PV SOL Masterclass: Calculate Shading, Self Consumption & String Design for Flawless PV Projects

Discover how Lion Solar uses PV SOL to accurately calculate shading, optimize self-consumption, and simulate battery storage. Flawless string design for maximum profitability of your LSS plant.

The Most Important Insights at a Glance

• Precisely Calculate Shading: Lion Solar leverages PV*SOL combined with advanced 3D modeling to calculate shading even down to microscopic levels. The result: A flawless yield forecast for your investment.
• Optimize Self-Consumption & Battery Storage: With PV SOL, we simulate dynamic energy flows, optimize self-consumption with battery storage and EVs, and maximize your return through peak shaving and grid stabilization.
• String Design & Inverter Selection: Precise string design in PV SOL ensures the optimal selection and dimensioning of your inverter, preventing mismatch losses and securing high long-term yields.

Why PV SOL is the Gold Standard for Your PV Investment

The decision to invest in a photovoltaic (PV) system is a commitment to long-term financial security. However, its success largely depends on the precision of the project design. Especially for Large Scale Solar (LSS) projects or complex commercial rooftops, even minor deviations in yield forecasts can lead to substantial financial losses.

At Lion Solar Solutions, we regard PV SOL not just as a software tool, but as the cornerstone of our quality guarantee. It is the only tool capable of dynamically and realistically depicting the complex interdependencies between module efficiency, microclimatic data, electrical losses, and shading over the entire annual cycle (8760 hours). This results in well founded, auditable documentation that is binding for approval authorities, banks, and investors alike.

Good PV projects are based on facts, not assumptions. The consistent application of PV SOL at the heart of our methodology ensures that every planned system is simulated under real technical and economic conditions, enabling us to precisely predict the Return on Investment (ROI) and payback period.

How can I calculate the shading of a roof or building in PV*SOL?

The shading analysis is the most critical factor for the accuracy of yield forecasts. Every shadow cast whether by a distant tree, a dormer, a ventilation system, or an elevation in the terrain of a ground-mounted system can lead to significant mismatch losses that reduce the entire string’s yield.

Millimeter Accurate 3D Modeling and PV SOL Integration

Conventional 3D planning or rough PV*SOL sketches are insufficient for modern LSS projects and demanding roof areas. Lion Solar employs an industry-leading hybrid method to ensure the highest precision:

1. Advanced 3D Model Creation: The exact topography of the site or the complex structure of commercial rooftops is replicated to a 1:1 scale using satellite and drone imagery, along with specialized 3D software. All potential shading objects from parapet heights to chimneys, adjacent buildings, or terrain edges are integrated into the digital model as highly detailed 3D bodies.
2. Seamless Data Import into PV*SOL: This precise 3D model is then seamlessly imported into PV*SOL premium. The software can thus access a geometrically exact representation of the real environment.
3. Dynamic Shading Simulation: PV SOL uses its integrated Render-a and the geographical data of the site to simulate the exact sun position for every moment of the year (8760 hours). It dynamically calculates which modules are shaded, when, and to what extent.
4. Accurate Shading Factor: The result of this detailed simulation is a highly precise report that quantifies the shading loss in kWh/year exactly. This enables our engineers to rearrange modules, adjust spacing, or plan the targeted use of power optimizers to minimize losses.

Lion Solar Expertise: The application of this advanced 3D modeling guarantees that our PV SOL shading calculation meets the strictest accuracy requirements. This is the crucial difference between an informal estimate and a reliable, bankable simulation basis.

How does PV SOL calculate self consumption with battery storage or an EV?

The integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and electric vehicles (EVs) is essential for maximizing profitability and complying with grid connection guidelines in modern PV systems. PV SOL is the only tool capable of realistically simulating and optimizing these dynamic energy flows.

Dynamic Self Consumption and Load Profile Analysis

The profitability of BESS and the efficient use of EVs largely depend on how well PV generation matches the actual energy demand of the site. PV SOL simulates this according to clear priorities:

1. Direct Consumption: Immediate use of the generated PV power by the site. This is always the most economical option.
2. Battery Charging: Surplus PV power is temporarily stored in the battery storage until the State of Charge (SOC) reaches its maximum. Here, charging cycles and efficiency losses of the storage system are also calculated.
3. EV Charging: The software can integrate EV charging profiles and simulate how surplus PV can be optimally used for charging to minimize grid consumption.
4. Grid Feed-in: Only the remaining surplus power that cannot be directly consumed, stored, or used for EV charging is fed into the public grid.

To maximize accuracy, Lion Solar often imports actual customer load profiles (in 15-minute or hourly increments) into PV SOL. This is particularly important to optimize the autonomy level (independence from the grid) and precisely calculate the dimensioning of the storage system.

Battery Storage Simulation for Peak Shaving and Grid Stability

For large commercial systems and LSS projects, battery storage simulation goes far beyond mere self consumption. Here, the storage system becomes a strategic instrument:

• Peak Shaving: PV* OL simulates the use of the battery storage to cut expensive load peaks in grid consumption. We precisely analyze how large the storage system needs to be to effectively smooth the highest and most expensive electricity consumption peaks throughout the year, thereby reducing grid usage charges.
• Grid Flexibility and Arbitrage: The simulation can model charging and discharging cycles based on variable feed-in tariffs (market price arbitrage). This enables our engineers to define the most economical operating strategy for the BESS, generating additional revenue.
• DC vs. AC Coupling: PV SOL allows for a direct comparison between DC and AC coupling of battery storage systems. Our detailed analysis shows which architecture is optimal for the respective project in terms of system efficiency, battery losses, and investment costs.

How do I properly design strings and inverters in PV SOL?

String design and the selection of the inverter are the electrical heart of every PV system. Errors in this area lead to permanently lower yields, regardless of other factors such as shading. Precise simulation in PV SOL is essential here.

String Design in Detail: Voltage Safety and MPP Tracking

The primary task of string design in PV SOL is to ensure that the voltage limits of the inverter are maintained under all operating conditions from bitter cold to scorching heat:

1. Safety in Cold Conditions: PV SOL calculates the maximum open-circuit voltage of the strings at the lowest local temperature (negative temperature coefficient). This must not exceed the maximum input voltage of the inverter to prevent damage to the device.
2. Efficiency in Hot Conditions: At the same time, the minimum MPP voltage at the highest temperatures (high temperature coefficient) must be above the minimum MPP tracking voltage of the inverter. Only then is it guaranteed that the inverter can reliably find and optimally utilize the Maximum Power Point at all times.

PV*SOL automatically and highly precisely performs these complex, temperature-dependent calculations and immediately warns our engineers of potential deviations or misconfigurations. This prevents costly and annoying performance losses during subsequent operation.

Inverter Sizing and Mismatch Avoidance

• Sizing Ratio (DC/AC Ratio): PV*SOL optimizes the ratio between the installed module power (DC) and the nominal power of the inverter (AC). The simulation shows which ratio (often between 1.2:1 and 1.4:1) offers the lowest clipping losses (when the inverter is “overloaded”) and the longest utilization duration of the inverter.
• Loss Analysis: The software provides detailed reports on all relevant losses arising from cable resistance, mismatch (different currents/voltages within modules or strings), and temperature. This enables Lion Solar to perfectly match the system components before installation, avoiding unnecessary yield reductions.

How can one simulate a battery storage system in PV SOL?

Simulating a battery storage system in PV*SOL is a multi-stage, highly precise process that accurately depicts dynamic energy flows throughout the year. Lion Solar uses this functionality to calculate the optimal storage solution for each project.

Step by Step Battery Storage Simulation in PV SOL

1. Load Profile Integration: The first step is to integrate a detailed load profile of the consumer. This can be a standard load profile, a synthetic profile, or ideally, a real, measured load profile (e.g., in 15-minute intervals).
2. PV Generation Simulation: PV SOL simulates PV generation based on module data, local weather data, and the shading analysis.
3. Storage Selection and Parameters: Selection of the battery storage system from PV*SOL’s extensive database. Parameters such as storage capacity, charge and discharge power, efficiencies (Round Trip Efficiency), and aging behavior are defined here.
4. Operating Strategy Definition: Here, our engineers define how the battery storage should operate:
   • Self-Consumption Optimization: Prioritizing charging during PV surplus and discharging during load peaks.
   • Peak Shaving: Targeted discharge during periods of high electricity prices or peak loads.
   • Grid Stabilization: Provision of system services (e.g., frequency control, reactive power), if relevant.
   • EV Integration: Definition of charging times and capacities for connected electric vehicles.
5. Dynamic Annual Simulation: PV*SOL performs the simulation over the entire year (8760 hours) by hourly or quarter-hourly matching and calculating PV generation, load, storage status, and grid consumption/feed-in.
6. Result Analysis: The detailed report shows:
   • Autonomy Level: How independent is the consumer from the public grid?
   • Self-Consumption Rate: How much of the generated PV power is self-consumed?
   • Battery Cycles: How often is the storage system charged and discharged?
   • Financial Key Figures: Savings through self consumption, revenues through peak shaving or arbitrage.

Lion Solar Advantage: Through precise simulation in PV*SOL, we can determine the optimal size and operating strategy for your battery storage, ensuring the highest profitability and technical reliability.

Lion Solar’s Methodology Your Guarantee for Flawless and Profitable PV Projects

Lion Solar’s engineering excellence is based on a unique methodology: highly precise 3D modeling, coupled with dynamic, financial, and technical simulation through PV SOL.

We offer you the highest level of planning certainty on the market. We eliminate unnecessary losses through precise shading calculation, optimize your self-consumption and battery storage strategy for maximum profitability, and ensure flawless string design and inverter selection. Whether for commercial self consumption, complex LSS requirements, or the integration of EVs our expertise is your success.

Don’t rely on estimates. Trust the proven precision of the Lion Solar Methodology.

Act Now and Secure Your Investment!

Are you ready to start your next LSS or commercial project with zero error rate and guaranteed financial transparency?

Book your personal consultation with Lion Solar Solutions now and request your PV SOL Premium analysis to get the optimal string design and battery storage simulation for your system.

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Talha Erkaslan