How To Add Solar Panels In Revit?

Solar Power / By

Afternoon

Is there any mention of solar panels in Revit?

Late last year, we released our free Revit collections, starting with a Metric Radiator Heating System, as part of our new tools for BIM content sharing. The initiative was supposed to be done once a week, but things became hectic in December. Now we’re back at it, and we’re excited to share our next set of free Revit content with you.

The next gift is a set of Revit families for commercial solar power systems that are metric manufacturer-specific. Solar batteries, solar and battery inverters, an energy meter, and the all-important solar panel array are among them.

You may have noticed an increase in the use of photovoltaic solar panels as a renewable energy source for both commercial and residential buildings in recent years due to the ever-increasing need for environmental sustainability. Photovoltaics (PV) convert the sun’s radiation into electricity, whereas traditional solar panels turned the sun’s radiation into directly heating a water supply. PV solar power has become an energy source with numerous major benefits other than its renewability as the solar industry and photovoltaic technology have matured:

  • Low-cost energy production
  • Low-cost maintenance
  • There will be no noise pollution.
  • Job creation drives economic growth.
  • Excess capacity contributes to the grid and ensures a constant supply of energy.

Looking at the global expansion of PV solar power, China clearly leads the way in terms of solar PV installations. It also houses several of the top solar panel producers, which is unsurprising. Europe and the United States, on the other hand, are a strong second and third, with more total PV capacity than China and each offering a higher capacity per capita. The World Bank’s report on Global Photovoltaic Power Potential by Country, which illustrates the vast potential for PV solar across Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, is perhaps the most interesting. Despite solar’s dominance in the renewable energy sector, there is certainly still room for expansion.

Inverters

SMA and Fronius create the solar and battery inverters in our solar power collection. With floor and wall-mounted variants, the four Revit families have a combined power range of 3 kWh to 75 kWh, catering to a wide range of solar power needs.

Batteries

Three solar batteries from SMA, Fronius, and LG are included in the collection, with storage capacities ranging from 3 to 67 kWh. The LG Revit model is hung on the wall, but the Fronius and SMA models are installed on the floor.

Solar Panel Array

The Solar Panel Array is the most crucial piece of content in our PV solar collection. Our display is made up of an LG NeON 2 panel and Optigreen WRB frame. This family, which is based on our generic solar panel array Revit family, has a lot of versatility to fit the needs of any commercial solar panel system. There are choices for modifying heights, pitch, column/row separation, and, most crucially, the number of rows and columns in the array when it is created as a south-facing array.

To provide array functionality in both row and column, we nested a series of families. While we normally avoid nesting families since it increases file size and hence affects performance and overall project size, it is sometimes necessary. Nesting was necessary in this scenario to create a functioning and adaptable panel array.

The first solar panel family is based on the face. The panel geometries and the supporting sub-frame belong to the first family. The rail and vertical frame geometries are non-hosted in the second “Rail & Frame” family. The nested solar panel family, which provides pitch control, is then hosted by a reference line in this family. The nested second family is horizontally arrayed by the third family (combined Rail & Frame and Solar Panel). The fourth family then vertically arranges the third family.

Accessories

SMA’s solar energy metering device is the collection’s final Revit family. This series is surface-mounted, has a similar annotation symbol to inverters and batteries, and can be linked using control system connectors.

A Word on Geometry

In 3D and 2D, each Revit family in our metric PV solar power collection has three degrees of detail. We limit the visibility of 3D geometry to 3D views exclusively, allowing 2D details to be seen in elevations and plans. As a result of being able to move and work faster in 2D views, project performance improves.

In plan view, symbols for the batteries, inverters, and energy meter are visible at coarse and medium levels of detail. The medium LOD symbol remains fixed, whereas the coarse symbol has X and Y offset options. This lets the user to move symbols around to make an electrical drawing more legible without changing the real placement of the equipment.

Custom materials based on manufacturer data are included in all of the collection’s families. Different appearance assets drive the Revit materials. We change the names of both materials and material assets to avoid clashing with existing project settings.

Collection Content List

  • Solar battery placed on the floor by SMA
  • Solar battery installed on the floor by Fronius
  • Solar battery placed on the wall by LG
  • Fronius hybrid solar and battery inverter installed on the wall
  • Solar inverter placed on the wall by Fronius
  • Battery inverter placed on the wall by SMA
  • Solar inverter placed on the floor by SMA
  • LG panels are used in the Optigreen solar panel array.

All of our free Revit collections are part of Kinship Content+, a service that gives businesses access to on-demand Revit content creation as well as a pool of current Revit families based on customer demands and internal development.

In Revit, how do you make a Sun analysis?

Perform a Solar Assessment

  • Select the Energy Analysis Solar tab from the Analyze menu.
  • Select the Study Type from the drop-down menu in the Solar Analysis dialog.
  • Optional: Set the solar analysis settings by clicking the Gears icon to the right of the Study Type.
  • Select the surfaces to be studied from the drop-down menu.

In Revit, what is solar analysis?

Solar Analysis displays solar radiation analysis results in context to assist you in tracking solar energy throughout your design. The program includes customized choices as well as automated settings for various study kinds. The model’s surfaces are used for solar analysis. Standard architectural features (walls, roofs, floors, and ceilings) or conceptual masses can be used to create a surface. Many family kinds (such as Generic models), grouped objects, components, connected objects, imported surface geometry, and energy analysis model surfaces are not supported by detailed geometry element types. The results for these geometry types are frequently erroneous and near to zero.

Solar Analysis makes no assumptions about the material qualities of the objects. The assumption is that surfaces are either entirely opaque or completely transparent. As a result, doing solar analysis on transparent surfaces such as glass or curtain walls is not recommended. If you want to look at solar insolation levels within your building, this is also an important aspect. In essence, the effects of the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) will not be reflected in the results.

What is the normal size of a solar panel?

Solar panel size and number are crucial factors if you have a tiny or irregularly shaped roof. With a big usable roof area, you may be able to compromise some efficiency by purchasing larger panels (at a cheaper cost per panel) to reach your target energy output. However, if your usable roof space is limited, or if it is partially shaded, using fewer smaller high-efficiency panels may be the best method to generate the most power over time while saving you money.

Solar panel dimensions

Solar panels for home use are typically 65 inches by 39 inches, or 5.4 feet by 3.25 feet, with some variation across manufacturers. The SunPower panels are 61.3 by 41.2 inches.

For decades, these dimensions have remained mostly identical, yet the efficiency and production of that same footprint have improved substantially. SunPower also creates systems with virtually no gaps between panels and uses invisible framing and mounting gear to maintain the rooftop footprint as small, efficient, and appealing as feasible.

In Revit, how do you use the sun?

Open a 2D or 3D view that allows you to see shadows. On the View Control Bar, click Shadows On/Off Shadows On to enable shadows. Select Additional Settings from the drop-down menu in the Manage tab Settings panel (Sun Settings). Sun Path Off/On Sun Settings can also be found on the View Control Bar.

Verify the Project Location in Revit

  • Open the Location tool on the Analyze tab to confirm the project’s location, which is Manchester, NH.
  • Take note of the location’s latitude and longitude, which have a significant impact on the Sun’s journey.
  • To apply the settings, click OK, or dismiss the window.

Select a 3D View

Open the default 3D view in your browser.

You can generate many views for the project to display different faces of the building as well as views to illustrate the location of the sun at various times of the year. You can compare numerous views by tiling them together.

Enable Sun Path and Shadow

  • To turn on the shadows for this building, click the Shadow icon at the bottom of the Revit display area.
  • To access the Sun Path menu, click the Sun Path icon at the bottom of the Revit display area.
  • To turn on the Sun Path, select On.
  • If a window appears asking you to choose an option, click it. Instead, display the Sun Path using the supplied project location, date, and time, and pick it.

The ground compass, the location of the sun, the time of day, and the year are all displayed on the Sun Path Interface.

Access and Change Sun Path Settings

  • To access the Sun Path menu, click the Sun Path icon.
  • To access the Sun Path Settings Dialog box, select Sun Settings.
  • Make the following changes to get the type of solar research you want:
  • Select a Solar Study That Isn’t Moving
  • For the solar research, choose a preset.
  • As needed, adjust the settings.
  • To save your changes, click OK.

You can manually modify the time of day in a Still solar study by holding and dragging the sun position along the daily path to a different time of day. You may also manually adjust the time of year by moving forward along the analemma (the figure-8-shaped path) to change the day of the year or by editing the day of the year by clicking the Day and Month (date control).

Create and Preview a Solar Study Animation

  • To save your modifications, select Single Day solar study and click OK.
  • The Sun Path icon should be selected.
  • To access the animation tools, select the Preview Solar Study option from the selection menu (top left hand side of the model display area).

To see the shadows in the Preview Solar Study animation, make sure they’re turned on.

  • Click Play on the animation control bar.
  • Open the Sun Settings and alter the Time Interval on the settings to change the animation pace.
  • To save your changes, click OK.
  • Play the animation again, this time noting how the animation pace varies as the new frame appears every 15 minutes rather than 1 hour.
  • Solar Study animations are only available when single-day or multi-day solar studies are selected.

Save and Export the Solar Study Results

  • Right-click the 3D view in the Project Browser to save the sun research as an image.
  • In the pop-up box, select Save to Project as Image.
  • Change the image parameters and give it a name.
  • Select the Revit menu and click Export to export a Solar Study animation.
  • Select Image and Animation and then Solar Study from the drop-down box.
  • Change the image settings and then click OK.
  • To save the animation, choose a file path.
  • Save the file after giving it a name and selecting a file type.
  • Choose the compression type; Full Frame is the best option for the best quality export.
  • To export the animation file, click OK.

In Revit, how do you perform a light analysis?

Insight Lighting Analysis: Autodesk Insight Lighting Analysis is demonstrated in this video.

Make sure your location is configured and a weather station is selected for new projects.

Within the Insight panel, select Lighting from the Analyze menu. You can get the Lighting command as a separate plugin here.

The first dialog box displays resources and best practices for performing a lighting analysis research. These best practices are optional, but they will assist you in obtaining more accurate findings. Continue is the option.

You’ll then be given the choice of running a new analysis type or retrieving previously saved results. Go after selecting Run New Analysis.

You can control your research settings using the Lighting Analysis in the Cloud dialog box.

A. Analysis allows you to choose from a variety of study types, including:

B. Choose which Levels you want to see the results for. Drop down the menu and double-click on the option you want. Hold down SHIFT while selecting various levels, then click outside of the drop down menu.

It’s worth noting that Cloud Credit expenses are proportional to the amount of floor space considered in the research. Learn more about the prices of Cloud Credit.

C. Location and analysis time or range are included in the Environment settings. The study will take place at the Revit project’s designated location. For LEED analysis categories, the date and time parameters are automatically generated; however, if you pick Illuminance Analysis or Solar Access, you can customize your settings.

D. Illuminance Settings are likewise automatically supplied based on LEED criteria, although for Illuminance Analysis and Solar Access studies, they can be individually modified.

E. Resolution contains two grid sizes for analysis: a 72-inch grid and a 12-inch grid, as well as cloud credit prices. These grid sizes are fixed for particular analysis methods and cannot be changed.

It’s worth noting that Cloud Credit charges are proportional to the resolution of the analysis. Learn more about the prices of Cloud Credit.

F. To begin the simulation, select Start Analysis. Until the analysis is complete, no cloud credits will be charged.

The model geometry will be uploaded to the cloud rendering engine after you select Start Analysis. During this process, do not close the project or Revit.

It’s fine to close the project or continue working in Revit once the model has been successfully uploaded to the cloud and the project has been saved. Because the model has already been uploaded for analysis, any modifications you make to the geometry or material settings will not be reflected in your analysis findings.

You can check the status of the analysis by restarting the plugin and selecting “In Progress Analyses” from the drop-down menu.

When the results are ready, Revit will send you an email. At this time, you can accept or decline the cloud credit costs. It’s a good idea to save the project after accepting the charges so you can retrieve the lighting analysis results once Revit is closed.

Under 3D Views, select the _Lighting Analysis Model View (or any other 3D view). Any “_Lighting… views are automatically made to allow for easy access to the results in plan, 3D, and as a timetable. The findings of the analysis will appear in whatever 3D view is currently active.

To see your analysis results, pick Lighting from the Insight 360 panel. Select the findings for the finished analysis this time, and then click Go.

You’ll be presented with a dialog box containing a summary of your findings. If you’re undertaking a LEED study, the number of points that can be earned will be included.

To see the results in 3D, use the Section Box or open the “_Lighting floor plan.”

It’s worth noting that “_Lighting floor plans are only generated if rooms for the levels are placed.

By selecting the analysis plane and modifying the Analysis Configuration in the Properties panel for analysis kinds that reflect a single point in time, you can toggle between the two dates and times that were simulated.

Schedule for the _Lighting Analysis Room_ is now available. Rooms and their accompanying analysis values will be populated here if you define them.

You do not need to re-run the analysis if you make modifications to the timetable. Simply pick Lighting and view the research results to regenerate results based on the schedule’s information.

What is the purpose of ecotect?

By recreating the building’s context within the surroundings, Ecotect Software was utilized to calculate the building’s energy use. The program is embedded in the primary Autodesk CAD architecture and fully compatible with Autodesk REVIT, and is mostly used by architects and building engineers to further their design advancements. Many existing buildings have been subjected to research studies in order to assess their performance. It is connected to its surroundings, particularly in terms of dealing with solar heat, day-lighting, natural airflow for ventilation, and energy usage for man-made systems like air conditioning and lighting.

This study aims to improve the basic efficiency of an existing building on the UI Campus in Depok. We assumed that some strategic upgrade design propositions should be done after using ecotect software to minimize daily energy consumptions on air conditioning and lights. We could provide an alternative to maximize the utilization of natural resources to lower the building’s energy consumption by being sensitive to the annual sun path and air/wind direction.

Step 1: Gather solar power components

It all starts with assembling the basic components of a solar power system. You’ll require four major components. Solar panels, a charge controller, an inverter, and a battery pack are all part of the system. A breaker, meter, MC4 connector, and fuses, among other things, are required in addition to these items. Keep in mind that reading the solar panel module instructions is critical.

Step 2: Calculate your power load

Before you begin the solar installation process, you must first calculate how much energy you use at home. This isn’t a difficult task. All you have to do is make a list of the household items you use on a regular basis, such as the television, lights, and fan. Add the amount of time these appliances are used in a day. Check the usage length or run time, as well as the power rating, on the specification chart for your household electric appliances.

Calculate the ‘Watt-Hour’ by multiplying an appliance’s runtime by its power rating. To reach the grand total, repeat this process for each electrical device, then add the individual watt-hour amounts together. You can also use an online off-grid load calculator to make this calculation easier.

Step 3: Select and charge the battery

Solar power has a big drawback in that it does not supply electricity when the sun sets. Using a battery, though, you may simply solve this problem. Solar electricity generated during the day is stored in a lead-acid or lithium-ion battery, which is discharged at night. If you choose the right battery storage capacity, you’ll have a consistent source of energy. To keep track of your battery’s charge, you’ll need a power controller. Between the panels and the batteries are these. Such controllers are usually equipped with a small LED light that indicates the battery’s charging status and controls the amount of electricity that flows into the battery.

Step 4: Set up the inverter

Solar panels generate direct current (DC), but electrical appliances require alternating current (AC) power (AC). An inverter is a gadget that helps you save time by allowing you to utilize electrical devices without the need for adaptors. Square wave, modified sine-wave, and pure sine-wave inverters are available in a variety of power wattages and kinds. Square waves aren’t compatible with all devices, and modified sine wave output isn’t suited for certain appliances like refrigerators. A pure sine wave inverter is the finest option for your solar system because of this.

Types of 400w solar panels

When selecting a solar panel 400W, the first thing to consider is the photo components. Monocrystalline and polycrystalline cells are the two main options. Although polycrystalline panels are less expensive, monocrystalline modules yield more energy. We generally deal with the most efficient monocrystalline panels on the market at our store, and we sell 400 watt solar panels among other things.

Off-grid with battery banks

To become entirely energy independent, many households elect to build off-grid solar systems. Because off-grid solar systems are not connected to the electrical grid, they will continue to operate even if the public power grid fails. This, however, is only possible with the right equipment and batteries.

Grid-tight with net metering

Grid-tie solar systems, also known as on-grid, utility-interactive, grid intertie, or grid backfeeding, are popular with both residential and commercial customers. They’re wired into the utility power grid, which is required to keep the PV system running. It lets you to send any excess solar power you create to the grid, collect credits, and utilize those credits to lower your energy cost later.