Methods and systems for determining a photovoltaic system layout
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for determining a system layout of a photovoltaic (PV) system for a site having a site boundary, the method implemented by a design automation computer system including one or more processors in communication with a memory, the method comprising:
- receiving a set of site data for the site, the set of site data including data defining three-dimensional attributes and positions of obstructions located at the site and the site boundary;
applying at least one of a coarse shadow algorithm and a fine shadow algorithm to the obstruction data to determine setbacks and offsets that define negative space where the PV system should not be designed;
receiving a maximum system size definition;
receiving a first selection of one or more module tables;
receiving a layout type designation;
identifying a system orientation;
identifying a system spacing by applying a shade analysis algorithm that simulates shadow effects caused by each row of the one or more module tables;
receiving a layout detail designation;
iteratively applying at least one of a first layout algorithm and a second layout algorithm to determine one or more completed layouts of module tables for the site based on the site data, the first selection of module tables, the layout type designation, the system orientation, the system spacing and the layout detail designation by varying at least one variable not constrained by the first selection of module tables, the layout type designation, and the layout detail designation until the earlier to occur of no additional module tables being able to be positioned within the site boundary and the maximum system size being met, the completed layout including a reduced risk of structural damage to the PV system through the use of local design data;
determining a system size for the one or more completed layouts;
sorting the one or more completed layouts by system size; and
recommending a preferred layout selected from the one or more completed layouts based at least partially on a plurality of user preferences.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computer-implemented method for determining a system layout of a photovoltaic (PV) system is implemented by a design automation computer system in communication with a memory. The method includes receiving a first selection of a system table, receiving a layout mode designation, identifying a system orientation, identifying a system spacing, receiving a layout detail designation, and applying a layout algorithm based on the first selection of a system table, the layout mode designation, the layout mode designation, the system orientation, the system spacing and the layout detail designation.
12 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for determining a system layout of a photovoltaic (PV) system for a site having a site boundary, the method implemented by a design automation computer system including one or more processors in communication with a memory, the method comprising:
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receiving a set of site data for the site, the set of site data including data defining three-dimensional attributes and positions of obstructions located at the site and the site boundary; applying at least one of a coarse shadow algorithm and a fine shadow algorithm to the obstruction data to determine setbacks and offsets that define negative space where the PV system should not be designed; receiving a maximum system size definition; receiving a first selection of one or more module tables; receiving a layout type designation; identifying a system orientation; identifying a system spacing by applying a shade analysis algorithm that simulates shadow effects caused by each row of the one or more module tables; receiving a layout detail designation; iteratively applying at least one of a first layout algorithm and a second layout algorithm to determine one or more completed layouts of module tables for the site based on the site data, the first selection of module tables, the layout type designation, the system orientation, the system spacing and the layout detail designation by varying at least one variable not constrained by the first selection of module tables, the layout type designation, and the layout detail designation until the earlier to occur of no additional module tables being able to be positioned within the site boundary and the maximum system size being met, the completed layout including a reduced risk of structural damage to the PV system through the use of local design data; determining a system size for the one or more completed layouts; sorting the one or more completed layouts by system size; and recommending a preferred layout selected from the one or more completed layouts based at least partially on a plurality of user preferences. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A design automation computer system used for determining a system layout of a photovoltaic (PV) system for a site having a site boundary, the design automation computer system comprising:
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a processor; and a memory coupled to said processor, said processor configured to; receive a set of site data for the site, the set of site data including data defining three-dimensional attributes and positions of obstructions located at the site and the site boundary; receive a maximum system size definition; receive a first selection of one or more tables; receive a layout type designation; identify a system orientation; identify a system spacing; receive a layout detail designation; iteratively apply a layout algorithm to determine a completed layout of module tables for the site based on the site data, the first selection of module tables, the layout type designation, the system orientation, the system spacing and the layout detail designation by varying at least one variable not constrained by the first selection of module tables, the layout type designation, and the layout detail designation until the earlier to occur of no additional module tables being able to be positioned within the site boundary and the maximum system size being met, the completed layout including a reduced risk of structural damage to the PV system through the use of local design data; determine a system size for the one or more completed layouts; sort the one or more completed layouts by system size; and recommend a preferred layout selected from the one or more completed layouts based at least partially on a plurality of user preferences. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Non-transitory computer-readable storage media for determining a system layout of a photovoltaic (PV) system for a site having a site boundary, the non-transitory computer-readable storage media having computer-executable instructions embodied thereon, wherein, when executed by at least one processor, the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to:
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receive a set of site data for the site, the set of site data including data defining three-dimensional attributes and positions of obstructions located at the site and the boundary of the site; receive a maximum system size definition; receive a first selection of one or more module tables; receive a layout type designation; identify a system orientation; identify a system spacing; receive a layout detail designation; and iteratively apply a layout algorithm to determine a completed layout of module tables for the site based on the site data, the first selection of module tables, the layout type designation, the system orientation, the system spacing and the layout detail designation by varying at least one variable not constrained by the first selection of module tables, the layout type designation, and the layout detail designation until the earlier to occur of no additional module tables being able to be positioned fully within the site boundary and the maximum system size being met, the completed layout including a reduced risk of structural damage to the PV system through the use of local design data; determine a system size for the one or more completed layouts; sort the one or more completed layouts by system size; and recommend a preferred layout selected from the one or more completed layouts based at least partially on a plurality of user preferences. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification