Solar Design book Software
LIST OF SOFTWARE in the SOLAR DESIGN BOOK
Software Included in the Solar Design book
- SolarSizer --- size array, battery, water pumps, and more
- WireSizer --- size the wires and breakers
- Bill of Materials --- generate a bill of materials with costs
- Correct to Standard --- correct an IV curve to STC
- Costing Calculations --- calculate life cycle cost, cost of electricity, more
- Module Efficiency --- calculate module efficiency
- Pump Curve --- generate pump curves from data
- Pump Efficiency Calculation --- calculate pump efficiency
- Row Shadows --- shows the amount of shadowing by month
SolarSizer
Used to calculate the require size of a solar system including such things as battery bank size. Can also be used to calculate the output of a planned solar system. The panel can be fixed or mounted on either a two-axis tracker or a single-axis tracker. The program includes a data base of insolation and temperature data for 291 sites within the United States, Guam, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Bocas del Toro, Panama.
Version 1.31 now available, click HERE or click on Corrections tab above.
WireSizer
Used to check wire size and breaker or fuse rating. Accounts for conditions of use, temperature, wiring rating, and sheathing. To be used as a guide only and not a substitute for the National Electric Code (NEC). Greatly reduces the time necessary to size wire. Calculates voltage and power losses in the wire.
Bill of Materials
A template that can be used to generate a bill of materials. Calculates total system cost. Includes provision for entering item number, description, model number, part number, brand, vendor, quantity, and unit cost.
Correct to Standard
Used to correct raw IV data to Standard Test Conditions (STC). Provides IV curves of raw and corrected data and calculates maximum power.
Costing Calculations
Used to calculate the cost of a system in terms of initial cost, lifetime cost, cost of electricity, and payback period.
Module Efficiency
Used to calculate the area efficiency of a rectangular module given the dimensions and maximum power.
Pump Curve
Used to generate pump discharge and efficiency curves. Inputs are flow, power input, and pressure data.
Pump Efficiency Calculation
Use to calculate pump efficiency given pressure, flow, and power input.
Row Shadows
Used to determining the amount of shadowing between rows of solar panels.