Using the 3D map and drawing tools

The interactive 3D map

Tips: Operate the map by:

• left mouse button (click & hold) to move the map around,

• right mouse button (click & hold) to rotate and change the viewing angle,

• mouse wheel to zoom in/out.

The energy system UI's core is an interactive 3D map. This map visualizes any changes in the configuration in real-time and lets you perform tasks such as creating segments, adding Commercial & industrial (C&I) rooftop objects for rooftop arrays, and defining restricted areas or lines.

It also allows you to move around transformers , grid connections, or restricted areas, view the sun’s path in different seasons, and see the surrounding environment's related shading impact.

The map interface offers the following:

1. Left toolbar: Use the available tools to create segments, C&I rooftop objects, restricted areas, and line objects or buildings. The move tool is also present in this panel.

2. Right toolbar: Use to change map layers (satellite by default), adjust zoom, or turn on parallel projection or top view.

3. The date/time sliders: Allow you to view shadows cast by the tables and the surrounding environment at different times and dates.

4. The File menu with import/export features or add custom map layers, the Edit menu to undo/redo previous steps, View menu with options to display terrain wireframe, highlight collision with terrain, show/hide time/date sliders, show sun path’s plot, or hide sun ray pointing to the reference point, the System menu providing access to the validation tool, cable sizing table, and the bill of materials, and Settings to toggle on/off auto-update of the design.

The drawing tools

Important: A segment vertical can not be placed further than 2000 meters from the reference point.

The left toolbar offers the following drawing tools:

• Ground segments and C&I rooftop objects create designated shape and size areas for the PV array installation. Ground segment is dedicated to ground arrays, and C&I rooftop object creates a virtual building object to place arrays on its roof (rooftop systems).

• Restricted line and restricted area provide tools to insert regions that should be avoided, such as swamps, fences, trees, or rock formations.

• Shading polygon and shading lines are at your disposal to create objects or lines representing buildings or fences that cast shadows to simulate the environment more accurately.

Note: You can find drawn segments under the Segments section of the navigation menu, and restricted areas and lines are located within the Site section under Constraints.

Using the drawing tools

Here are general tips on how to use the drawing tools.

Tip: Press the Esc button to cancel the drawing at any time. For Windows users, hold Shift to draw perpendicular lines and Ctrl key to draw lines in cardinal directions.

Once you are familiar with the interactive 3D map, you can start drawing your segments and restricted areas.

The move tool

The 3D map lets you move around restricted areas and lines, transformers, and grid connections. Select the element you wish to move on the map or in the main navigation menu and:

1. Click the move tool on the 3D map.

2. Drag and drop the element to the desired location and press Enter to confirm the new position.

Note: Your selected device will be placed at the selected location, and all related data will be recalculated.

Time and date tools.

Tip: If you do not want to see the time and date tools, you can hide it using the View menu at the top of the interactive map.

You can use the date/time tools to visualize the shading of the surrounding environment and the tables. This is very useful when you need to verify the surrounding environment, or that objects do not cast a significant shadow on the adjacent modules.

1. Move around the sliders.

2. Examine the shading at the selected time and date.

Tip: Playing around with shading can help you identify areas where too much shading can cause unwanted loss, and avoiding such regions would be more beneficial.