The document summarizes updates to HelioScope, a cloud-based solar design software. Key updates include: 1) Adding a spectral adjustment model for CdTe solar modules to account for the effects of precipitable water. 2) Developing a next generation shading engine that calculates diffuse irradiance for each module individually and improves performance. 3) Enhancing the design environment with features like an interactive 3D view, automatic string design, dual-MPPT inverters, and LiDAR integration.

1. HelioScope Updates
May 2017
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2. About
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• Cloud-based software
• Integrates system design and
performance modeling
• Similar math and accuracy to PVsyst
• .PAN file compatibility
• Transposition models
• Cell temp models
• Temp coefficients
• Exception: component-by-component
circuit simulation

3. About
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• Considered bankable by IEs, banks,
owners, and developers
• Residential, commercial, and utility-
scale
• 600k projects to date in 160 countries
• Taught at universities across the world

4. Updates to HelioScope
Performance Modeling
• Spectral adjustment for CdTe modules
• Next generation shading engine
Engineering Process
• Team management & design defaults
• Single line diagram
• Financial integration (Energy Toolbase)
• Standardized shade reports
Design Environment
• Interactive 3D environment
• Field segment heights
• East-west racking
• Automatic stringing based on ASHRAE
data
• Dual-MPPT inverters
• LiDAR
• Faster layout algorithm
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Oct 2016
May 2017

5. Spectral Adjustment
• First Solar Spectral Adjustment
𝑀 ≈ 1.266 − 0.091𝑒1.199 ∙ (𝑝 𝑤𝑎𝑡+0.5)−0.21
𝑀 = spectral shift
𝑝 𝑤𝑎𝑡 = precipitable water
• Default for CdTe modules
• Weather Data - the biggest barrier
– Only 10% of >300k datasets in HelioScope contain 𝑝 𝑤𝑎𝑡
– 𝑝 𝑤𝑎𝑡 calculated from Relative Humidity or Dew Point Temp for majority of datasets
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Image curtesy of Lee, M. et al, PVSC 2015

6. Updates to HelioScope
Performance Modeling
• Spectral adjustment for CdTe modules
• Next generation shading engine
Engineering Process
• Team management & design defaults
• Single line diagram
• Financial integration (Energy Toolbase)
• Standardized shade reports
Design Environment
• Interactive 3D environment
• Field segment heights
• East-west racking
• Automatic stringing based on ASHRAE data
• Dual-MPPT inverters
• LiDAR
• Faster layout algorithm
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Oct 2016
May 2017

7. Next Generation Shading Engine
• Unified math behind several shading
subsystems
• Performance Improvements
– Replaced “infinite-sheds” heuristics
– Calculates diffuse individually for each
module by sampling >200 points across the
celestial vault considering the full scene
• Native C code
– Optimized from the ground-up for the solar
use case
– Fast!
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Image curtesy of
Rehman et al, 2015

8. Standardized Shade Reports
• Accurately model shade without
on-site measurements
• All calculations are module-level
and site-specific
• Meets reporting requirements re
Solar Access, TOF, TSRF
• Approved by incentive authorities
in CA, NY, OR, TX, RI, NJ, and
more
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9. Revised Layout Algorithm
Up to 50x faster computational speeds
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10. Financial Integration with
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11. DEMO
http://help.helioscope.com/article/14-5-minute-overview
https://www.helioscope.com/webinars
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12. Product Roadmap
• Financial and utility rate engine
• Customer-facing proposal tool
• Single-axis trackers
• and many more; see blog.helioscope.com for the latest
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13. Thank you!
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14. Questions and Comments?
Teresa W. Zhang, PhD
teresa.zhang@folsomlabs.com
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