News PV*SOL

07.07.2010	*PVSOL Expert is now available in version 4.5 R1: The update includes the following new features: Photorealistic presentation with integrated "Photo Plan" surveying software - by using a photo from the customer and reference dimensions, the respective roof and its planned PV system can be presented photorealistically. The programme can also determine all essential roof dimensions. Addition of many new objects in the 3D visualization: On terrain: bay windows and cylindrical universal objects (e.g. to represent chimneys) In building view: air outlet pipe, shed roof (single or multiple placement), fireproof wall, projecting roof, parabolic antenna, attic, maintenance paths Introduction of the principle of coverable objects: several buildings or dormers can now be covered with PV modules. The following objects can be added to the coverable objects: building, bay, wall, dormer, shed roof, projecting roof. All these objects can be covered with PV modules and shading objects.A maximum of 2 coverable objects may be stacked. New slide-out side menu with tree structure showing inverter configuration and associated functions: by clicking on an element in the structure, the selected part of the system configuration is highlighted and the camera zooms in on it. The side menu can be hidden as required. Diffuse shading is calculated in a new way, from now for each separate PV module. This results in an even more precise yield simulation. Remark:** In exceptional cases simulation results of existing projects might change to a larger extent. Test the demo version of the new PVSOL Expert 4.5 yourself - you can download it free of charge under Downloads. Customers who are already using a previous version of PVSOL Expert can purchase an update in order to move up to the new version. The update prices are listed on our order form PV Updates/Upgrades.

14.04.2010	*PVSOL Expert 4.0 R9** is now available. The release makes a number of fixes to PVSOL Expert 4.0 R8 (released 19.2.10) The following new features have been added since Release 8: PVSOL Expert is now available in a 5-language version – the new languages are: English, French, Italian and Spanish. 3D: new module types. 3D: systems with up to 2000 modules can be calculated. The PV module part load operation calculation has been adjusted. Unbalanced load regulations can now be taken into account. 2D planning: the roof parameters dialogue has been completely redesigned (option: Determine Output from Roof Area) so that any shape of roof with barred areas and PV installation areas can be produced. Flat roof systems can now be simulated with the modules facing in a different direction to the roof.** The Help facility is now in HTML format. New PVSOL User Manuals and additional 3D Manuals are available in all 5 programme languages. The demo version* now includes climate data for locations in all the larger regions of the world: Berlin, Boston, Delhi, Cape Town, Kinshasa, Melbourne, Moscow, Peking, Rio de Janeiro, Rome, San Francisco, Washington DC. Please note Because the calculation of the PV module part load operation has been adjusted the yields for some thin-film modules have changed. Yield reductions of up to 2% or yield increases of up to 4% are possible. Fixes in R8 Improved performance in 3D. Internal data fixes have been made, in particular for inverter configuration selection. The nominal output for the modules is now only calculated in kWp. Net metering can now be calculated with 3D planning. Fixes in R9 2D roof planning: Projects with roof areas that have more than 4 corners can now be worked on after being saved. The default angle for free-standing installations is now zero degrees. The module distance calculation for mounted systems now also functions with large module numbers (maximum approx. 65000). It is again possible to plan a north-facing roof with modules facing south. The module distance calculation for locations in the southern hemisphere is dependent on the solar altitude on 21 June. If an existing project is used as a master and the climate data record is changed, the new solar altitude angle is adopted for the module distance calculation and the module distances are calculated correctly. The software does not crash when a module area is added, even if the start point is within a barred area or other area where it doesn’t make sense to place the modules. When opening projects from Release 7 any existing dormer windows are now saved correctly. In 3D it is again possible to plan systems with up to 6 arrays. The installation file is only 52MB. In case you did not receive Release 9 via the automatic update function, all PVSOL Expert 4.0 customers can install the release PVSOL Expert 4.0 R9 manually over the previously installed Version 4.0x via the following link: http://www.valentin.de/downloads/pvsol/setup_pvsol_expert_4_0_9.exe. The settings in PV*SOL, user-created data records and your projects will remain unchanged.

09.02.2010	*PVSOL is now available in the new Version 4.0*. The following new features have been added: The roof parameters dialogue has been completely redesigned (Option: Determine Output from Roof Area) so that any shape of roof with restricted areas and PV installation areas can be produced. Flat roof systems can now be simulated with the modules facing in a different direction to the roof. Unbalanced load regulations can now be taken into account. The programme now has a modern new look. There are new manuals in all 5 programme languages. The PV module part load operation calculation has been adjusted. For Germany: Pre-defined feed-in tariffs according to the Renewable Energy Act (EEG 2010) are included. Please note: Because the calculation of the PV module part load operation has been adjusted the yields for some thin-film modules have changed. Yield reductions of up to 2% or yield increases of up to 4% are possible. In order to open existing project files more quickly, please copy these beforehand into the new project folder for PVSOL 4.0. The following fixes have been made: The programme can also be started by double-clicking on the project file in Explorer. The nominal output for the modules is now only calculated in kWp. Internal data fixes have been made, in particular for inverter configuration selection. Inverters with more than 4 MPP trackers can now be calculated more quickly. The programme is now even more user-friendly in many areas. Test the demo version yourself - you can download it free of charge under Downloads. Customers who are already using a previous version of PV*SOL can purchase an update in order to move up to the new version. The update prices are listed on our order form PV Updates/Upgrades.

05.11.2009	*Release 4 of PVexpress 3.0 is now available. The following new features are included: The programme is now available in a 5-language version with English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.** EEG (German renewable energy law) 2010 tariffs have been added. Note: Roof sizes of up to a maximum of 180m x 100m can be entered via the Roof Parameters dialogue. However, the number of modules that can be placed on the roof is limited to a total PV output of max. 1000 kWp. The following fixes have been made: Inverter Selection: All data for INV 1 are now correctly shown and calculated in the manual inverter selection function. Roof Parameters: The minimum distance is automatically adjusted if the modules are changed from horizontal to vertical installation. Economic Efficiency Calculation: The graphics shown in the results dialogue now match the graphics in the printout. Component Database: All manufacturer and type references are shown in full. In case you did not receive Release 4 via the automatic update function, you can install the patch PVexpress 3.0 R4 manually over the previously installed version 3.0 x using the following link: PVexpress. You do not need to deinstall beforehand. The settings in PV*express, user-created data records and your projects will remain unchanged.

03.03.2009	The new Release 7 is now available for all *PVSOL 3.0** customers. The following fixes have been made: Taking account of the price change factor in the Italian feed-in payment (correction made) Italian feed-in payment - the energy consumed on-site now also remains constant with degradation Inverters with borderline compatibilty can now be selected without an error message appearing Economic Efficiency Calculation - when investments are entered as not being able to be written off (correction made) French translations in the screens and help texts improved The software now includes a 27 page manual in French. In case you did not receive Release 7 via the automatic update function, you can install the patch PVSOL 3.0 R7 manually over the previously installed version 3.0 x using the following link: : http://www.valentin.de/downloads/pvsol/setup_pvsol_307.exe. The settings in PVSOL, user-created data records and your projects will remain unchanged.

16.01.2009	*Release 2 of PVexpress 3.0** is now available. The following fixes have been made: Projects from Version 2.0 can now be loaded, as the option 'Define Output' is now included Cable length calculation amended The following new features are included: Additional configuration settings are now possible, following the logic used in PVSOL 3.0 The output can now be entered and converted into the number of modules required The last module or manufacturer selected is remembered (preselected data) In case you did not receive Release 2 via the automatic update function, you can install the patch PVexpress 3.0 R2 manually over the previously installed version 3.01 using the following link: http://valentin.de/downloads/pvexpress/setup_pvexpress_302.exe. You do not need to deinstall beforehand. The settings in PV*express, user-created data records and your projects will remain unchanged.

11.12.2008	Release 5 is now available for all *PVSOL 3.0 customers. It includes the following changes: Grid Connected Systems:** In R4 the error message “floating-point division by zero” appeared if an inverter was selected that PVSOL did not consider to be compatible. This has now been fixed. Due to a change in the law, the German EEG 2009 tariff has been extended to include an additional level for PV Systems of 1 MW or more. Net Metering is functional again. Improved texts for Italian feed-in payments Fix to cable losses calculation Stand-Alone Systems:* Fix to battery load efficiency in the database Increased standard value for the lower discharge threshold. The value can now be entered in the Quick Design dialogue. In case you did not receive Release 5 via the automatic update function, you can install patch “PVSOL R5” manually by using the following link: http://www.valentin.de/downloads/pvsol/setup_pvsol_305.exe All settings in PVSOL, your own data and your projects will remain unchanged.

24.11.2008	The new Release 4 is now available for all *PVSOL 3.0 customers. It includes the following new features: Inverter design is now calculated according to the AC Power Rating and no longer with the maximum DC input power. Previously, if the inverter went into overload, the power on the DC side was limited to the DC Power Rating. Now it is the power on the AC side that is limited to the AC Power Rating. This can lead to a re-evaluation of sizing, so that user-created inverters will need to be amended. A corresponding message will appear when the programme is started. It is now possible to calculate the Italian feed-in payment model („Conto Energia“)** A number of small fixes have been made. If you have not yet received Release 4 via the automatic update function, you can manually install the patch referenced PVSOL 3.0 R4 over the previously installed Version 3.0 x via the following link: http://valentin.de/downloads/pvsol/setup_pvsol_304.exe The settings in PVSOL, including user-created data records and your projects, will remain unchanged.

10.10.2008	*PVexpress 3.0 R1 is now available in English and German! The most important new features are: Automatic update facility for regular updating of module and inverter data New inverter configuration selection Automatic configuration can be carried out for two inverter types. Sorting according to the total dimensioning factor provides a clear overview of the criteria for optimisation. Alternatively, up to three types of inverters can be configured by manual selection. Other new features include: Automatic release update. When the programme is started, a check is made via the existing internet connection to see whether a new programme release is available. If so, this will be offered for installation free of charge. The Nominal AC Output has been added to the inverter parameters. The inverter is now sized according to the Nominal AC Output. The Settings dialogue has been extended to include the options Directories, System Check and Update Check. The previous functions User Info, Logo and Programme Language now appear under Programme.** Take a look at the demo version to discover the new features yourself: http://www.valentin.de/index_en_page=downloads!

21.01.2008	For all *PVexpress 2.0 customers, the new programme Release 5 with a corrected climate data selection** is now available. Please download the patch with the reference PVexpress 2.0 R5 via the following link: http://valentin.de/downloads/pvexpress/setup_pvexpress_205.exe You can then install Release 5 over the previously installed Version 2.0 Rx. Please note that you do not need to deinstall beforehand! The settings in PVexpress, user-created data records and your projects will remain unchanged and do not need to be saved before installing the patch.

11.01.2008	For all *PVexpress 2.0 customers, the new programme Release 4** is now available. It includes the following changes: The module and inverter databases have been updated (to include the data received from manufacturers at 6.12.2007) Please download the patch with the reference PVexpress 2.0 R4 via the following link: http://www.valentin.de/downloads/pvexpress/setup_pvexpress_204.exe You can then install Release 4 over the previously installed Version 2.0 Rx. Please note that you do not need to deinstall beforehand! The settings in PVexpress, user-created data records and your projects will remain unchanged and do not need to be saved before installing the patch.

17.12.2007	New Meteosetup with Updated Climate Data for Spain and Greece The measurement period for the new data for Spain and Greece is 1981-2000. In particular, the irradiation data for Spain is considerably higher. Please load the updated climate data 1.0 R14 using the following link: http://www.valentin.de/downloads/weather/meteosetup.exe If you first installed the climate data for your software TSOL Professional, TSOL Expert, TSOL express, PVSOL oder PV*express on 17.12.2007 or thereafter, the climate data you are using is already the latest version, so you do not need to download the file.

25.10.2007	PV*SOL Video Tutorial available now

24.10.2007	For all *PVSOL 3.0 customers, the new programme Release 3** is now available. It includes the following additions and fixes: Help texts in Italian Quick Design, Grid Connected Systems: When selecting inverter combinations, it is now possible to include all the inverters for a particular manufacturer in the search. The module and inverter databases have been updated (to include the data received from manufacturers at 17.10.2007) The Fronius inverters in the stand-alone systems database have been updated The calculation of minimum distance can now also be carried out for north-facing rooves Economic Efficiency Calculation: The standard value for the economic life of the investments now corresponds to the observation period + 1 year The feed-in tariffs can now be sorted by country The Spanish feed-in tariffs have been updated The detailed entry lists in the Economic Efficiency Calculation can now be printed problem fee Changes are now also shown after the Manual Database Update has been carried out The Automatic Database Update has been optimised, so that internet access via a proxy is possible Technical Data Dialogue: The graph for the annual course of irradation now also corresponds, in respect of locations in the southern hemisphere, to the actual entries Roof Parameters Dialogue: The distance between modules can now be greater than 2 m The calculation of the dimensioning factor for system intervers has been fixed MPP trackers for a multistring inverter that are not in use are also no longer shown in the system schematic PVSOL gridcon: The Surplus Feed-in checkbox can be selected when a new project is started If you have not yet received Release 3 via the Automatic Update function, you can download the patch with the reference PVSOL 3.0 R3 via the following link: http://valentin.de/downloads/pvsol/setup_pvsol_303.exe You can then install Release 3 manually over the previously installed Version 3.0. The settings in PV*SOL, user-created data records and your projects will remain unchanged and do not need to be saved before installing the patch.

04.10.2007	*PVexpress 2.0 (R3)** has now been released and, for the first time, is available in a 2-language version (English/German). PVexpress has been developed for use by skilled technicians, sales staff and anyone else who needs a reliable tool to design grid-connected PV systems quickly and precisely. The programme is user-friendly, with just a few clearly laid-out dialogues, allowing each project to be completed easily and reliably. The main programme features are: PVexpress makes it possible to design grid connected PV systems quickly and easily, while the programme checks all physical criteria and threshold values such as output, voltage and current. PVexpress provides a validated yield calculation powered by the tried and tested calculation method used in PVSOL. PVexpress contains over 650 climate data records for locations throughout Europe (customers outside of Europe are sent climate data for the county they are based in). With PVexpress the generator output can be determined through a diagram of the available roof area. Users can enter the dimensions of the roof and cover this with the possible number of pre-selected modules, as well as take into account obstacles such as windows and chimneys. PVexpress produces a simple project report, with clear presentation of all system data and results, as well as a system overview, for presentation to customers. The project report can be printed out and can also be saved in PDF format and sent out by e-mail. A free demo version of PVexpress 2.0 (R3)** is available to download via the following link: http://www.valentin.de/downloads/pvexpress/setup_pvexpress_203.exe

02.10.2007	We have updated the Module and Inverter Databases in *PVSOL 2.6x (to include the data received from manufacturers at 5.9.2007) and a new Release 9** is now available. The new release contains new and updated data as well as data for older products which are shown in the programme as “Not Available”. Please load the patch with the reference PVSOL 2.6 R9 from our website, using the following link: http://www.valentin.de/downloads/pvsol/pvsol_269install.exe You should then install the update over the previously installed Version 2.6x. Please note that you do not need to deinstall beforehand! The settings in PVSOL, user-created data records and your projects will remain unchanged and do not need to be saved before installing the patch.

31.07.2007	We have updated the *PVSOL 2.6 module and inverter databases and prepared a new Release 8. The new release contains a total of 238 modules from the following manufacturers: alfasolar, Biohaus, BP Solar, Conergy AG, Energy Solutions S.A., EPV Energie Photovoltaics, Evergreen Solar, First Solar GmbH, Heckert Solar, heizmann-system-elektronik GmbH, IBC Solar AG, INOWATT Elektro Technik GmbH, Kyocera, Schott Solar, SiG Solar GmbH, Solar Fabrik AG, solarnova Solartechnik GmbH und Co KG, Sunways AG, Van de Loo Solartechnik, Viessmann Werke GmbH It also has 122 inverters** from: Conergy AG, Delta Energy Systems, Diehl AKO, Fronius International, Mastervolt, Oelmaier Industrieelektronik GmbH, Phoenixtec Power Co. Ltd, Power One, SMA Technologie AG, Sputnik Engineering AG, Steca, SunTechnics, Sunways AG New data, updated data and older models, which are marked as no longer available, are included in the databases. Please download the patch with the reference PVSOL 2.6 R8 using the following link: www.valentin.de/downloads/pvsol/pvsol_268install.exe You should then install the new release over your previously installed version 2.6x. It is not necessary to deinstall the previous version first. The PVSOL settings, user-created data records and your projects will remain unchanged and you do not need to save them beforehand.**

15.06.2007	PVSOL 3.0 Release 2* is now available for all *PVSOL 3.0 users. Please load the PVSOL 3.0 R2* patch from our website using the following link: http://www.valentin.de/downloads/pvsol/setup_pvsol_302.exe You can then install this over the previously installed Version 3.0 R1. Please note that you do not need to deinstall beforehand! The settings in PV*SOL, user-created data records and your projects will remain unchanged and do not need to be saved before installing the patch.

01.06.2007	*PVSOL 3.0 is now available in a new design as a Set and in two independent programme modules: PVSOL gridcon 3.0* for grid connected PV systems *PVSOL standalone 3.0 for stand-alone PV systems The programme includes the following new features: 3 different types of systems** can be simulated: Grid Connected System with Full Feed-in or Surplus Feed-in (file ending: .prg) and a Stand-Alone System (file ending: .pra). Automatic import of user-created components from PVSOL 2.6 when the programme is started for the first time. Old projects imported via the menu point File-> Import Project...* Import function for all components and climate data in each Load Dialogue. Quick Design - Grid Connected: Automatic division and configuration of PV modules for up to 3 sub-arrays. The consumption can also be defined for systems with surplus feed-in. Quick Design - Stand-Alone: Dimensioning is according to the usual dimensioning criteria, Period of Autonomy and System Recovery Period. Defining Own PV Modules: The number of cell types has been increased from 3 to 11, based on a corresponding standard part load operation. The user has the option of calculating module efficiency from the module area and the STC parameters. Query whether a module is only suitable for a transformer inverter. If such a module is selected, only transformer inverters are shown in the list of inverters that can be selected. Increase in open circuit voltage prior to stabilisation is queried and taken account of in the system check. As standard, only the modules and inverters that are still available for delivery are included in the list of components for selection. The Internet Update to load new Modules and Inverters has been completely reworked. A daily check for new components can be carried out automatically, if the user wishes. Inverter Dimensioning is now according to the maximum DC input power, taking into account the actual location of the PV system. It is now possible to calculate more than 255 parallel strings. In the integrated Climate Generator MeteoSyn, the units for irradiation and temperature can be selected from a range of commonly used measurement units when viewing or entering the monthly values. A price increase rate can be entered for the feed-in tariff in the Economic Efficiency Calculation (important e.g. for Spain and Italy).

08.02.2007	*PVSOL 2.6 Release 7 is now available for all PVSOL 2.6x* users. Release 7 of the programme PVSOL 2.6 contains 70 updated data records, including 21 new modules from BP Solar, IBC Solar, Scheuten Solar* and Biohaus. A number of modules from Sunways and one module from SunPower have been revised and the older modules from Evergreen are shown as no longer available. The module and inverter data recently available via Internet Update is already included in Release 7.

19.07.2006	PVSOL 2.6 (R6) offers two additional languages for use within the programme: Spanish and Italian.* As the first multi-language version, PVSOL now allows users to select from five languages: English, French, German, Spanish and Italian.*

10.05.2006	A new patch for PV*SOL 2.6 (R5) is now available. The new features are: You can now pre-set the feed-in tariffs in the non-German language versions. The dialogue texts are now even more user-friendly. The language for the programme start is now guided by the Windows’ system language. The calculated distance between the modules in the roof layout facility is automatically adjusted when the climate data is changed.

22.03.2006	*PVSOL Version 2.6 – New Features: The software is now in a 3-language version: English/French/German The databases have been updated The roof layout is more user-friendly The reports can now be exported to MS Word or converted into pdf files Automatic internet updating is now available for the databases There is quicker access to the databases Problems with active virus scanners have been fixed (previously these had caused the programme to run more slowly than usual) When new module data is entered, the temperature coefficient can now be given as a percentage figure Under Options > Settings you can select a default file for the feed-in tariff, so that you can change to new price structures when required The inverter overload behaviour is now accounted for more precisely New Module Data has been included for the following manufacturers: Aimex aleo Conergy AG GSS GmbH HECKERT Hoesch Contecna Systembau IBC Solar AG MHH Solartechnik GmbH Phönix SonnenStrom AG RKG Photovoltaik GmbH RWE Shott Solar GmbH Sanyo Schüco Solar-Fabrik AG Solarwatt SolarWorld AG SOLON Photovoltaik GmbH The Inverter Data** has also been updated for the following manufacturers: Fronius International GH Elektronik GmbH Magnetek KYOCERA Phönix SonnenStrom AG PHOENIXTEC Power Siemens SMA Sputnik Engineering SolarWorld SOLON AG The climate data delivered with PV*SOL 2.6 is now installed in a separate folder, so that the files are available for use with all Valentin Energy Software programmes.

21.07.2005	We have updated PVSOL 2.5`s module and inverter database. Data for the following manufacturers is now available for you: Modules* First Solar GmbH Gaia Solar A S Kyocera Fineceramics GmbH RKG Photovoltaik GmbH Shell Solar GmbH Solar Fabrik AG SolarWorld AG Solon AG Inverters Fronius International GmbH KYOCERA PAIRAN elektronik PHOENIXTEC Power Co Ltd Siemens AG Solutronic GmbH Sputnik Engineering AG SUNWAYS AG The new release also contains a fix for the summary report for stand-alone systems.