New cable sizing algorithm, Documentation in imperial units, improved adaptive configurations, IEEE standard for interconnection facility
pvDesign - version 4.8.15
New features
November was packed with algorithm quality improvements and new features. The NEC cable sizing standard is no longer in beta, after a thorough review of our implementation of the standard. We also added the option to generate the documentation using imperial units, which had been a recurring user request for a long time. Find below a summary of these changes:
- All new cable sizing algorithm for IEC and NEC: We reviewed our implementation of the IEC and NEC standards. Now the NEC is no longer in beta. Among the improvements made, some of the most notable are a corrected short circuit calculation, taking into account the repeated sections for the grouping correction factor, and updated IEC ampacity tables.
- Detailed listing of cables: The listing of cables now includes general information about the cables, such as conductor material and insulator. It also includes warnings regarding compliance with user requirements. Finally, it also includes detailed results of the cable sizing algorithm.
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Imperial units in the documentation: It is now possible to generate the documents in imperial units. Length, surface, volume and temperature will now change between international system or imperial units in all the documents.
- Adaptive configurations now include fit blocks: The 1x1 block configurations which were previously called 'Fit' are now included in the adaptive configuration. Also, these configurations will now be suggested for bigger sites than before.
- New switching and braking station layout: A layout, profile and top view is now generated for switching and breaking stations.
- IEEE standard for the interconnection facility: The interconnection facility devices can now be sized according to the IEEE standard. The insulation coordination and short circuit current calculations are also performed using the IEEE standard when it is selected.
Improvements and bug fixes
Additionally, we introduced the following improvements and bug fixes:
- Fixed two bugs in the second level string box electrical configuration, which resulted in the target value for L1 boxes per L2 box being ignored.
- Reviewed the calculation model for the fuses used in the electrical system.
- Fixed a bug which caused the site upload process to fail and not register in the application.
- Improved substation SLD documents, so that the elements are now more clearly visible.
- Improved the calculation of the structure groups when a topography analysis is performed.
- Changed the limits for calculating string inverter configurations when the inverter power is high. Now the DC/AC ratio should be closer to the target value.
- Improved the reporting of yields and consumptions in the energy yield report.
- Added a generic meteorological data CSV source in monthly and hourly format.