A thorough and accurate shading analysis is the most crucial design element in evaluating solar options for commercial or residential buildings. This step is vital because an incorrect shading analysis can lead to massive production deviations. This isn’t an ideal result and can lead to dissatisfied customers, giving our industry a negative reputation. A reliable local installer will perform various shade analyses when your property is in the slightest chance of shade caused by trees. 8MSolar design engineers use two-step verification methods for all properties with even the tiniest amounts of shading. This particular analysis is crucial because the entire financial return of the solar PV system is based upon real-world production figures. If the production estimates are inaccurate, the viability of the whole venture is in doubt. 8MSolar carefully considers every possible shading variation and creates accurate and absolute output numbers.
If you think your house has many trees and are concerned that they may influence production, contact any of our design specialists, and we’ll be glad to assist you further. Call us now at 919-367-1831!
HELIOSCOPE SOLAR SHADING ANALYSIS
Helioscope is an incredible tool that lets us accurately determine the precise properties of solar installations quickly and with great results. We utilize this tool to enter your home’s exact details, such as the roof’s height, roof pitch, array azimuth, the shape of the array in the roofing, shading inter-row, and the technical specifications of equipment and efficiency. We also use the local weather patterns in the last ten years to gauge production for the coming years precisely. A well-designed Helioscope shade report can be beneficial and produces fantastic results that we can present to our clients. An in-depth shading analysis helps us assess the feasibility of solar PV projects if shade is involved.
SOLAR PATHFINDER SHADING ANALYSIS
After the initial analysis, an in-person Solar pathfinder analysis is carried out. Pathfinder analysis analyzes the exact shade profile. Our field technicians conduct pathfinder analyses on every roof surface, including solar panels. The solar pathfinder examines the shading pattern of all trees and other objects that cause shade and creates a track of the things that shade every roof surface. The data is then fed to an exclusive software, along with other system information like the type of array and size, number of solar panels, the type of inverter used, and the efficiencies of equipment, and an estimate of production is produced. The solar power production estimate calculation is exact and is the ultimate authoritative source for making a roof. If we can confirm our initial Helioscope estimates are in line with the Pathfinder estimates are accurate. We’ve correctly performed our work and begun with a thorough engineering and design for the system.
AURORA SOLAR LIDAR DATA-BASED SHADE ANALYSIS
After installing hundreds of solar panels, Aurora Solar is the most precise method of analyzing shading. Aurora Solar provides real-world LIDAR (radar) information to determine the height, depth of foliage and the shape of structures and trees that cause shade.
When the causes of shade are correctly modeled, we can assess the impact that could be felt on the solar kWh generation. In the above example, shadow caused by trees on the south-east part of the church is expected to result in around 5.6 percent power loss.