In this document
You'll learn how to draw ground segments with the segment tool, and how to create rooftop segments in three steps using the Commercial & industrial (C&I) rooftop object — creating the object, defining its height, slope, and slope azimuth, and then either drawing a custom segment on the roof or applying the rooftop shape as the segment. It also covers segment properties (array mounting type, segment type, albedo, horizon data source, coverage area and perimeter, inner safe zone, and terrain approximation), how to edit segment vertices, and the additional options available from the three-dot menu.
A segment is a polygonal area you draw on the map to define where a PV array can be placed — it delimits the buildable ground or rooftop surface and carries its own mounting, terrain, albedo, and horizon settings for the array inside it. PV Energy system designer lets you add segments directly to the 3D map.
Solargis Evaluate Energy system designer supports two types of segments (array placements) - ground segments and rooftop segments. Rooftop segments are essentialy Commercial & industrial (C&I) rooftop objects. You will create both using the interactive 3D map tools.
If you are looking to add restricted objects or restricted lines to the design, see Restricted lines document. To add shading objects, see Adding shading objects.
Adding ground segments
Select the segment tool
from the left toolbar.Start drawing by placing the vertices on the map (mouse click).
Finish the shape by pressing Enter or placing the last point at the starting point.
Tip: You can learn how to work with the drawing tools in the interactive 3D map guide.
Once you have the segment in place, you can start adding restricted areas or shading objects if required.
Adding rooftop (C&I) segments
You can create a rooftop segment using the C&I rooftop object tool on the interactive 3D map. This process contains three steps to configure the rooftop area for the segment properly.
1. Creating C&I rooftop object
In the first step, you must create the rooftop object to simulate the building’s rooftop shape.
Select the C&I rooftop object tool.
Draw the building rooftop area and click enter.
The C&I rooftop object will be added to the design with a default height of 10 m.
2. Defining the rooftop parameters
The second step involves configuration of the building height, slope, and slope azimuth:
Define the building height if required. You can switch between relative (from the surface) and absolute (elevation) height.
If the building’s roof is sloped, use the slope and slope azimuth parameters to set its slope. You can use “set in map” feature for the slope azimuth to set it relative to any rooftop side or any angle.
The slope of the building’s rooftop will be rendered in the design in real time after every change.
3. Adding a segment to the rooftop object
In the third step, you will add a segment for the array on the created rooftop. You can use the rooftop shape as a segment or add a custom segment manually.
To add a custom segment to the rooftop, use the segment drawing tool and outline a custom-shaped segment on the rooftop.
To use the rooftop shape as a segment, click the “Use rooftop shape as segment” button in the C&I rooftop object properties panel.
Now your segment is ready, and you can add an array to it.
Segment properties
Once you draw your segment, you can configure several parameters of your segment in the segment properties. Select the segment in the main navigation, and its properties panel will load in the properties panel.
Here you can change:
Array mounting type.
Segment type (ground or building).
Albedo: You can adjust the default albedo for the segment.
Horizon data:
Segment specific: Refers to the specific segment you have created and is calculated based on the centroid position of the segment from the SRTM90 elevation model.
From site properties: Applies horizon shading from the site’s reference point, regardless of the placement of the segment. You can access and edit this horizon’s data under the Site properties in the main menu.
Provides information about the segment’s coverage area and perimeter. You can set an inner safe zone for the segment here ( buffer area around solar panels that ensures compliance with safety, maintenance, and regulatory requirements).
The Terrain approximation setting determines how the software treats the underlying ground surface for a specific segment or site. You can choose between two distinct modes:
Terrain following method:
What it is: This mode enables the PV tables to follow the natural terrain surface exactly without any digital modification.
Effect on table orientation: Because every table must adjust to its unique underlying slope, the orientation can only be set as "Nominal".
Planar surface method:
What it is: This mode calculates a single flat plane that best approximates the underlying terrain for the entire segment.
Effect on table orientation: This mode offers higher flexibility, supporting three distinct ways to define table orientation for fixed-tilt mountings: specific, nominal, and effective. Learn more about how to work with table orientation in the Array configuration guide.
Note: Terrain approximation is not available to rooftop segments.
Editing segment vertices
To edit segment vertices:
Select the segment you want to edit (on the map or in the main menu).
Press “E” on the keyboard to start editing the vertices.
Move around the vertices with your mouse or add new ones as required.
Save the changes using the “Finish” button.
Note: If the segment contained an array, it will be automatically adjusted to the new segment shape and all relevant parameters will be recalculated.
Additional segment options
Additionally, you can open the segment options menu using the three dots menu in the segment properties panel or right-clicking the segment on the interactive 3D map to do the following (keyboard shortcuts are displayed in the menu):
Rename: Rename the segment.
Show/hide the segment: Hides the underlying shape illustration and leaves only the array in place.
Set all to default : Resets all changed parameters to default.
Remove array: Clears the segment of its array (if present).
Delete: Deletes the segment.
