Hardware
Solmetric (www.solmetric.com) has released the next version of its solar site assessment tool, the Suneye 210 ($1,995). Like its predecessor, the Suneye 110 ($1,495), the 210 is a handheld electronic tool that helps identify and quantify shading and solar access for siting PV arrays, solar hot water collectors, and passive solar homes.

Both models capture skyline views, helping users compare solar access in different locations. The devices display annual, seasonal, and monthly solar access percentage factors and details about obstructions (elevation angle vs. azimuth angle of objects that will shade that location). Both Suneye models can export data to Suneye Desktop software to create solar access and shade reports. Other data file types (such as .csv, .xml, and .jpg) compatible with common software can be exported. Choosing the GPS option allows files to be exported and used with Google Earth, so that you can see exactly where the Suneye data was taken.

So what’s new about the 210 model? Upgrades include:

• One-handed operation
• An optional integrated GPS ($200) versus an optional external GPS ($250)
• An electronic compass and electronic inclinometer (to quickly determine roof orientation and tilt)
• A “live survey” mode, to display annual sun paths live as you scan the site
• A larger battery (about twice the capacity of the 110’s battery)
• Higher display resolution

Software
Solmetric has also released its PV Designer software ($400) that uses Suneye data to predict PV system output, and helps to determine optimum module placement and array layout.

Users select their PV modules and define the orientation, tilt, and length and width of the mounting area, and PV Designer uses module dimension data so designers can compare layout options. For example, you can check out how many modules will fit on a roof, in portrait or landscape layout, and can consider module interspace and roofline setbacks. Users also select their inverter make and model, which the software uses (along with user inputs for the site’s high and low temperatures) to display warnings when the various array options do not meet required inverter input voltage windows. Parameters can easily be reset to examine various module and inverter choices, and optimize the array’s particular mounting area.

PV Designer requires users to select their location to access insolation data, and uses this along with Suneye data to estimate the PV system’s output. It predicts monthly and annual kWh for various array placement options. For example, if the lower west corner of a rooftop has more shading than the upper east portion, users can compare the predicted output that results from moving the array toward the upper corner of the roof.

iWare
Solmetric also acquired the Sun Tracker application for iPhones from Imeasure Systems in February 2010, which will be rebranded as SolmetricIPV. This $15 app is a handy and inexpensive way to get a preliminary shade analysis for site assessment. Users who have already purchased Sun Tracker will continue to receive software updates to the Sun Tracker app. For more information, see “iPhone Apps for Solar Geeks”.