Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSPThe Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP in Halle (Saale) has developed an interactive online tool for the optimal planning and design of rooftop photovoltaic systems on behalf of the Saxony-Anhalt State Energy Agency. The tool enables companies to design their systems in such a way that the solar energy generated covers electricity consumption as efficiently as possible and achieves high solar coverage rates.
When planning commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftop photovoltaic systems, a number of aspects must be taken into account in order to achieve high coverage rates for a given roof area and a representative annual consumption. System size, selection of technology for suitable PV modules and inverters, row spacing, as well as module tilt and orientation play an important role in the economic efficiency of the system.
This is where the tool developed by the Fraunhofer CSP comes in, which was specially designed for PV installations on flat roofs in Saxony-Anhalt, developed within a year, and is now online. The system design enables the automatic design of PV variants for flat roofs, taking into account the building orientation and determining the ideal number of modules. The system modeling includes a highly detailed yield calculation using open-source technology, technical plausibility checks, and a simulation for a “typical” year of PV utilization. Optimization is achieved by automatically determining the best possible system configuration to maximize annual consumption coverage. The graphical user interface offers the choice between standard or individual annual consumption, adjustments by module output, roof area and building orientation as well as the display of annual yields and coverage ratios.
David Daßler, research associate in the "PV Systems and Integration" group and project manager at Fraunhofer CSP, adds: "From the concept phase to the final implementation, we developed the entire tool, including the structure, functionality and algorithms, layout and presentation of results, supported by open-source packages. Our aim was to create a user-friendly and precise tool that supports companies in Saxony-Anhalt in getting started with potential PV utilization for their application and determining the optimal PV system configuration based on their annual consumption".
The calculation takes place in three steps. First, the load profile is uploaded or selected and, if necessary, scaled to the desired total consumption level. Then, the PV modules and the roof area are defined and the simulation is started. To use the tool, it is advantageous to know the total electricity consumption figures (e.g., from the previous year), the size and orientation of the roof area, and the annual load profile. The results are displayed in the form of consumption and generation curves for two possible scenarios and can be exported.
"The new tool is a significant step towards a more sustainable energy supply. It offers companies the opportunity to configure their long-term care insurance systems in such a way that they maximize self-consumption and minimize grid consumption," adds Thomas Micka, Head of the Economy specialist department at the Saxony-Anhalt State Energy Agency.