FAQ (Read only)

When using 3D models, please note the following: File size should be as small as possible, with a maximum of 250 MB. The maximum number of vertices is 500,000 (we recommend a maximum of 200,000 vertices to ensure optimal performance). Textures should not exceed 4096 x 4096 pixels. No perforated or open structures in the silhouette of the 3D model. The higher the complexity of the 3D model, the poorer the performance of PV*SOL, even if, for example, the maximum number of modules has not yet been reached. The following file formats are supported: For models in *.obj format, a *.mtl file and a *.jpeg file must be located in th…

For professional 3D modelling, we recommend the DJI Mavic 3E device. This drone is suitable for smaller and larger objects in normal lighting conditions. For large installations, we also recommend the Yuneec H600 with E45s camera. Smaller drones are only suitable for small objects and only in good lighting conditions and short shooting distances. The camera's CMOS image sensor should be at least 1' in size. The use of the flight pattern app Drone Harmony is recommended. A list of supported drones can be found here. Our partner solarklima e.K. offers expert training on handling the drone, creating 3D models and importing them into PV*SOL premium.

You need consumption data for a calendar year. With 15-minute intervals, you need exactly 35,040 values. "Four values too many" indicates that four zeros were added to the file due to the spring time change. Delete these four rows: Then delete columns A, B, and D. You only need the raw consumption values, without timestamps or column headers, in the first column of the Excel file: The error message "No read permission" appears if the load profile is still open in Excel. You must first close the Excel program (or the file) before you can import the file. Importing a load profile is also explained in our help documentation.

You can simulate your project using a generation load profile (e.g., from a hydroelectric power plant or a wind turbine) with certain limitations. Note that the generation profile must be lower than the consumption at all times. If the hydroelectric power plant generates and feeds more electricity into the system than is consumed, simulation is not possible. The overall profile must not be negative. You can also subtract the hydroelectric power plant's profile from your load profile beforehand in Excel and set the negative values to zero. This could look like this: To import the load profile, you only need the actual consumption values (only the value…

If your climate data is available in hourly resolution (i.e., 8760 values each for temperature, global radiation, wind, and relative humidity), you can import it into our programs by saving it as an ASCII file, tab-separated, with the extension *.dat. The first lines (the file header) must look like this: Line 1: Location name "Vienna" Line 2: Latitude, longitude, altitude, time relative to Greenwich, -30 should remain. 48.11,-16.21,170,-1,-30 Decimal places for latitude and longitude must be entered in minutes, e.g., Vienna 48.1866° => input 48.11. For locations in eastern longitude, negative signs must be used when entering longitude and…

In the Shading/Horizon window, you can import horizon files using the import function. Our software is compatible with the HORIcatcher (Meteotest, Switzerland), Horizon (Energiebüro AG, Switzerland), and SunEye (Solmetric, USA) systems. In 2D planning: In 3D planning:

Your imported load profiles are saved in the file "ConsumptionDb.sdf", which you can find in the following folder: C:\ProgramData\Valentin EnergieSoftware\PVdatabase\Version6.0 To use the imported load profiles on another PC, transfer the "ConsumptionDb.sdf" file to the new PC.

Your favorites are saved in the file "PVSOL.ini", which you can find in the following folder: Documents → Valentin Energy Software → PVSOL Premium 2026: If you want to access your favorites from another device, open the .ini files on both devices and copy the favorites from one file to the other.

Module Count Limitation In the 2D planning of PV*SOL premium and PV*SOL, the number of modules per sub-generator is limited to 100,000. The 3D visualization allows a maximum of up to 7,500 elevated modules or up to 10,000 roof-mounted modules. Area Limitation When planning with the Google Solar API or with a map section from another provider, you are limited to a size of 200 m x 200 m.

For inverter configuration, it is recommended to divide large systems into subsystems, for example, one subsystem per building, per building section, or per inverter. If you need to add or delete modules later, you only need to delete the inverter configuration for the relevant subsystem, not the entire system. To maintain the inverter numbering, we recommend using the "Define Module Areas for Configuration" function. Detailed instructions with screenshots can be found in this article. First, define which modules should be configured together. Select the desired modules of the first module area, right-click on the selected modules, and choose "Add to 'Define Mo…

If you created your string layout manually or with other planning software and want to transfer this layout to PV*SOL premium for documentation purposes, the best way to do this is by using the "Define Module Areas for Configuration" function. First, define which modules should be configured together. Select the desired modules of the first string (for larger systems: the first MPP tracker or the first inverter), right-click on the selected modules, and choose "Add to 'Define Module Areas' dialog." Then, click the "Define Module Areas for Configuration" button. Rename the module area to "String 1" (for larger systems: "MPPT 1" or "Inverter 1"), eithe…

An existing system is to be retrofitted with a storage system. A PV-adjusted load profile with 15-minute values for a full year is available. To take the PV-adjusted load profile (consumption profile minus PV self-consumption) into account, you need to perform two simulations. You model the installed PV system (taking module degradation into account, depending on how long the system has been operating) and use a standard consumption profile stored in PV*SOL that best matches your consumption type. Estimate the annual electricity demand: For the simulation, select the 1-minute time step. In the results, check whether the value "Total consump…

Select the ‘SolarEdge’ configuration option and first pre-select the inverter(s): Then pre-select the power optimizer(s): You can then use the button, which is now active, to generate an automatic configuration proposal featuring SolarEdge inverters and SolarEdge optimizers: For older program versions (up to 2021), a short tutorial video on polystring and power optimizer configuration is available here:

Using the example of a vent that shades two modules (with >1%): First, define a separate module area for the two shaded modules. Ensure that PV modules can be selected individually. Select both modules and right-click to choose "Add to 'Define Module Areas' dialog." Click "Define Module Areas for Configuration." In the "Define Module Areas" dialog: Rename the module area to "Roof Area South - shaded." Import all other modules and rename them to "Roof Area South - not shaded." Click "Configure." Next, in the inverter configuration window, select both module areas and choose "Configure module area…

The module tilt and orientation are influenced by two factors: the tilt of the mounting system and the pitch of the roof. Together, these two tilts determine the resulting module tilt and orientation. This can be visualized as follows: If you were to place a ball on the module surface, it would not roll exactly in the direction of the mounting system due to the two tilts, but would instead roll in the direction of the roof pitch. This is the resulting module orientation. The steeper the roof pitch, the greater the deviation of the resulting module orientation from the orientation of the mounting system. For example, if you have a mounting system facing south on …

Scenario 1: You can connect all modules on two or more roof areas together using the "Configure all unconfigured modules" button: Scenario 2: To configure several—but not all—modules from the same roof area to a single inverter, first select them by holding down the Ctrl key and left-clicking. Then, right-click and select "Configure": Scenario 3: You can also configure multiple module areas on different roof areas together. First, define which modules should be configured together. Select the desired modules from the first module area, right-click on the selected modules, and choose "Add to 'Define Module Areas' Dialog." Use the gray arrow to switch …

On the "System Type, Climate and Grid" page, you can select the "Stand-alone PV System" (with and without a backup generator) system type. Planning stand-alone systems in PV*SOL is based on the SMA Off-Grid Configurator program, which we originally developed for SMA. This program contains the design rules that SMA has specified for us. These rules cannot be changed or deactivated. For example, only systems with AC-coupled battery systems can be planned; DC systems are unfortunately not possible. We understand that these rules may not necessarily apply to other manufacturers and may entail further limitations. For greater flexibility in component selection and improve…

On the "System Type, Climate, and Grid" page, select a system type with a thermal system: After entering information for both consumers (household consumption and heat pump), you can add a second tariff on the "Financial Analysis" page: Now you can assign the corresponding consumer (household consumption or heat pump) to each tariff:

In PV*SOL premium and PV*SOL, please open the tariff database via "Databases" --> "Feed-in Tariffs" or "From-grid Tariffs" and select the "New" icon. Then enter the required data.

No, you must select or create the feed-in tariff for each month of commissioning. The tariff files are updated via the database update.

The feed-in tariff shown in the table or graph changes every year, even if you haven't entered any degradation, because it displays the net present value, not the amount of the feed-in tariff. This means that each year's feed-in tariff is discounted back to its initial value using the interest on capital (current yield). If you want to see the feed-in tariff amount over time without interest, set the capital interest to zero.

The results presented in the project report, such as annual grid feed-in, specific yield, and CO₂ savings, refer to the first full year of operation.

The tenant electricity model is unfortunately not selectable as a balancing/feed-in concept and must be entered/adjusted individually. Assuming that the demand profile represents the tenants' consumption, self-consumption corresponds to selling electricity to the tenants. This can be accounted for through savings by defining a from-grid tariff that corresponds to the selling price to the tenants. The electricity fed into the grid is compensated with a feed-in tariff or via direct marketing. Since the operator may also have to/be able to guarantee security of supply, the generated PV energy may not be sufficient to cover the tenants' demand. In this cas…

No, our PV software cannot calculate costs. Component prices and other costs are not included. You must determine the costs of your planned system yourself. The calculated system price is entered into the profitability analysis and thus forms the basis for the financial forecast. The forms in the "financial analysis" module are pre-populated with sample values and do not represent average or empirical values. You must adjust these to suit your specific project.

On the "Presentation" page, you can export the simulation results using the "Time Series (CSV)" button. Select the desired meteorological data series, and the radiation data in kWh/m² and the outside temperature in °C will be output to a CSV file: On the "Results" page, you can display the same data series for different time intervals in a diagram using the diagram editor: