

The Summary tab contains key project details. Use the following buttons on the Summary tab and in the PVCAD Ribbon to fully analyze your project:

• EXPORT BOM – We will summarize and export to Excel the types of equipment used, counts, and lengths of wire needed so that you can take your PVCAD drawings directly to your equipment supplier to place an order
• PVSYST– Export a 3D representation of your project and shade scene into PVSyst to avoid laboriously re-drawing your project for a PVSyst energy estimate
• RECALCULATED ENERGY and QUICK ENERGY
• – Calculate an energy estimate using PVComplete’s 3D shading model to get an in-app energy estimate while you are working an can iterate – all you need is a project layout to complete this
• SHADING REPORT and SHADING ANALYSIS– Our shading analysis and report will give you a color gradient for the impact of drawn obstructions on the energy yield of your project
• EXPORT KML– View your project within Google Maps with this export