Best solar design classes and software:
Comparison between top solar design software - PVSyst, SketchUp and Helioscope
This article summarizes the difference, importance and uses of world’s leading solar design software PVSyst, SketchUp and Helioscope
What does PVSyst do and how will it help me as a solar designer? Is SketchUp the right solar design software to learn? Which solar design training should I undergo? Can I get this software for free?
These questions are common amongst not just budding solar engineers but also solar professionals who wish to make a full-time career in solar PV design. In this article, we’ll be simplifying these solar design software for you and in-turn help you make a better decision as to which solar design software is the best for you!
Let’s have a look at each
PVSyst Software
PVSyst is a downloadable solar design software that is used to estimate and optimize the energy output of a solar PV plant.
The team behind PVSyst describes the software as “PVSyst is a PC software package for the study, sizing and data analysis of complete PV systems. It deals with grid-connected, stand-alone, pumping and DC-grid (public transportation) PV systems, and includes extensive meteo and PV systems components databases, as well as general solar energy tools”
As a professional solar designer, using PVSyst, you would have to specify the technical specifications of a solar PV plant (components, tilt, azimuth, financial budgets, arrangement) and its environmental conditions (location, shading, losses, meteo data) and estimate the energy generated, energy lost, financial estimations and so on.
The main results to be derived from PVSyst reports are the total energy production, performance ratio, specific energy and gains/losses involved in the simulation. Solar designers use the report produced from a PVSyst simulation to draft a proposal that is submitted to potential solar clients.
SketchUp Software
SketchUp is a design software used to create 3D visuals in architecture, gaming, construction and other areas.
SketchUp by itself is mainly a general 3D modeling tool with a variety of applications. To allow SketchUp to help solar designers create 3D models of solar power plants, a plug-in called Skelion is used. Skelion is a downloadable plug-in that can help solar designers create residential solar installations or ground-mounted solar power plants. The combination of SketchUp and Skelion is recognized by solar designers, solar engineers and the entire solar industry. It allows solar designers and EPCs to lower the cost of solar design. It saves solar designers hours of modeling time and helps create beautiful and professional presentations and sales proposals.
SketchUp and Skelton have found a lot of success and popularity amongst solar design engineers by assisting them in making 3D model mockups – while seamlessly using it along with other solar design simulation software such as PVSyst.
HelioScope Software
Helioscope is a simple and intuitive solar design program built by Folsom Labs that includes all the features of PVSyst and adds the basic solar design functionality of AutoCAD, allowing solar designers to do a complete design with one package. By combining streamlined layout tools with bankable energy simulations, HelioScope helps solar designers improve their design speeds by 5x-10x.
Helioscope is a web-based solar design tool. There is no additional software to download and you can use it from any connected computer around the world. Instead of downloading the solar design software or outright buying the program’s license, you pay a monthly or annual fee and access it from any computer system by logging into the Helioscope website.
Helioscope is considered to be a solar design software that is far simpler to use compared to PVSyst. As a solar design software, Helioscope offers the best of both worlds where you can use a single software to carry out both energy estimations and create beautiful 3D solar designs.
Helioscope is however not as widely used as PVSyst and SketchUp – especially in India. Its usage is, however, catching up.
| Particulars | PVSyst | SketchUp + Skelion | Helioscope |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ease of Usage |
Requires a lot of training, practice and time to get used to as the solar design software has a lot of features and options.
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Easy to use but requires training and practice to create the most appealing 3D models. |
Easiest to use out of the three solar design software. |
|
Global Recognition |
PVSyst is the industry-wide preferred solar design software. Solar design engineers and veterans in the solar industry vouch for accurate simulations of the solar design software. |
SketchUp is a commonly known 3D model design software globally. |
Helioscope is a relatively new solar design software whose usage is catching up. It claims to have a simulation accuracy of within 1% of PVSyst. Its usage in India is however limited as the Google Map images rendered are not the clearest. |
|
In-built database of components |
PVSyst comes with an in-built database for meteo databases such as NASA, Meteonorm, PVGIS, and also has a wide component database. Data can also be customized and imported. Some meteo databases charge for the latest information and the price of which is not covered in the PVSyst license. |
Requires a payable plugin called Skelion to be downloaded additionally for SketchUp to become usable by solar designers. The plugin comes with its database of components. The database of solar PV panels is customizable. |
Helioscope is a web-based application and so all components are available in the software. The software is also internally integrated and synced with Google Maps. |
|
Importance of Sales proposals |
The PVSyst report is a critical component of a solar project’s sales proposal as PVSyst provides energy estimates, losses and overall feasibility and performance of the plant, which clients expect before going ahead with the installation of the solar PV power plant
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SketchUp is not the most critical component of a sales proposal as the 3D model generated from SketchUp+Skelion is primarily used to impress your clients with the visuals of the potential solar power plant.
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Helioscope forms a critical component of a sales proposal in the countries that it is accepted as it provides energy estimates, losses and overall feasibility and performance of the plant, which clients expect before going ahead with the installation of the solar PV power
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Solar design training and solar design certification:
Creating an efficient solar PV power plant requires extensive expertise in various aspects such as site analysis, solar system design, electrical engineering, and other critical parameters. Trying to acquire this knowledge on your own can be overwhelming and inefficient.
Having a grasp of the intricacies of solar PV system design and the accompanying solar design software will make you a reliable solar design engineer. Hence, it is essential to take professional assistance and undertake solar PV system design training. By undertaking such training, you will be equipped to construct technically sound solar installations.
The exciting news is that you can now receive professional training as a solar design engineer from the comfort of your own home! Discover the exceptional online solar training programs offered by Reo. Our training courses cover a range of topics including PVSyst training, AutoCAD solar design training, Helioscope training, and other solar PV design certification courses.
Our solar design courses have been meticulously crafted by experienced solar engineers who possess extensive international expertise in PV design, project development and execution. Drawing from their vast experience, we have developed comprehensive online solar design training courses that encompass practical case studies, international best practices, and innovative solutions for real-world challenges.
Should you have any further inquiries regarding our solar design classes and engineering, our team is readily available to assist you.
