Shading analysis: How to Optimize PV Panel Placement

    Overview

    The shading analysis is a powerful tool that helps you optimize PV panel placement by visualizing yearly irradiation loss due to shading. By using this tool, you can:

    • Identify areas with minimal shading

    • Maximize energy production by placing panels strategically

    • Make data-driven installation decisions

    The shading analysis highlights how much sunlight is blocked across different areas of a roof. A lower shading factor indicates that a section of the roof receives more sunlight, leading to higher energy output.

    When to Use the Shading analysis

    The shading analysis is useful when:

    • Planning PV panel placement: Ensure panels are positioned in areas with the lowest shading impact.

    • Evaluating existing installations: Assess whether the placement of PV panels needs adjustments for better efficiency.

    By enabling the shading analysis, you can quickly identify roof sections or individual PV panels that receive less sunlight and adjust placements accordingly.

    Important: Moving PV panels or creating new panel fields will update the shading factor values in real time.

    How to Use the Shading analysis

    1. Enable the shading analysis: Click the  icon to activate the  shading analysis.

    2. Analyze shading impact: Observe which areas of the roof or panels experience shading. The color-coded shading factor visualization highlights areas with the most and least shading, making it easier to determine the best placement.

    3. Optimize panel positioning: If certain roof sections have high shading factors, consider alternative placements to maximize exposure. Panels themselves do not cast shadows in calculations.

    4. Disable the shading analysis: Click the "X" in the control panel, deselect the shading analysis in the toolbar, or switch to another tool.

    5. View only the shading factor values on the roof: Click “Panel opacity” in the toolbar to make the panels and shading factor numbers transparent, allowing for an unobstructed view of the roof.

    Important: Panels mounted on flat roofs do not cause self-shading.

    Additional features within the control panel:

    • View the legend for shading impact values.

    • Move or collapse the control panel.

    • Hide individual panel shading percentages for a clearer overview.

    Data Visualization: 2D vs. 3D Views

    • 2D View: Both the roof and individual panel shading colors are displayed.

    • 3D View: Only the roof colors are visible, allowing a broader shading analysis.

    Published