photovoltaic schematic design

System
System Posts: 2,511 admin
in General Solar Power Topics #1
Howdy, Can anyone recommend a software package for creating a PV system schematic for module layout, wiring, etc.
Thanks!
Greg
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  • SolarJohn
    SolarJohn Solar Expert Posts: 202 ✭✭
    #2
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design

    I've used free software from Express PCB for drawing schematics and designing printed circiut boards.  You might want to try it, the price is right!

    http://www.expresspcb.com/

    John
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  • System2
    System2 Posts: 6,290 admin
    #3
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design

    Others may well know more than I, but it's my opinion that you will be very hard pressed to find such a thing. Reason being, PV systems, in general, are basic, straight forward stuff for anyone familiar with electrical work. Now, I'm not talking about systems that could power a city, just the average home system.
    All the best
    Wayne
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  • Roderick
    Roderick Solar Expert Posts: 253 ✭✭
    #4
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design

    Openoffice Draw, while not specifically made for PV design, has served my simple needs. With some practice, it's good for both architectural drawings and electrical schematics. I used it because the format is portable, as OpenOffice is open source and available for free.

    Just Google "openoffice download" to get the suite. If you have a slow connection, you might want to just order a CD or ask a friend, though - the whole suite is about 200 MB.

    My drawings are available at:

    http://briefcase.yahoo.com/rmkey@sbcglobal.net

    if you want to use them as a starting point for your drawings. Note that OoDraw will output .pdf format, but those are for viewing and distribution - the .odg files are the editable ones.
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  • rollandelliott
    rollandelliott Solar Expert Posts: 834 ✭✭
    #5
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design

    I know this topic is 4 years old, but I could use a "template" file to manipulate so I can submit it to my local permit /codes government. Software used is not that important, as long as it can be edited. the above link is dead.

    I tried manipulating a PDF file in photoshop, but it's a pain in the butt.

    If anyone has one they can share it would be appreciated.
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  • ggunn
    ggunn Solar Expert Posts: 1,973 ✭✭✭
    #6
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design
    rollandelliott wrote: »
    I know this topic is 4 years old, but I could use a "template" file to manipulate so I can submit it to my local permit /codes government. Software used is not that important, as long as it can be edited. the above link is dead.

    I tried manipulating a PDF file in photoshop, but it's a pain in the butt.

    If anyone has one they can share it would be appreciated.
    I have used Google Sketchup for doing one line and three line schematics. It's a free program and runs on Mac or PC. It's also done in M$ Visio by folks I know, but I've not done it.
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  • Solar Guppy
    Solar Guppy Solar Expert Posts: 1,989 ✭✭✭
    #7
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design

    I used "Paint", the free program that comes with every windows computer. Took about 2-3 hours do my systems and never had a complaint from the PE or the building department
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  • rollandelliott
    rollandelliott Solar Expert Posts: 834 ✭✭
    #8
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design

    Sure it can be done in paint, but it is not a very forgiving program. I guess I'll just stick with photoshop.

    thanks for the suggestions. :)
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  • mikeo
    mikeo Solar Expert Posts: 386 ✭✭✭
    #9
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design
    I guess I'll just stick with photoshop.
    I use an old version of Turbocad which works Ok for me. I see that the newer versions available only cost around $20. Turbocad comes with a lot of template libraries that include most electrical and electronics symbols. You just drag them into place and connect the lines to make a drawing.
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  • ggunn
    ggunn Solar Expert Posts: 1,973 ✭✭✭
    #10
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design
    rollandelliott wrote: »
    Sure it can be done in paint, but it is not a very forgiving program. I guess I'll just stick with photoshop.

    thanks for the suggestions. :)
    Photoshop is a bitmap program and not what I would use for drawing. I'd advise using something vector based.
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  • rollandelliott
    rollandelliott Solar Expert Posts: 834 ✭✭
    #11
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design

    ggun you are right, but I just borrowed a pdf drawing from the board that was pretty similar so it was easier to do via photoshop

    http://www.ige-xao.us/en/us/products/see_technical.php?gclid=CK-v1ujPjasCFak65Qodf3YUyQ

    this might work as well for anyone doing it from scratch.

    edited to add photoshop is absolutely the wrong tool, but I just happend to know and have it, your suggestions below are better.
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  • ggunn
    ggunn Solar Expert Posts: 1,973 ✭✭✭
    #12
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design
    rollandelliott wrote: »
    ggun you are right, but I just borrowed a pdf drawing from the board that was pretty similar so it was easier to do via photoshop

    http://www.ige-xao.us/en/us/products/see_technical.php?gclid=CK-v1ujPjasCFak65Qodf3YUyQ

    this might work as well for anyone doing it from scratch.
    That's all well and good, but Photoshop is an expensive program with a pretty steep learning curve at the outset. SketchUp (the non-pro version) is free and pretty easy to figure out how to use. It's all in what software you have and what your starting point is, but I would not advise anyone starting from scratch to go out and buy Photoshop as a schematic generator. It's the wrong tool for the job.

    If price is no object and you are up for the learning curve, AutoCAD LT is IMO the way to go.
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #13
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design

    GIMP is a free, openource, photoshop like graphics editor. Has many of the same features, and, is free.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

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  • ggunn
    ggunn Solar Expert Posts: 1,973 ✭✭✭
    #14
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design
    mike90045 wrote: »
    GIMP is a free, openource, photoshop like graphics editor. Has many of the same features, and, is free.
    Photoshop is a bitmap program and not well suited for making schematic drawings. A vector based program would be much better. Making schematic drawings with Photoshop (or a program like it) is a bit like changing a tire with a screwdriver.
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  • Sam Jankis
    Sam Jankis Registered Users Posts: 4
    #15
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design

    Hi try this plugin for Google SketchUp, it is free and has some cool features to do a solar design with just some clicks.

    www.skelion.net
    Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_tFw...layer_embedded

    good luck!
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,613 admin
    #16
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design

    Just an FYI--"Sam Jankis" appears to be a developer for skelion--So if anyone wants to review the product here--They are welcome. I will leave this up for now as it may be useful for some people (normally, we would delete at spam--that is still an open question at this time).

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • niel
    niel Solar Expert Posts: 10,300 ✭✭✭✭
    #17
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design

    only reason i left it was that there is a free version.
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  • SolaRevolution
    SolaRevolution Solar Expert Posts: 410 ✭✭
    #18
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design

    These are all smart draw. It has all sorts of new functions if you get it now but I've been using it since it was cheap and simple. I think you can still check out a free on-line demo.

    Attachment not found.
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  • mike95490
    mike95490 Solar Expert Posts: 9,583 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #19
    Re: photovoltaic schematic design

    here's a free sch & layout program from a PCB mfg company (disclaimer - I do like their boards, and have used them in the past)
    http://www.sunstone.com/PCB123-CAD-Software.aspx
    you may be able to get it to draw what you want.

    This (attached) was done in visio - overkill, but it works.

    Attachment not found.
    Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
    || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
    || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

    solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
    gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,

    · Share on Twitter

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