Manual

PV Manager

Version 1.7 As of: 02/15/2018

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Disclaimer

We worked very carefully to compile these texts and figures. However, we cannot fully eliminate the possibility of

errors. This manual merely serves as a product description and the processes herein must not be categorised as

warranted properties in the legal sense. Editors and authors shall not be held legally responsible for incorrect data

and any consequences this may entail. The data in this manual is subject to corrections. The software described

in this manual is supplied on the basis of the licence agreement to which you must agree upon installing the

software. We assume no liability for any resulting claims.

Copyright and trademark

Windows®, Windows 7®, Windows 8® and Windows 10® are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corp. All

software names and designations contained in this manual may also be registered trademarks of the

manufacturers and must not be used commercially or in any other way. Errors and omissions accepted.

Copyright © 2004 - 2018 IBC SOLAR

IBC SOLAR AG

Am Hochgericht 10

96231 Bad Staffelstein

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1.Table of contents

1.Table of contents .................................................................................................................................................. 3

2. Terms and conditions of use ................................................................................................................................ 6

3. Installation information ......................................................................................................................................... 8

3.1 System requirements (Online Version).......................................................................................................... 8

3.2 System requirements (Offline Version).......................................................................................................... 8

3.3 Access and login – starting the PV Manager ................................................................................................. 9

3.4 Installing Silverlight........................................................................................................................................ 9

4. PV Manager Offline Client ................................................................................................................................. 10

4.1 Installing the Offline Client ........................................................................................................................... 10

4.2 Activate PV Manager Offline Client ............................................................................................................. 13

4.3 Using TrayApp ............................................................................................................................................ 14

4.3.1 Show TrayApp permanently (Windows 7) ............................................................................................ 14

4.3.2 Show TrayApp permanently (Windows 10) .......................................................................................... 15

4.3.3 TrayApp Settings ................................................................................................................................. 16

4.3.4 TrayApp Info ........................................................................................................................................ 16

4.4 Update Software ......................................................................................................................................... 17

.4.5 Synchronization .......................................................................................................................................... 17

4.5.1 Download Weather data sets ............................................................................................................... 19

4.6 Using PV Manager Offline Version .............................................................................................................. 20

4.6.1 Project .................................................................................................................................................. 20

4.7 Locations and Weather data ....................................................................................................................... 21

5. Software structure ............................................................................................................................................. 22

5.1 User data input ............................................................................................................................................ 22

5.2 Enabling the 3D view................................................................................................................................... 23

5.3 Projects structure ........................................................................................................................................ 24

5.3 Software structure overview ........................................................................................................................ 25

5.4 Overview: area navigator and roof navigator ............................................................................................... 26

5.5 Software overview ....................................................................................................................................... 27

5.6 Notes ........................................................................................................................................................... 27

5.7 Settings - Options ........................................................................................................................................ 28

5.8 Settings – Project settings ........................................................................................................................... 29

5.9.1 Project settings – Reactivated Articles ................................................................................................ 29

6. Project ............................................................................................................................................................... 30

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6.1 Project management ................................................................................................................................... 31

6.2 Customer management ............................................................................................................................... 32

6.3 Importing/Exporting projects ........................................................................................................................ 32

6.4 Prices .......................................................................................................................................................... 33

6.4.1 Discounts and markups ....................................................................................................................... 33

6.4.2 Update prices ....................................................................................................................................... 34

7. Location ............................................................................................................................................................. 35

8. Area (area navigator) ......................................................................................................................................... 36

8.1. General Information for Area and Building ................................................................................................. 36

8.2 Creating buildings ....................................................................................................................................... 37

8.2 Trees and external objects .......................................................................................................................... 38

8.3 Create a building using an Image overlay ................................................................................................... 39

8.4 3D view ....................................................................................................................................................... 42

9. Roof drawing (roof navigator) ............................................................................................................................ 44

9.1 Overview and Navigation ............................................................................................................................ 44

9.2 Disturbing objects on the roof area.............................................................................................................. 46

9.3 Roof assignment ......................................................................................................................................... 47

9.4 Creating module areas: ............................................................................................................................... 48

9.5 Editing module arrays.................................................................................................................................. 49

9.5 Determining expansions gaps and distances .............................................................................................. 50

9.6 Shading mode ............................................................................................................................................. 50

9.7 Mounting structure view: ............................................................................................................................. 51

9.8 Statics factors .............................................................................................................................................. 52

9.9 Flat roof planning ........................................................................................................................................ 53

9.9.1 Disturbing objects and attics ................................................................................................................ 53

9.9.2 AeroFix 10-S / AeroFix 15-S ................................................................................................................ 54

9.9.3 AeroFix 10-EW ..................................................................................................................................... 55

9.9.4 Mounting structure AeroFix .................................................................................................................. 56

9.9.5 Ballasting Plan AeroFix ........................................................................................................................ 57

10. Connections ..................................................................................................................................................... 58

10.1 Connection settings ................................................................................................................................... 58

10.2 Roof group ................................................................................................................................................ 58

10.3 Inverter connection .................................................................................................................................... 59

10.3.1 Inverter connection settings ............................................................................................................... 59

10.3.2 Automatically dimensioning the inverter connection .......................................................................... 59

10.3.3 Manually dimensioning the inverter connection ................................................................................. 60

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10.4 Plant communication ................................................................................................................................. 61

10.5 Self-consumption and storage ................................................................................................................... 61

10.5.1 Generation Profiles ............................................................................................................................ 61

10.5.2 Load profiles ...................................................................................................................................... 62

10.5.3 Combine Load profiles ....................................................................................................................... 62

10.5.4 Load profile generator „E-Mobility“ ..................................................................................................... 62

10.6 String connection....................................................................................................................................... 65

10.6.1 Module assignment to strings ............................................................................................................ 65

10.6.2 Cable mode:....................................................................................................................................... 66

10.6.3 Change String names ....................................................................................................................... 66

11. Cabling ............................................................................................................................................................ 67

11.1 DC cabling ................................................................................................................................................. 67

11.2 AC cabling ................................................................................................................................................. 68

11.2.1 Main and Sub-Distribution, Phase distribution ................................................................................... 68

11.2.2 AC Components– edit wiring diagrams .............................................................................................. 69

12. Bill of materials ................................................................................................................................................ 70

13. Presentation .................................................................................................................................................... 72

13.1 Summary ................................................................................................................................................... 72

13.2 Roof drawing ............................................................................................................................................. 73

13.3 Orders ....................................................................................................................................................... 73

13.4 Quotation ................................................................................................................................................... 73

13.5 Bill of materials .......................................................................................................................................... 75

13.6 Inserting plain text ..................................................................................................................................... 75

13.7 Individual applications ............................................................................................................................... 75

13.8 Circuit diagrams and grid application ........................................................................................................ 75

A1 Import and Edit Own Load profiles ................................................................................................................... 76

A1.1 Format specification for PV Manager ........................................................................................................ 76

A1.2 Edit a load profile using MS EXCEL.......................................................................................................... 76

A2. Importing data from the old PV Manager ......................................................................................................... 82

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2. Terms and conditions of use

Please read the following section carefully before using the product. The product features software that is

provided by IBC SOLAR AG to you as customers only.

The following agreement represents a legally valid agreement between you as the owner and IBC SOLAR AG as

the editor.

1. Conditions for use; conclusion of the agreement

If you do not agree to the terms and conditions in this agreement, we would like to ask you not to use this

software and remove it from your computer.

You give your consent to the following terms and conditions by opening the PV Manager start screen (so-called

project screen) or installing the offline client of the program.

2. Rights of use

The PV Manager was developed by IBC SOLAR AG and it is intellectual property protected by copyright. IBC

SOLAR AG is exclusively permitted to apply and defend this right.

IBC SOLAR AG grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable right to use the PV Manager and plan your

customers' PV plants. You have the right to use the PV Manager as part of this agreement as a user on your PC

workstation.

Copying backup files is permitted for the purposes of backups only. It is not permitted to copy software

documents.

3. Excluding other use

It is not permitted to transfer, let, lease or make the software or the software documents accessible to third parties

in any other way unless IBC SOLAR AG has granted its prior consent in writing.

It is strictly prohibited to modify the PV Manager, merge it with other software or use its individual modules for

independent developments.

4. Property of IBC SOLAR AG

Regardless of any changes or adaptations that have been implemented by/for you, the software, software

documents and all parts thereof, all copyright, patents and other intellectual property rights remain unrestricted

property of IBC SOLAR AG.

You shall not be granted other rights for the software or its software documents other than those explicitly granted

as part of this agreement.

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5. Warranty and liability

The technical databases used in the PV Manager for photovoltaic modules, inverters, irradiation values, load

influences as well as additional data has been checked with due care and will be updated and adapted if

necessary. However, we cannot eliminate the possibility of deviations and errors. For this reason, we accept no

liability that the used data is correct and complete. The software is intended as a planning tool and does not

replace detailed planning and calculations. The determined system configuration merely represents one potential

variant and the calculation results are only a forecast. Technical changes and errors accepted.

You agree with IBC SOLAR AG that cutting-edge technology is unable to produce computer software that is

completely free from errors, excludes technical bugs or corrects all errors. To this end, IBC SOLAR AG shall not

assume any liability that the free software is without errors, runs without interruptions, complies with user

expectations, is suitable for certain user purposes or does not infringe any third-party rights.

Use at your own risk. IBC SOLAR AG shall not assume liability for direct or indirect damage or consequential

damage including profits lost (unrestricted), cost reductions that have not been implemented, incorrect

calculations, data loss, increased user costs or other financial loss or malfunctions during software operation. The

above disclaimer shall also apply if IBC SOLAR AG has been informed of the possibility of said damage

occurring. IBC SOLAR AG shall assume liability for losses and damage exclusively in the event of wilful intent or

gross negligence on behalf of IBC SOLAR AG. This disclaimer shall apply with regard to any damage

compensation claims, regardless of their legal reason, including, yet without an applicable restriction of

contractual, pre-contractual claims or claims similar to those specified in the agreement as well as claims arising

from unauthorised actions. This disclaimer shall also apply to all IBC SOLAR AG employees (managers and non-

managerial staff) and all representatives and agents of IBC SOLAR AG tasked with developing, marketing or

supplying the software.

It is the exclusive obligation of the users to ensure that they and all employees have received adequate training

and accumulate the knowledge to be able to install and use the software correctly. IBC SOLAR AG shall not

accept any liability for issues and damage resulting from insufficient software knowledge on the part of the user.

6. Updates

We will inform you about new software updates. Every future update shall be subject to the terms and conditions

of this agreement. Updates of any type require additional login authorisations on the IBC Premium Partner Portal.

IBC SOLAR AG, March 2016

© All rights reserved. Software usage agreement 2006 IBC SOLAR AG – version dated March 2016.

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3. Installation information

3.1 System requirements (Online Version)

Commercially available PC: at minimum 2 kernels, at minimum 2 GB RAM, Internet connection

Internet: Recommended: DSL2000 (2 Mbit/s)

Mobile Internet: UMTS

EDGE connections may cause considerable delays when processing the requests on the server.

Microsoft Silverlight

Minimum screen resolution 1280x1024 pixels

The graphics card must support DirectX.

The 3D representation may be very slow when using older graphics cards. However, hardware support

for the graphics card is required for Silverlight 3D. The majority of computers produced in the past five

years should be able to run Silverlight 3D.

Internet browser supporting Microsoft Silverlight: Internet Explorer, Pale Moon (www.palemoon.org)

3.2 System requirements (Offline Version)

PC or Notebook

At least dual core Processor

4GB of RAM

Min. 8GB of free disc space

64-Bit operating system: Windows 7 / 8.1 / 10 Enterprise or Professional

Internet: min. DSL2000 (2 Mbit/s) or mobile Internet: UMTS

Microsoft Silverlight

Screen resulution at least: 1280x1024 Pixel

3D Supported graphics card

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3.3 Access and login – starting the PV Manager

Go to the Premium Partner portal for the access point to start the PV Manager (Online Version).

Login to the Premium Partner portal using the user name and password you received from IBC SOLAR.

Select PV Manager in the main menu.

Tick the box to accept and confirm the notes.

Click START PV Manager to start the PV Manager.

3.4 Installing Silverlight

You require Microsoft Silverlight to run the PV Manager. If you have not yet installed Microsoft Silverlight on your

PC, a notice will appear upon starting the PV Manager.

Alternately you can check if you may need to install Silverlight by visiting:

https://www.microsoft.com/getsilverlight

Please install Microsoft Silverlight and subsequently restart the browser.

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4. PV Manager Offline Client

4.1 Installing the Offline Client

1. Log on to the IBC Premium Partner Portal using your credentials:

https://en.ibc-solar.de/portallogin.html

2. Download the newest PV Manager Installer at the menue tab PV Manager

3. Unzip the downloaded file

4. Start „PVManagerSetup.exe“ in the unzipped folder

5. Follow the instructions of the installer. If there is any PV Manager application or Installer running, you get

asked to end the session.

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6. Accept the licence agreement to continue

7. Choose the Installation path. We recommend to keep the default path.

.

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8. If there is a proxy server needed to connect to the internet, enter the settings for it. You may ask your Administrator or IT-Technician for the specific settings.

9. The Program gets installed. Please accept the Program to make changes to your computer to finish

installation.

10. After Installation is finished, close all opened Windows and restart your PC.

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4.2 Activate PV Manager Offline Client

With the first start of PV Manager Offline Client, the activation window will show up.

Enter your credentials here.

You may check your Debitor No. in Premium Partner Portal with >My IBC > Open orders or in Online PV

Manager with >Help >Info .

After checking your credentials for validity, you may get a Tray-Notification:

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4.3 Using TrayApp

For using PV Manager, fist start up the tray app.

The IBC SOLAR Icon gets activated in the Notification area.

You may enter the TrayApp menu by right-clicking the IBC SOLAR Logo.

4.3.1 Show TrayApp permanently (Windows 7)

If you want to show the TrayApp permanently, enter „notification area“ in

the windows start menu search field and select the „Notofication Area

Icons“ entry in the control field area.

Select Show Symbol and notifications for the PV Manager entry:

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4.3.2 Show TrayApp permanently (Windows 10)

Enter „notification action“ in the search filed of the start menu and select the

entry “Notification & actions settings”

Set the switch of the PV Manager entry to „On“

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4.3.3 TrayApp Settings

In TrayApp Settings you can switch the interface language

of the TrayApp and edit the entrys for proxy server made

with the installation.

If you are having troubles with data synchronization and

using a proxy server, you may try deactivating “streaming

activated”.

4.3.4 TrayApp Info

In TrayApp info you can check the actual state of the

application. The username, Debitor No. and Licence No. is

shown.

Furthermore you can see the Version number of the installed

application and how much time has passed since the last

synchronization.

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4.4 Update Software

You get an Information if a new Version of the software is

available..

If you have opened a PV Manager Window, please save your

open projects and close the window.

Right-click on the TrayApp Icon and select „Update Software“

from the menu:

In the following dialogue, click „Update Software“ and wait until the update is completed. Then you can close the

dialogue and start using PV Manager.

.

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4.5 Synchronization

With Synchronization the databases between Online- and Offlineversion are adapted. That includes price and

article updates as well as your personal settings, modules, customer data and articles.

After Installation and after a software update you should start a data synchronisation.

We recommend to synchronize data periodically. If you do not synchronize your databases for a specific time, you

get a notification reminder.

Right-click on the TrayApp Icon and select „Synchronization“ from the list.

If you run synchronization for the first time after installation, you need to add at least

one location data set to start the updates.

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4.5.1 Download Weather data sets

Location and Weather data sets are storage sensitive, therefore you may only download the records which are

relevant for your calculations.

Select „Add“ and select Continent, Country and City/Zip code or insert the Coordinates. After choosing a radius

around the location, the ammount of selected records and the filesize is shown.

In the Sync list the download file size is shown. Data sets that have been downloaded already are marked with 0

MB

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4.6 Using PV Manager Offline Version

The Offline Application has basically the same functions as

Online Application.

To use Offline Application, start the TrayApp first. You will

get an information that webserver is ready.

You can now start the Workiing window by double-clicking the tray app logo or right-click->Start PV Manager.

4.6.1 Project

New projects in offline application are saved local, even if you are connected to the Inernet.

Use the Project Sync function to

exchange a project between online and

offline applcation.

The actual state of the Project is shown

with symbols and different colours in

Project Management.

Grey – Project not existing

Red – older Project version

Green – newer Project version

Select the project you want to transfer to another version and select Syncronize Project

The Project-Sync diaologue opens up and you can transfer the project to

online/offline application with the arrow keys.

If there is already a project version at the target, this version gets overwritten.

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4.7 Locations and Weather data

In Offline Application only the explicitly downloaded weather records are available I

If you insert a Location, the next available Weather Record gets selected automatically. It may be possible that

this data set is located very far from your location. Please check the distance to the next weather record and

download an additional data set if necessary (See 4.5.1 Download Weather data sets, S.19 for details).

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5. Software structure

5.1 User data input

Complete the user data after having successfully started the PV

Manager for the first time. The user data is required to place orders

and for printouts.

Select the User data menu bar of the Management section. Please

enter your data completely and click Save to confirm.

For some printouts an additional banner

can be used (If no banner is set up, the

logo will be used instead for those

printouts)

If you want to assign specific user data to

the PV Manager user, select Options in

the menu bar of the Settings section.

Specify the Standard user used on the

printout in the Project menu to assign

the printout configuration for the user you

are currently logged in with.

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5.2 Enabling the 3D view

Users must enable the 3D view on the PC prior to using it in the PV Manager for the first time. Microsoft Silverlight

requires the user's consent to use the 3D view and access the graphics card driver.

Click the 3D view icon:

The following message appears in the 3D view: "Render Mode: Unavailable Reason: Security Blocked"

in conjunction with a blue screen.

Right-click the blue screen.

Select Silverlight.

Select the Authorisations or Permissions tab.

Select http://de-pvmanager.ibc-solar.de:80 and authorise access.

Click OK to confirm

Restart the PV Manager.

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5.3 Projects structure

The chronological structure of the menu bar is a simple way of guiding your through the software.

You can only click continue in the software once a dialogue has been completely processed and you have been

granted access to the next menu item.

Fully processed menu items are indicated by a green tick , faulty or incomplete menu items are clearly

highlighted by a red cross .

In the event of subsequent changes, for instance when adding an additional building or roof, you must additionally

create the circuits for said building or roof. In this process, all menu items are highlighted using an orange circle

.

Please click Save to transfer the data to the server after having processed a menu item. You must save after

having processed each menu item. The system will prompt you to save should you fail to do so.

Click Reset to reset the project to the conditions applicable before you last saved. All data entered since the last

time you saved is reset to its original condition.

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5.3 Software structure overview

The Menu bar features general settings for the software and project, data management and dimensioning tools.

The Main menu guides you through the software step by step.

Sub-menus are shown as required.

Notes and error messages: faults are highlighted in red and require special attention, blue messages indicate

notes on the current project planning.

The Plant size shows the overall power and number of modules within the project.

All functions, such as save, reset, create building, zoom, etc. are shown in the Tool bar.

The Input bar is located on the right-hand side in the Area menu item (not shown).

Hover over a button with the cursor in the PV Manager to show a description.

Sub-menus

Plant size

Notes and error messages

Main menu Menu bar

Tool bar

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Compass rose

Selection

Notes

Object list

Scene

Input list

Object image

5.4 Overview: area navigator and roof navigator

Compass rose: always deactivated in the area, as the area is always oriented towards the North (top).

Selection: click an object in the object list to select it and click again to deselect it.

Object list: select buildings, trees and external objects.

Scene: shows buildings and objects within the project.

Input list: data input for the selected object.

Object image: shows an image of the selected object.

Notes and error messages: faults are highlighted in red and require special attention, blue messages indicate

notes on the current project planning.

Compass rose

Object list

Tool bar

Selection

Object selection

Input bar

Notes and

error messages

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5.5 Software overview

The first menu item (Project) opens automatically upon starting the PV Manager. In this section, you can open

existing projects or create a new project. You can save customer data in a list to subsequently select this data for

the current project.

In the Location menu, users can specify the location where the plant is to be planned. Any associated,

geographical data and weather data records are automatically assigned to the individual location. For this

purpose, data on locations on 5 continents is available.

In Area, buildings are illustrated with external objects. In this section, the roof is planned with brackets and

modules using the roof navigator. A 3D view enables a realistic view of the scene using an irradiation and shading

simulator

The Circuit connects created module areas with the selected inverter combinations. Select and edit additional

components for data communication and storage systems in this section.

Go to the Cabling menu item to optimise DC and AC wiring. Calculate the most economically viable cable

diameters in this section or select components for AC cabling.

A Bill of materials is automatically created from the components used. In this section, items are added or prices

are changed manually.

The Presentation section features all results and circuit diagrams as PDF files to print. You can print summaries

or customer related documents like quotation, order confirmation, invoice . You may also directly order from the

IBC SOLAR shop in this section.

5.6 Notes

The PV Manager features this information button:

Click the button to open a pop-up window containing information on the corresponding functions.

Tool tips are shown for buttons without text. Hover the mouse cursor over the button to display them.

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5.7 Settings - Options

Many default values can be set up for most interfaces. The settings are valid for the user you are logged in to the

PV Manager at the moment.

Project

If you want to share all new projects with all accounts of your company, activate „Set project approval internal) for

new projects”

Standard user – is used for the printouts. The configuration of Standard Users can be done at Management ->

User data

Contact – Name of contact person for your customer. Will be printed on the proposal

Operator – technical planner, is printed at the technical drawings

Area– define default values for modules and mounting systems. For the selection of mounting components only

one selection for each type is possible and will be used if a roof associated to the selected components is drawn.

Cabling

DC Cabling – Define calble lengths, cross-sections and colours. The default values are calculated when you

open a group in DC Cabeling.

AC Cabling- Configure the settings for AC cabling and sub menus. Those settings influence the electrical

printouts.

Presentation - Profitability

Complete profitability report – a classic report which contains tables and values to every operation year. You

may skip some pages by unchecking the selection box.

Short Report / Self consumption report - a short version of profitability calculation with 3 pages. Contains

important key figures.

Cover Settings – You can isert a picture / logo to the cover page (jpg, png) e.g. your companys logo or a 3D

View.

Cover texts – The texts that are printed on the cover page. 3 Text lines are available and can be configured

individually. There is also a possibility to inser dynamic fields by inserting numbers with curly brackets as

following:

{0} = Nominal power

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{1} =Commission

{2} = City

{3} = PV Generator / Moduletype

5.8 Settings – Project settings

Select options for the project you are working on at the moment. The settings cover basic options as Value added

Tax and copper prices as well as sales margins. See 6.4.1 Discounts and markups, S. 33 for further Details.

5.9.1 Project settings – Reactivated Articles

Some Articles (modules and inverters) that are no longer listed at IBC Solar’s price list can be activated and used

within the current project and tools.

Please check the Bill of Materials if

using a reactivated article, as some

dependent article, like Module clamps

and fuses may not be calculated

correctly. Prices for reactivated

articles are no longer valid and

reactivated articles are not listed in

Orders or the Product Shop.

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6. Project

You can create a new project in the first menu item. Click to open a project or export

and import projects for back-up purposes.

Manually enter data, such as project number, consignment, address, contact person and executing person if you

would like to create a new project. Click to select the current customer.

Start by selecting a customer and click the button in the centre of the project data to transfer the data from

Current customer.

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6.1 Project management

Click the button to open the list of saved projects.

Load, copy, delete or release old projects in this section.

Click the desired project and then click Apply to load the project.

You also have the option of sharing projects with employees within your company and

with IBC SOLAR AG employees for support using said buttons.

The button deletes all releases (internal and support).

Highlight an existing project and click the button to copy it. Project copies can be identified by the

number "/001" as a suffix to the project number.

Always release a copy for project releases for IBC SOLAR AG support to maintain your original project.

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6.2 Customer management

Click the button to open the database with the saved customer data.

In customer management, you can add new customers to the list, edit existing entries and select the client for the

current project.

Click Import to reuse customer data from the old PV Manager in the new PV Manager. Please refer to Section 0

A2. Importing data from the old PV Manager for more information on how to import old data.

Click Export to compile all customers in a text file and save this list locally on your PC.

6.3 Importing/Exporting projects

Click the and buttons to save your projects in a specific location for external

backup.

Click the Import button to reimport said projects as well as colleagues' projects.

Exported projects are encrypted and may only be reopened with your user account. This ensures your data and

your customers' data is secure.

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6.4 Prices

6.4.1 Discounts and markups

With your personal login, you automatically get your own prices and discounts from our daily updated database.

You can set up sales markups to your buing conditions to get an complete project calculation. To set up the

margins, go to Premium Partner Portal and navigate to PV Manager > Sales markup

The margins you edit here are used for every new project in PV Manager.

After a project has been saved, the markups for this specific project can be set up with >Settings>Project

Settings>Selling margins

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6.4.2 Update prices

Load a saved project and click in the projects menu to check and (if necessary) update the prices

of items used in the loaded project. In this process, the bill of materials is re-saved and old prices are overwritten.

As a result, the project is now up-to-date again. If the button is not accessible, the prices are already up to date.

An error message appears for products that are not within the IBC SOLAR AG range.

In this case, please verify your project's items with the current price list.

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7. Location

In the Location menu item, click the Continent, Country and Location selection boxes to define the desired

location of the PV plant. In addition to a comprehensive European database, the system also features data on

locations in Africa, Asia, North and South America. Enter the post code or name to select German locations.

The Geographical data, such as

longitude and latitude, the sun elevation

angle on 21 December at 12 am as well

as the altitude above mean sea level are

shown for the selected location.

The system also shows the nominal snow

load on the ground as well as the wind

pressure for locations within Germany.

Please enter the values for nominal snow

load and wind pressure if you have

selected a location outside Germany.

Select the Terrain category to be able to

select the corresponding statics

calculations. There are four different

terrain categories:

Terrain on waters (I): open sea, lakes with a minimum of 5 km of free space in the direction of the wind, smooth,

flat landscape without obstructions

Agricultural area (II): terrain with hedges, individual agricultural buildings, buildings or trees, e.g. areas for

agricultural use

Suburb/industrial estate (III): suburbs, industrial or commercial estates, forests

Urban area (IV): urban areas in which a minimum of 15% of the area is covered with buildings with an average

height in excess of 15 m

If the building is located on a crest or hilltop, define this in Exposed locations. To do so, select the corresponding

settings from the drop-down menu and enter the dimensions.

Please determine the wind pressure and nominal snow load separately for locations outside Germany and

locations at altitudes of over 1100 m above sea level. Enter the values in kN/m² or m/s to do so.

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8. Area (area navigator)

8.1. General Information for Area and Building

In the Area menu, you can individually plan buildings, roof surfaces and disturbing objects. The 2D view (view

from top) of the scene is shown initially. Place different buildings and objects on the area to perfectly plan the

plant including all shading areas.

The Area tool bar features the following symbols:

Click Full screen to show the scene in full screen mode so you have a larger drawing area available.

Click Quick roof dimensioning , enter the roof dimensions and the building will be placed in the scene

automatically.

Click the Diagrams symbol to open a window featuring side elevation from the left, front elevation and a plan

of the currently activated building.

Click to access the 3D view of the scene.

Compass rose

Selection

Notes

Object list

Scene

Input bar

Object image

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Click Zoom in and Zoom out to change the zoom. Click Show all to show the entire scene at a

glance. Click Zoom for selection to zoom in on an individual building or object.

Use the Arrow buttons to move within the image and show other areas of the scene.

The following keyboard shortcuts will facilitate navigation across the area:

Roll the mouse wheel up or down to move the perspective in the corresponding direction.

Press and hold Shift and roll the mouse wheel to move left or right.

Press and hold the Alt button and roll the mouse wheel to zoom in or out.

The input bar shows the input fields of the correspondingly highlighted object. Left-click

objects to highlight them or select objects from the drop-down menu in the input bar at the

top.

Tip: if you are unable to find an object in the scene, search for it using the drop-down list in the input bar.

The red lines in the tapelines (unit of measurement: metres) at the top and on the left show the current cursor

position.

8.2 Creating buildings

Select buildings from the object list and position them on the

scene.

Use the button (Quick roof dimensioning) to create a

roof. In this process, the software creates a building with

symmetrical roofing according to the roof dimensions.

The Object list shows available building shapes. After having

selected a building shape, the cursor shape in the drawing

area changes to a cross and you can position the building in any vacant area

by clicking and holding the left mouse button to expand the object.

Determine the position and orientation as well as building width, length and

height on the Input list on the right, in Position and size.

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In the next step, select the roof shape in the Roof section. The following roof shapes are available: pitched roof,

shed roof, hip roof, butterfly roof

A further part of the dialogue expands after the roof shape has been selected.

In this section, enter the Roof covering and the dimensions of individual roofs.

Please enter values for the roof inclination, roof width and roof projection.

Please enter the dimensions for purlins and rafters in the Sub-design dialogue.

Untick the distance box and the dialogue will switch to quantity so you can define the number of rafters and

purlins. You may now enter the distance between purlins and rafters and their quantities. The PV Manager will

now evenly distribute the sub-design on the roof.

8.2 Trees and external objects

Trees and external objects are defined in the same way as with buildings. Select the object in

the Object list on the left. The cursor shape changes to a cross after having selected an

object. Now click and hold in a vacant area to expand the object.

Now define the position and object size in the Input list on the right. The input list with the

corresponding project sizes changes depending on the correspondingly selected object.

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8.3 Create a building using an Image overlay

With the „Image Overlay“ function, you are able to blend a half-transparent photography or roofdrawing into the

drawing area of the PV Manager. You can retrace the outlines of the building or place obejcts on the correct

positions on the roof easily.

Suitable images are roofdrawings like CAD plans, photos and

satellite images. It is necessary to have a nearly vertical top

view to retrace the outlines without distortion.

Supported file formats are:.jpg and .png

You can find the “Image Overlay” function in the left menu bar

under “Tools”

8.3.1 Example: Use a picture from Google Earth:

Search the location of the building in Google Earth an zoom into the building closely.

Use the „look around“ arrows to allign the roof view vertically.

Capture and save the finally arranged image with a screen shot or the Snipping Tool.

Now you can open the saved image with the Overlay tool.

Perspectively distorted image after zooming in. With „look around“ perspectively corrected image

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8.3.2 Insert Overlay in PV Manager

Draw a new Image Overlay from the menu on the left to the area and select „load Image“ in the overlay controlls

menu on the right or double click the overlay area.

Select the locally saved image file and open it.

8.3.3 Settings of the Image overlay

The Overlay image menu can be accessed any time in the

DropDown selection, where all objects that are placed within the

area, are accessible.

You can edit the Image overlay to adjust the view and recognizabillity

with the slide controls like transparency, brightness and contrast.

If you activate “embed” the image is fixed in the area, and position and

scale can’t be edited directly. The selection of the embedded image is

only possible throuhg the dropdown selection.

8.3.4 Adapt the scaling of the image overlay

To adapt the size of the image according to a known dimension

of the building, you can open the „adapt image scaling“ submenu

with the button. The scaling of the image can be set to a

measured length within the picture.

To do so, draw a scaling line into the graphic and enter the

actual length of the reference line. With „OK“ the Image is scaled

to the reference and you can redraw the buildings contours to

get the right building dimensions.

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8.3.5 Redrawing the buildings contours

After the image is set up and scaled correctly, you can redraw the building.

Select the Polygon flat roof from the „Buildngs“

toolbar on the left and start drawing along the

contours of the building. To complete the

polygonal form, right-click and select “finish

polygonal building”

Don’t draw the last line as the line is connected

automatically from the starting point to the last

point when finishing the building.

8.3.6 Edit the roof drawing with an image overlay

If you have used an Image overlay to create the building, the picture details of the roof area are copied into the

roofdrawing automatically.

Alternately you can also set up an image overlay inside the roofdrawing area. The identical function is placed in

the tools bar on the left menu.

Existing image overlays are accessible through the Dropdown selection on top of the right menu.

An additional transparency slider is placed at the bottom of the

roofdrawing window. Use this slider to adjust the transparency

of the PV Manager roofdrawing, including all objects placed on

it.

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Now you can easily redraw the objects on the roof. Identical objects can be copied and pastet with “Ctrl + C” ->

“Ctrl + V”

The copied objects are placed at the actual mouse position within the roof.

8.3.7 Print the Image Overlay

Any overlay which is visible within the

roofdrawing area can be printed in the module

array printout. Select the printout options and

activate “Print overlay image”

8.4 3D view

This function must be enabled in user management for sub-accounts.

The 3D view simulates shading caused

by objects, such as trees, buildings or roof

objects on the basis of the time and date

entered. Like in the 2D view, a compass

shows the orientation of the scene.

Use the mouse to turn the scene and

view objects from all sides. To do so,

click and hold the left mouse button and

move the mouse. Move the mouse downwards to tilt the scene and view the environment from the top. Move

the mouse upwards to tilt the scene in the other direction. Move the mouse to the left or right to rotate the

scene. The compass also moves to show the current orientation.

Roll the mouse wheel to zoom in or out. You can also navigate the view using the arrow buttons on your

keyboard.

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Date and time of the scene are shown in the top right of the 3D view.

The current date and time is shown as standard. However, users may enter any date and time.

Click to start the shading animation and the progress of sun and shade is shown in fast-forward mode. The

animation starts at the set time. Click the button again to stop the animation. Click the Reset animation symbol

to reset the time to the value that was set last. If you are currently running a shading animation, it

will restart with the new start value.

Click Show start point to show the start point for the calculation of sun parameters. Click Close to quit

the 3D view and re-open the area representation of the scene.

Information on shading animation, sun parameters, azimuth angles and solar altitude angles is shown below the

tool bar.

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9. Roof drawing (roof navigator)

9.1 Overview and Navigation

Click the symbol in the roof area input bar to access the roof drawing of the currently selected roof.

Double-click the corresponding roof area to access the roof drawing (module assignment).

The Roof drawing tool bar features the following symbols:

Click Zoom in to zoom in on the roof area and identify details more easily.

Click Zoom out to zoom back out.

Click Show all to show the entire roof area at once.

Click Zoom to selection to zoom in on individual roof objects and show them in the entire window.

Use the Arrow buttons to move within the position and view other areas of the roof.

Click Automatic module assignment to open the dialogue and assign modules to the roof.

Compass rose

Object list

Tool bar

Selection

Object selection

Object list

Notes and

error messages

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Click Add modules to add modules to modules that have already been positioned.

Click to delete selected objects only.

Click to delete all modules.

Select modules individually or click Select all modules to select all modules at once.

Click Deselect all modules to deselect all modules.

Click Show grid to place a grid over the entire roof area, from the perspective of the currently selected

module. Vacant positions for modules feature green borders. Double-click a vacant grid line to position modules.

Double-click any modules you have already positioned to remove them.

In Relocation mode you can move modules horizontally , vertically or individually .

Click Determine distances to open a dialogue to specify maintenance paths, expansion gaps and rail

connections.

Click Show borders to show the edges and corners of the roof in the roof drawing.

Click Show sub-design to show or hide the sub-design in the roof drawing.

Click Show mounting structure to show the roof mounting structure.

Click Shading mode to simulate the shading caused by roof objects either as momentary shading or as

monthly shading.

Click Statics factors to show static load factors of the fasteners and carrier profiles.

The Show tool tip icon is activated as standard. Click to deactivate it. If

it has been activated, hover the mouse cursor over a module or button to

show additional information.

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9.2 Disturbing objects on the roof area

You can access various disturbing objects in the roof drawing. Select these from the object list. Disturbing objects

allow you to define fields. The software does not position modules on areas with disturbing objects during

automatic module dimensioning.

In the same way as with the processes in the building drawing, select an

object and press and hold the left mouse button to expand it on the roof in

the designated position.

You can subsequently enter the exact position by entering coordinates in

the input field that relate to the bottom left corner of the object. Enter the

corresponding dimensions to define the object precisely.

Tip: please observe the reference point (highlighted in colour) when positioning objects:

Sections: right-angled triangles and rectangles are available as shapes. You may also define

skylights. Disturbing objects in the Section area have not been assigned a height and hence

they do not produce shading. Said disturbing objects block the area for module assignment.

Chimneys: the Chimney object group allows you to select from rectangular and round

chimneys as well as smoke extraction and heat dissipation systems.

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Dormers: dormer windows are available as pointed dormers, shed dormers and gable dormers.

Additionally available roof objects: cuboids, cylinders, solar collectors, parallel roofs, walls.

9.3 Roof assignment

In order to assign modules to the roof, you must initially pre-select the mounting system and module types used.

To do so, select the following in the input list.

All potential input in this section depends on the previous settings. Depending on the roof shape you can select

the corresponding mounting systems. Gable roofs, for instance, are not suitable for IBC AeroFix systems. These

dependencies are based on the limits of mounting systems and legal framework conditions.

Tip: click a vacant area on the roof to show the input fields for roof assignment. The corresponding objects' input

fields appear as soon as you select disturbing objects.

Start by selecting the Mounting system and the Modules. The

width and depth of the selected module are shown automatically. In

Module orientation, select whether the modules are to be

installed vertically or horizontally. In a next step, select the

Mounting system with a single or double layer. In Fasteners

select the desired roof hooks and the mounting system colour. In a

final step, select the Profile.

You can start roof assignment once you have completed all module

assignment settings.

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9.4 Creating module areas:

In the next step, select the Automatic module assignment .

The Number of modules within module array section is preset to Fully assign roof – maximum number of

modules. As an alternative, you may also specify a fixed number of column and rows. For this purpose, click

Number of columns/rows and enter the values accordingly.

In Module array position you may specify whether to assign the roof symmetrically or starting from a certain

point. If you would like to specify a starting point for the module array, select the direction from which to assign the

roof from the drop-down menu.

For instance, if you select Start from top left, the specified starting point is the top, left-hand corner of the

module array.

You may subsequently define the Border area for objects to which no modules have been assigned. The default

setting is 30 cm on each side to the edge of the roof.

Please tick the corresponding box if you would only like

to position modules within the Standard area. The

Standard area is defined as per DIN 1055-4 and

describes the part of the roof that is not part of the

border or corner area. Said areas must be considered

separately due to increased loads caused by wind

suction. The border area as per DIN 1055-4 must not

be confused with the border area that is specified by

users (area where modules must not be placed).

The bottom part of the dialogue features the Determine

border and Place module array radio buttons. Place

module array is selected by default.

To place new modules, leave these settings as they are

and click the OK button.

Click Determine border to delete all modules from the roof and define the input values as borders. You cannot

place modules on the borders.

Tip: please define the border first as it will not be possible to change it without deleting the module assignment at

a later point.

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9.5 Editing module arrays

You can now move the module array or individual modules, delete shaded modules or add modules.

Highlighting modules:

highlights all modules.

deselects all modules.

Left-click individual modules to highlight them.

Press and hold the CTRL key to select several individual modules. Select a module you would like to

highlight. Press and hold the CTRL key and left-click further modules. This will (de)select each module

you click.

Press and hold the Shift key to select an entire module array. To do so, select a module, such as one in

the top left-hand corner, press and hold the Shift key and select the module in the bottom right-hand

corner.

Adding and removing modules:

Press the Del key on the keyboard to delete the highlighted module.

Select the module and click Show grid ; double-click the module pattern of the roof to add or delete

modules. Click the button again to quit the grid function.

Select the module next to which you would like to add further modules. Click Add modules: . Com-

plete the dialogue in line with the direction and quantity.

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9.5 Determining expansions gaps and distances

In Determine distances you can specify whether you

would like to take into account Maintenance paths. These

facilitate repairs and maintenance work on the photovoltaic

system. If you do not intend to install maintenance paths,

you must consider Expansion gaps for larger plants due to

thermal material expansion characteristics. The preset

distance between two maintenance paths or expansion gaps

is 3 profile length. If you chose a profile with 5,20m length, a

seperation is set after 15,60m.

In the bottom part of the dialogue you can specify the

distance between module arrays up to which the rails can be connected.

9.6 Shading mode

Now select Shading mode to check whether there are shaded modules to determine which modules to

remove from the roof.

Some roof objects, such as chimneys, may cause module shading.

Since shaded modules reduce the output of the entire array, you must

make sure to exclusively assign areas without shading.

In the shading dialogue you can choose between current shading and

monthly shading.

If you choose current shading, additionally select the date and time to

create the shading pattern at the specified time.

The monthly shading creates several shading patterns on the 21st of the

selected month.

The minimum solar elevation above the horizon removes the shading below the set

angle to exclusively show important shading.

Change the calculation interval to make colour transitions more/less precise.

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Tip: select a calculation interval of 15 minutes and remove all modules that project into the dark blue area.

The progress of the solar altitude angle is illustrated by a colour sequence. Use the legend to match the solar

elevation angle to a colour shade. Light colour shades, such as yellow or green show shading in the hours of the

mornings and evenings when the solar elevation is low. Dark colour shades illustrate shading at mid-day when

the solar elevation angle is high.

9.7 Mounting structure view:

In a further step you can Show the mounting structure . The mounting structure view shows the mounting

structure with the mounting points. You can enlarge the carrier rails here.

Start by selecting a module array. A module

array always consists of modules that make up

a rectangle. The input bar shows the

corresponding options to enlarge and the

associated overhang of the module array.

In the example below, the overhang totals a

length of 619 mm. You would have to extend

the carrier profile to the right.

Tip: to revoke overhangs, remove a module

and subsequently add it again.

Error messages will indicate if you have

removed all overhangs. In this case, the

system reports that the maximum overhang of

400 mm has been exceeded.

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9.8 Statics factors

The Statics factors sections shows the

static load factor of the fasteners and carrier

profiles. They are influenced by the

location's and roof's characteristics and the

fastener design. It is important to edit any

excessively large overhangs. Excessive

overhangs considerably increase the statics

values of the carrier rails.

Values must be below the dimensioning limit

of 100%. The affected values will be

highlighted in red upon exceeding this limit.

Use the rotary fields to set each rafter, purlin

or high-bead at which to attach fasteners.

In the associated roof drawing the roof is shown separated into standard area, border area or corner area as per

DIN 1055-4.

You may try to skip some fastening points by

editing “use of ervery n. rafters” for the

different roof areas and check if the resulting

statics values are admissible.

In this example you can use every 2nd

fastening point in the standard area H, but not

in border area G.

Close the roof navigator and return to the

area to save your progress.

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9.9 Flat roof planning

9.9.1 Disturbing objects and attics

With flat roofs you may use similar disturbing objects as with hip roofs. Dormers are not avilable.

Attics are available as additional object which might be helpful for your project.

You can insert an attic with the button: in the roof navigator button zone.

You can define either an circumferential attic or a specifc

attic for each of the four roof sides.

The inserted attics are shown as “Wall” in the objects

dropdown with the defined height and width. They can be

selected and edited afterwards:

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9.9.2 AeroFix 10-S / AeroFix 15-S

Module view

The white line on the Modules indicates the bottom part of the

modules

Pick of modules

Only specific modules are shown with the AeroFix monting systems. Criterias if the modules are

available are: Module dimensions and the approval of the module manufacturer for AeroFix systems. (If

you use own modules, only the dimensions are checked.) Please check AeroFix Mounting instructions

for details.

Coefficient of static friction

Depending of the roofcovering, a default value is used for the coefficient. To get better results for

ballasting, you may enter measured values here. Please check AeroFix Mounting instructions for details.

Module distance to the attic

If you enter any distance here, the Modules are placed with a specific distance to all attic walls,

irrespective of the defined margin areas.

Orientation

You may enter any orientation on the roof. It is recommended to use any orientation with a direction

parallel to the roof edges.

Row distance

The row distances of any AeroFix system is optimized for aerodynamic and shading issues. You may

vary the default value by ±10%.

Setting angle

The setting angle of the system is determined by the used mounting system (10° or 15°)

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9.9.3 AeroFix 10-EW

Orientation

You may enter any orientation on the roof. It is recommended to use any orientation with a direction

parallel to the roof edges. With the east-west system, the modules are placed in the entered orientation

and mirrored in the opposite direction with 180° added.

Row distance

The row distances of any AeroFix system is optimized for aerodynamic and shading issues. With

AeroFix EW you may not edit the row distance.

Row completion

There are four possibilities to select a row completion. The number of modules fitting on the roof and

also the ballasting needed is influenced by the used row completion.

01. Modules on both sides: PV Manager does not use any wind cover The Module fields start and end

with modules. Even if there are disturbing objects, the fields are completed with modules. You may

be able to get more modules on the roof with other row completion, but with this selection you get

the lowest ballasing results.

02. Wind cover on both sides: All Module fields are started and completed with wind cover May be used

if you want to place modules close to an attic (reduced shading) but results in higher ballasting.

03. 04.Variable: Starts either with a module or a wind cover. You may get the maximum number of

modules on the roof with one of this options. Wind cover are used if there is not enough space for a

complete module row.

To find a good roof planning you may try different options of row completion.

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9.9.4 Mounting structure AeroFix

With View mounting structure the ground rails are displayed. There are six default lenghts of ground rails

combined to get the reqired overall length.The rail lenths are shown with different colors If no default length fits,

the proximate length need to be shortened. Rails to be shortened are marked with a hatsh.

Mounting strucure view of AeroFix 10-EW systems additionally

shows modules with wind covers attached. They are also

marked with a hatch.

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9.9.5 Ballasting Plan AeroFix

A Ballasting plan dependent to the planning is available for some specific countries with:

The importand values for ballasting calculation are among others:

Location, with Windloads, Terrain Category and exposed location.

Building dimensions, orientation, height Gebäudeabmessungen, Ausrichtung, Gebäudehöhe

Paraphrets, Border- and Corner areas

Attiken, Randabstand, Rand- und Eckbereiche

Coefficient of static friction, Module arrays and orientations.

The legend on the right shows the different

ballasting with colors. You can select

module or base rail ballast.

The weight of the ballsting stones can be set

in kg steps. You can define up to 3 stone

weights to get a calculation of the necessary

amount of stones.

The ballasting view only shows the

additional weight. If you need to know the

exact loads on the surface, you may print

out the statics calculation report.

If no ballasting calculation is possible for specific modules, they are marked with an red arrow. Check the module

compund and connect the base rails to other modules if possible. Valid module fields are a compund of at least

2x3 modules.

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10. Connections

The Connections menu item allows you to calculate inverter combinations and plan module connections. You may

also select the plant communication and a storage system in this section.

10.1 Connection settings

In Settings, start by selecting the plant type and the grid-related connection conditions. Select the EEG to pre-

select the inverters in the inverter connection.

Feed-in management: exclusively inverters with a feed-in management option are pre-filtered.

70% rule: exclusively inverters with a throttling option are pre-filtered.

Dimensioning as per VDE-AR-N 4105: exclusively inverters in compliance with this standard appear in the

inverter connections.

The 70% rule for PV plants up to 30 kWp with an increased dimensioning ratio will result in inverters that are too

small for the plant. 70% of the PV generator's output is connected in this process. This reduces costs with regard

to inverters. The 70% rule for PV plants up to 30 kWp with a standard dimensioning ratio will result in inverters

that match the PV generator.

10.2 Roof group

Assign PV generators to roof groups in the Roof group sub-menu. The inverter connection is always calculated

across a single roof group. If there are several roof groups, you must also calculate the inverter connection

several times and consider each calculation separately within the subsequent project stages. Roofs you intend to

connect to a single inverter must be grouped together.

Groups are assigned using the drop-down menu. Click the Edit button to change group names.

Delete groups using the X:

Click the following button to add groups:

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10.3 Inverter connection

Click Roof group list in the navigation bar to open a list of roofs within your project that have already been

assigned modules. Click to select the corresponding roof group and show the connection details of the selected

roof area. Click the button to start PV inverter dimensioning.

10.3.1 Inverter connection settings

The Inverter connection menu is the first menu item within the Settings menu item.

The top part of the dialogue shows module temperature limit values and the dimensioning ratio. You can adapt

said values, if necessary.

In the next step, select the manufacturer. Depending on the manufacturer you can restrict the suggested inverters

in Product family. You may also specify additional criteria in Settings, depending on the selected manufacturer.

Specify whether or not the return current stability as per IEC 61730 is to be taken into account in Accessories. If

you select this option, please specify whether you would like fuse protection sigle-pole, fuse protection double-

pole or no fuse protection at all. You may also select dimensioning with overvoltage protection and an earthing set

on the module frame for inverters that do not feature transformers. Depending on the inverter, the system adds an

additional generator connection cabinet in the connection so the connection complies with the specifications.

10.3.2 Automatically dimensioning the inverter connection

Click to determine and integrate potential inverter combinations based on the

specified settings. You may sort the results by the criteria essential to you using the sort options at the top of the

list.

If you select Quantity of inverters and dimensioning ratio as the sort criterion, the results with the fewest

inverters will move to the top of the list and in the event of combinations with an equal number of inverters, those

suggestions with the largest dimensioning ratio are listed first.

The aforementioned also applies to the sort order when you sort by dimensioning ratio and yield, yield and

dimensioning ratio and the specific yield caused by specific cost factors.

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The buttons represent the number of levels shown in the tree structure of inverter

selections. Please click the corresponding button to obtain more information on all suggestions on the list. Click 5

to show all levels of the tree structure (level 5 appears with PV junction boxes only). You can also show additional

levels for individual connection suggestions by clicking the bright arrows next to the corresponding tab.

Select an alternative to show connection information below the tree structure.

After having made a decision select a combination and click .

10.3.3 Manually dimensioning the inverter connection

The Manual dimensioning menu item features a list of inverters used on the left-hand side. Inverters with

identical connections can be grouped together to assign them in one go. The right-hand side of the dialogue

shows the connection and details on the selected inverter.

The number of strings and modules of the inverter's MPP tracker are shown below the ambient conditions

(specified in the Settings menu item). Change the number of strings and modules to change the suggested

dimensioning.

Tip: observe the PV generator shown in the top-right. This section shows the number of modules used. The digit

will be highlighted in red if the modules have not been connected:

The corresponding field will be highlighted in red if voltage values or currents apply that are not suitable for

connection with the inverter. In this case, please adjust the number of modules or strings accordingly.

You may also manually select a PV junction box in this section. The PV junction box selection is adapted to the

inverter connection.

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10.4 Plant communication

In Plant communication, you can select different IBC SOLAR AG or manufacturer-specific data communication.

The selection is adapted according to the plant size and the inverter manufacturer. Select the plant

communication to add the item including accessories (if applicable) in the bill of materials.

Tip: plant communication selection is optional and may be skipped.

10.5 Self-consumption and storage

The Self-consumption and storage section helps you calculate the quota of self consumption and the degree of

independence. For this purpose, select your customer's energy consumption and load profile. There are several

standard load profile templates avialable. Enter the annual energy demand to automatically calculate the degree

of independence and the quota of own consumption.

10.5.1 Generation Profiles

First you may chose between different types of PV generation profiles:

With the Localized Generation Profiles a location-based timestep simulation is executed. This simulation

contains all the information of the PV plants with the associated inverter conncetion as well as the exact weather

simulation for the elevation ond orientation of each module.

The Standard load profile though are examples of average lapse of PV generation for selected plant orientations

and elevations.

It is highly recommended to use the Localized Generation profiles whenever possible, as they are more accurate

and the results are more realistic.

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10.5.2 Load profiles

You can choose between several template load profiles which are provided by a german grid operator. They

indicate a arithmetic mean over several thousand housholds or commercial industry. That causes an strong

smoothing of the individual demands which may lead into a divergency of the calculated quotas to the real quota.

For a more realistic calculation of quotas there

is an option to import a real measured load

profile. The format should be 15-min. values

over a whole year. You can find the import

dialog via Management->Load profiles

10.5.3 Combine Load profiles

To use more than one load profile, choose the profile

type from the dropdown and insert the power demand.

The priority of consumption can be changed with the up/down arrows.

10.5.4 Load profile generator „E-Mobility“

If you have selected a Load profile type „E-Mobility” you may have to create a load and driving profile.

Enter the profile generator with the edit-button

Car- and charging settings

Select a car from the dropdown or create a user

defined.

Enter the desired charge power when the car is

charged at home as well as a charge efficeiency ratio.

All additional efficiency ratios should be covered by

the energy consumption per 100 km.

With the optional „PV-optimized charging“ the program tries to delay charging times to raise self consumption.

Therefore you can define a minimum charge and a minimum threshold at which the battery charging starts.

With a forward-looking programming, the energy demand for the next trips is hold ready in any case, and the

battery will get charged even if PV generation is not sufficient.

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Distance variation

A variation of the trips entered in the schedule allows to statistically alternate within the selected tolerance for

every week. That keeps the created profile more dynamic. Allowed values are up to +/- 25%

Results

The calculated Results, based on the input and schedule, are shown here.

Calculated range: Battery capacity / Energy consumption per 100 km

Annual driving distance: The cummulated distance based on the trips of the

scheuled week.

Energy demand (at home): The energy which is charged when the car is

connected at home. Includes losses based on charge efficiency ratio.

Energy demand total: Contains the energy which is needed for the annual driving distance (whithout charging

losses)

Battery completely discharged: That value should be close to zero, else one or more trips are higher than the

calculated driving distance or a charging time is to short for the following trips. Check the driving and charging

entries in the schedule if that value is to high!

Drive and Charge profile (sample week)

Default value: Selects the value that is valid for periods whithout entries (white calendar fields)

Profile templates: Some templates for the week schedule.

Calendar view

Add action: Draw an area with left mouse button pushed (Alternate: Keep shift

pressed while selecting two times.

Now right click in the selected yellow area and choose one of the options:

- Connected (at home): The car is connected at the

projects location and can be charged with the „Charge

power (at home) if necessary.

- Disconnected: The car is not conented and can not be

charged.

- Trip of __ km: The battery gets discharged according

to the demand an distance.

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- Connected (away) with __ kW : The battery gets charged with the selected power outside the project

location, is not calculated for self

- Remove: delete an existing entry.

Move entries

Select one or more entries (keep CTRL pressed while selecting) and

draw it with the mouse to another time.

Copy entries

Select one or more entries (keep CTRL pressed) and draw it while you

keep CTRL pressed with the mouse to another time.

Use E-mobility load profiles:

After you have finished the configuration, the calculated load profile is used to calculate the self consumption and

indipendency degrees. You can see the combined load profiles at „Electrical chart generation“ in the „Load

profiles“ tab.

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10.6 String connection

10.6.1 Module assignment to strings

The String connection section allows you to edit the cable routing between modules.

The string connection is calculated automatically by default and you can skip the dialogue without having to edit it.

On the left-hand side of the roof area selection, select the roof area you would like to edit and click the

button.

This will take you to the roof area to edit the string connection and cabling.

You are already familiar with the icons in the tool bar from the roof drawing in the Area menu item. You can also

zoom in or out in the connection view, browse the roof area using the arrow buttons, show the border area or

simulate shading caused by disturbing objects.

All modules have been highlighted in colour, depending on the string. The right-hand side features a legend that

lists the strings of the corresponding inverter. Click the string designation in the legend to highlight it in the roof

drawing.The strings in the connection are aligned horizontally by default. Click to align the strings vertically.

Click again to restore the string alignment to horizontal.

You may also manually exchange modules by double-clicking them one by one using the left mouse button.

Double-click the first module to highlight it in colour. As soon as you double-click the second module using the left

mouse button, the two modules are exchanged.

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10.6.2 Cable mode:

Activate Cable mode to show the cable routing. In this section, you can edit the routing. A host of buttons

are activated for you to edit cable routing.

Start by clicking Select all cables if you would like to rewire all modules. All cables are highlighted in orange

and the Deselect cable and Delete selected cable buttons are activated. Click Delete selected cables

to delete the cables for you to rewire the modules.

Select individual strings using the string selection on the right-hand side. This will give you the option to also

highlight and then delete individual strings using the button. Click this button to add missing cables. In this

process, the PV Manager uses the algorithm for automatic string connection.

Left-click the first module of the string to route cables. Then select the desired cabling before selecting each

module individually. In this process, the cable routing will automatically detect the + and - terminals. Please note

that you must click the coloured module area, not the yellow connection socket.

Double-click cables to highlight them and press the "Del" key or click the button. This will move the cursor to

the previous module and you can route the cable from this module.

Please double-click the connection socket to select modules in cable mode. The cable is always routed from the

highlighted module, which can be identified by the orange connection socket. Cable terminal fittings are optional

and will not be taken into account in the bill of materials. Click a module again to integrate such cable terminal

fittings.

Click the Edit user-defined cable routing button to route around

disturbing objects or route the cables in parallel to the string and avoid fields

on the roof.

Route cables as described above. In a section, click the User-defined

cable routing and click continue. This will now route the cable, yet not

connect it to modules. Click the button again to select the next module and

continue routing the cables.

10.6.3 Change String names

The color and name of each string can be changed manually. Click

the Edit button and change the text. Please note that the number of

characters is limited.

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11. Cabling

11.1 DC cabling

The next menu item allows you to edit DC and AC cabling. Identically to the connection menu, a list of roof groups

and details on the selected roof area will appear.

Click to open the dialogue and edit the cabling of the selected roof area.

The left-hand side of the dialogue (in Inverter selection) shows the inverters used and their MPP trackers as a

tree structure. Please enter the single wire length, the core size as well as the desired colour of the IBC SOLAR

AG FlexiSun cables for the selected MPP tracker.

In this process each tracker is processed individually. Several inverters with the same connection can be edited

simultaneously (group inverters), but you must edit each MPP individually.

Activate the Most economic wire cross section radio button and the software calculates the most economically

viable core size for the connection. In this process, you must ensure that the calculated core size is in direct

relation to factors, such as interest rate (discounting the acquisition costs) and the amount and duration of the

feed-in-tariff. For this reason, adapt said values first in the Settings Options Cabling menu.

The total feed-in tariff represents the value of solar energy calculated from the ratio of grid feed-in tariff and

electricity procurement costs to self-consumption.

Below the input options, the software shows the rated current and voltage per string and the absolute and

percentage-based voltage drop as well as the annual energy loss resulting from cable length and cable diameter.

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11.2 AC cabling

11.2.1 Main and Sub-Distribution, Phase distribution

The AC cabling section gives you an overview of the options on the AC side of your connection.

The top part represents the main junction box settings. The bottom shows any sub distribution units which may be

installed. In this section, select the connection, cable length, cable diameter and the cable material as well as the

installation type.

The number of sub distributions (UV) on the AC side is set to 0 as standard. Use the arrow buttons to edit this

value if you intend to use sub distributions to connect feed-in units to the main junction box. The maximum

number of sub distribution units is restricted by the number of selected inverters.

Click the button to connect the inverters to the three phases of the first junction box

as symmetrically as possible. In this process, the maximum unbalanced load amounts to 4.6 kVA. A warning will

appear if your connection is dimensioned as per low-voltage directive VDE-AR-N 4105 and this value is

exceeded.

You may manually change the connection of individual phases by ticking other phases (L1, L2 or L3). In doing so,

the inverter must be connected to as many phases as it features itself.

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11.2.2 AC Components– edit wiring diagrams

Click to open the window with the AC connection plan settings. In grid configuration, select

either a TNC, TNS or a TT grid. You may subsequently select and dimension the fuses for the main PV

distribution board, the reference board, the feed-in board, the domestic connection and the inverters.

The software selects an

overvoltage protection for the

main PV distribution board and a

meter fuse at the three-phase

meter for all grids as standard. If

you select TT grids, the software

additionally selects a fault current

circuit breaker (RCD).

If you use a fault current circuit

breaker in the Main PV junction

box, specify its secondary current,

which will cause the cable to be

switched off in the event of a fault

current. Below you can specify the

residual current upon which the

system is to trigger the secondary

current.

If you have selected a main PV power fuse, please specify whether this must be an automatic circuit breaker cut-

out or an NH fuse and specify the current at which the electrical circuit is to be cut off. You also have the option to

select protective gear.

Tick the corresponding box in the Related field section if you intend to install a meter for self-consumption. As

with the main PV power fuse, specify whether the fuse is an automatic circuit breaker cut-out or an NH fuse.

In the Feed-in panel the three-phase meter is equipped with a meter fuse which may be either an automatic

circuit breaker cut-out, an NH fuse or a disconnector. As is the case for all fuses, please also specify the trigger

current here.

An NH fuse is available for the Domestic connection.

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12. Bill of materials

In the bill of materials you can edit prices or quantities. You can add your company's items or IBC SOLAR AG

items as well as delete items from the bill of materials.

The bill of materials is divided into several lists. In this process, the software distinguishes between quotation, SL

group, SL project and SL own items.

The Quotation features all items and the complete price including your company's items. You can edit prices in

this section. To do so, click the Edit button behind the price and enter a new price in the input field. Click

next to the item price to delete the entered price.

In the bottom part of the window, click the selection fields to adapt the total price or the price per kWp. If you

adapt the price, merely the total price will appear in the quotation. Individual item prices are omitted and hidden.

SL group 1 contains all items of the 1st group. This designation may differ, depending on your group's name. If

your project features several roofs, they are divided into different groups. In SL group 1 you can edit the quantities

, add items or delete any listed items . You can additionally untick optional positions. Optional

positions are listed on the quotation, but the unit price of the unticked item is not included in the total price.

Any items in the bill of materials that are deleted are greyed out and crossed out. This allows to restore any items

that you have deleted at any time.

SL project features items that cannot be assigned to any particular category. For instance, these may include

superordinate plant communication or the IBC SOLAR AG SolStore.

As with SL group 1 you have the option of deleting, adding or editing the quantities of individual items.

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In SL own items you can add your company's own items .

Click the or button to add items. The Add items to the bill of materials dialogue

appears. Enter a name in the search field and click Search to search for items. Select an item from the list and

enter the quantity. Click Accept to transfer the item in the background and you can directly add more items. Click

Close to return to the bill of materials.

: resets all quantities and prices to their original values.

: resets all prices within the quotation.

: resets all quantities in the bill of materials.

: calculates the overall margin between purchasing and sales.

: exports the entire bill of materials to a csv file. You can adapt the file format in

Administration.

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13. Presentation

The presentation shows all documents of the corresponding project that can be printed. Tick individual boxes and

click Print to print individual documents. You may also select multiple documents. Documents that are not

available for printing at the current project stage are greyed out. For instance, the profitability is only enabled once

the profitability has been edited using the tools. To edit print-outs, the software features the Edit button once

you have ticked the documents to select them. In this

section you can adapt the different options of the

respective print-out.

For several printouts there is an option to change the

orientation and size to fit big sized roofs. Use the Paper

format button and change the DIN format of the specific

printout.

13.1 Summary

The Summary features all important data for plant presentation. Depending on the project progress in the PV

Manager the corresponding software components are used and their results printed out in the summary.

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13.2 Roof drawing

The Module array view may optionally be used as a black-and-white print-out and the same goes for the String

connection. The string connection also provides the option to also print out the cabling.

13.3 Orders

Tick the corresponding box to export orders as

XML files or directly send them via the

product shop.

Please check your data in Settings before

placing the order. In this section, you select the

desired delivery address. The user address is set

by default. Click Shipping address is not

identical to delete the contents of all fields so

you can enter a new address.

You also have the option of integrating plain text

on the first and the last page. To do so, enter plain text directly in the box or Add (predefined) free text.

13.4 Quotation

The quotation window is very similar to the settings window for the order. In this section, please enter the desired

customer address. Click Import address of customer to transfer all customer data. The project address is used

here by default.

You can also change the report settings in this section.

In Show prices, you can select between

different price display options.

Individual unit prices or total price per

group: in this case, all prices are displayed.

All unit prices as well as the individual

prices in groups are added up(photovoltaic

modules, solar generator, the mounting

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structure for the solar generator, cabling, PV junction box and other items).

Total price per group: in this case, only the total price per group is displayed.

Price per item: specifies individual item prices. No total price per group.

Total prices only: displays the total price only.

Short list of total prices per group: item descriptions are not included in the print-out. The print-out will

only show item text so as to provide a better overview of the quotation more.

Unit prices for optional positions: if there are optional positions, the prices of said items are listed

individually, regardless which price display option you selected for the rest of the quotation.

Current date: enter the current date or any other, desired date in this section.

Document title: you can change the document title by selecting one of the following options:

o Quotation

o Order confirmation

o Credit note

o Invoice

o Quotation with price indication

Quotation number: enter your quotation number here.

Select additional information on the print-out in Report contents.

Statics information: prints an additional page with statics information of the mounting structure.

Quantities, units, sales unit: the information on quantities, units and packing units is also printed out.

Footer: in this section, you may deactivate the footer so that user data is not shown. This will allow you

to use your own stationery, for instance.

Price per kWp: untick this option if you do not want to print out the price per kWp.

As with the order section, you can insert plain text on the first or last page.

You may also insert an image above the plain texts. For this purpose, click and select the location where

you saved the image. Tick the corresponding image to include it in the print-out. In a final step, you may specify

the image size.

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13.5 Bill of materials

Enter the desired customer address in the bill of materials.

You also have the option to include your company's own items and edit the desired date, hide the footer or vary

the document title of delivery note and bill of materials. You may also enter plain text above the bill of materials as

well as below and images.

13.6 Inserting plain text

Add plain text to the order, quotation or the bill of materials. In this process, make sure to specify whether the

plain text is to be inserted on the first or the last page.

Click Add free text. A new window opens. In this

section you can create new plain texts, select them

and transfer them to the print-out as well as delete

them.

Click New text to create a plain text note. Now enter

the name of the plain text and the plain text note and

save the text. Click Accept to transfer the plain text

to the print-out. You may now select additional plain

text notes. Additional plain text notes are inserted

below the current plain text in a new line.

13.7 Individual applications

Individual applications are only enabled once the corresponding tool has been completely edited and saved.

13.8 Circuit diagrams and grid application

The print-outs (circuit diagrams, AC connection plan, commissioning protocol and the application for grid

connection) are only completed and enabled once the inverter has been connected. Circuit diagrams are

structured as per German standards.

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A1 Import and Edit Own Load profiles

A1.1 Format specification for PV Manager

File type: .csv (Comma Seperated Value)

Separator: Comma or dot

Step size: 15 Minute-Averages of energy (Wh, kWh) or power (W, kW) for a whole calendary year

Columns: Date, Time, Value

Start date: January, 01 at 00:00

End date: December, 31 at 23:45

A total of 35040 values (leap year: 35136 values)

The imported file can be used in PV Manager projects within

„Selfconsumption and storage“ as well as in the tool

„Profitability“ for calculation of self-consumption and

independency rates.

A1.2 Edit a load profile using MS EXCEL

For using a load profile within PV Manager, the file needs to fit some formatting specifications.

Here are some hints for editing the file within MS Excel shown on an example.

Figure 1: unedited original file

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In Figure 1: you can see the file as it was delivered by the utility company. The file contains values from

Sept. 2013 to August 2014.

In this example the following steps need to be done to get a PV Manager ready load profile

1. The File may only contain columns with Date, Time and Value

Delete all columns that are not necessary (Columns A + B)

2. Delete head row (Column titles)

Delete all rows that do not contain times and values (Row 1)

3. The values must contain a complete year, from January to December.

If there are values from two part-years, they can be joint to a complete year.

Copy + Paste the values from January 2014 to August 2014 (Rows 11720 to 35045 to the

beginning of the table.

Select the column with the dates (Column A)

Use „Find and replace“ (Ctrl+F) and replace „2014“ with „2013“

Now you have a continuous file from 01.01.2013 00:00 to 31.12.2013 23:45

Attention! The combination of Load profiles from different years leads to divergencies with

weekdays and public holidays.

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4. The profile should cover 4*24 hrs. * 365 days = 35040 quarter hour values.

Leap year: 4*24 hrs. * 366 days = 35136 quarter hour values

The example file has 35044 rows, there are 4 duplicated values.

Select Columns A+B and use „Remove duplicates“ function:

Select „Column A“ and serach for duplicate values

Excel removes all duplicates and 35040 rows shall remain.

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5. Split Date and Time into two columns.

The example contains a combined Date+time value in the first column

Insert an emtpy column between Date/time and the value column

Select Column A and use „Text to Columns“ function.

Wählen Sie im Assistenten Schritt 1 „Getrennt“ aus.

In step 2 select „Space“ as delimiter. You can see the separated columns in the preview area. Finish the

wizard.

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6. Edit Number formats of the columns

Column A: Short Date

Column B: Time

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7. Correct daylight-saving time

If the load profile containsvalues from dailight saving time, those values must be corrected.

Search for the date of the clock change in column A.

For the Summer time change you

may have to add the times and

values from 02:00 bis 02:45

For Winter time change you may have to delete the duplicate times.

8. Save the file

Select File -> Save as

Filetype: CSV (Comma

delimited) (*.csv)

The file is saved as .csv

You can leave the following query with „no“ as you have already saved a .csv file. Else

your original file is saved as .csv file, too.

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A2. Importing data from the old PV Manager

Dialogues to import data into the new PV Manager:

Own items: Administration -> Own items -> Import -> Search

User data: Administration -> User data -> Import -> Search

Customer data: Administration -> Customer data -> Import -> Search

Own PV modules: Administration -> Own modules -> Import -> Search

The file location on the hard drive is defined in the old PV Manager in the software parameters:

Now return to the PV Manager and import the corresponding file with the file path from the old PV

Manager.

The folder may be hidden if you are unable to find it:

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Show hidden folders:

o Explorer/My Computer/Open computer

o Press ALT key

o Select Tools

o Select Folder options

o Select View

o Show Hidden files and folders.

Now import the files. For this purpose, select the following files in the import dialogue:

Importing files from the old PV Manager into the new PV Manager:

o Own items: zipencEigeneArtikel.xml

o Own PV modules: zipencEigenePVModule.xml

o Customer data: Kundenverwaltung.xml

o User data: ListeAnwenderdaten.xml

Continue in the new PV Manager with: Open

Select the desired items for import

Click import

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IBC SOLAR AG

Am Hochgericht 10

D-96231 Bad Staffelstein

Phone +49 (0) 9573-92 24 0

Fax +49 (0) 9573-92 24 111

info@ibc-solar.de www.ibc-solar.de