Adding segments, restricted areas, and other objects

  • Updated on Mar 24, 2026
  • Published on Oct 14, 2024
  • 7 minute(s) read
  • Diego Martinez
  • MK
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In this document

You will learn how to create segments, restricted areas, or shading objects using the interactive 3D map.

Drawing segments

Segments are created in the interactive 3D map:

  1. Select the segment tool from the left toolbar.

  2. Start drawing by placing the vertices on the map (mouse click).

  3. 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 here.

 

Segment parameters

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.  

Editing segment vertices

If you need to edit existing segment vertices, you can do it in the following way:

  1. Select the segment you want to edit (on the map or in the main menu).

  2. Press “E” on the keyboard to start editing the vertices.

  3. Move around the vertices or add new ones as required.

  4. 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, the segment menu offers 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.

Note: You can also access the segment options using the three-dot menu in the segment properties or right-clicking on the segment on the 3D map.

Restricted areas, restricted lines, and shading objects

If you want to include maintenance routes inside your installation, create areas unsuitable for PV table installation, or add shading objects, you can use restricted area, restricted line, and shading objects tools. Restricted areas and restricted lines offer an option of placing inverters within their constraints. This allows for inverters to be placed on maintenance paths or inside specific restricted areas.

Restricted areas and lines now incorporate terrain-following geometry, paving the way for future support of terrain-following table placement. The entire polygon—along with its outline—now conforms to the terrain through re-projection.

You can edit restricted areas, lines, and objects the same way you would edit a segment.

Note: Exisitng restricted areas, restricted lines, and shading objects are listed within the Site section in the main menu under Constraints.

Moving and duplicating restricted areas and restricted lines

You can move around existing restricted areas/lines using the move tool.

  1. Select the restricted area/line on the map or from the list in the main menu under Constraints.

  2. Activate the move tool in the left toolbar or press “M” on your keyboard.

  3. Drag and move the restricted area/line on the map to the desired position

  4. Press Enter on your keyboard to confirm the new position.

You can also duplicate the restricted area/line while the move tool is active by pressing the “Alt” button on your keyboard. An exact copy of the object will be added to the design at its original spot. You can continue moving around the existing object to its new position, while the duplicated one will occupy its original position.

  1. Duplicated restricted area/line where the original restricted line was originally placed.

  2. The existing restricted area/line that you can move around to its new position.

Note: Pressing “Enter” will place the existing restricted area at the new position while leaving the duplicated one in its original spot.

Restricted area

The restricted areas are used to create zones where PV tables cannot be installed, e.g., swamps, groups of trees, or rock formations. The process of drawing a restricted area is identical to drawing the segment.

You can draw restricted areas using the restricted area drawing tool by selecting it in the left 3D map toolbar or by pressing A on the keyboard.

Restricted area properties

Restricted areas offer the following customization options:

  • Exclusion zones: You can define a no-build zone (in meters) around the restricted area if required to create a “buffer zone” between various design objects.

  • Allowed objects in the restricted zone: You can decide whether to allow or restrict object placement (e. g., inverter units) within the boundaries of the restricted area. This way, you can group several inverter units in a single restricted area for easy access and maintenance.

The properties panel offers additional three-dot options menu, where you can perform further edits of show/hide the element’s outline in the 3D map.

If you set an exclusion zone around the restricted area, you may further specify the shape of its breaking points to miter, round, or bevel.

Restricted line

The restricted line can represent a maintenance route or any other straight line that must be avoided. Once you place the restricted line into the map, you can edit its safe zone in the properties panel to the right.

You can draw restricted lines using the restricted line drawing tool by selecting it in the left 3D map toolbar or by pressing L on the keyboard.

Restricted line properties

Restricted areas offer the following customization options:

  • Exclusion zones: You can define a no-build zone (in meters) around the restricted line if required to create a “buffer zone” between various design objects.

  • Allowed objects in the restricted line area: You can decide whether to allow or restrict object placement (e. g., inverter units) within the boundaries of the restricted line.

The properties panel offers additional three-dot options menu, where you can perform further edits of show/hide the element’s outline in the 3D map.

Shading polygon objects

The shading polygon object represents surrounding obstacles such as buildings, walls, or other structures that could cast shadows on the PV system. By adding these objects to the 3D map, you can simulate real-world shading effects and assess how nearby elements impact system performance and energy yield.

You can draw shading polygon objects using the shading polygon drawing tool by selecting it in the left 3D map toolbar or by pressing P on the keyboard.

Key properties of shading polygon objects

  • Shading polygon objects can not have arrays placed at the top.

  • They can be placed inside or outside of the buildable area.

  • They can be placed inside segments.

  • You can define the object’s exclusion zone in its properties in the panel to the right.

  • Shading objects can be moved using the move tool and duplicated.

  • They can be moved around using the move tool.

Shading line objects

The shading line objects can represent forest borders, fences, or building walls near the installation, which may cast unwanted shadows and cause losses. You can add them to the map to visualize their impact and help you make better decisions about the PV table's placement.

You can draw shading line objects using the shading line drawing tool by selecting it in the left 3D map toolbar or by pressing S on the keyboard.

Note: The image below shows that the fence near the road would cover one third of the tables to its side in the early evening.

Shading line object properties

You can set the height of a line object and decide how to apply its surface albedo - as a constant for the whole year or as monthly values that you can edit. If you want to edit the monthly values, use the “Edit” button.