A summary is given of the photovoltaic potentials.
The details of the Photovoltaic (PV) Analysis are listed in this tab, showing the potential for every exterior surface of the project to generate electricity from solar electric panels. After analyzing the potential of every surface, Green Building Studio creates a suggested Installed System according to user-defined Payback Settings.
Green Building Studio assumes that PV panels can be mounted on tilted as well as horizontal surfaces , including roofs, walls, windows, and shades. The analysis assumes that all surfaces included in the model space can hold PV panels, so for a proper analysis of project PV energy generation potential, trees and buildings that are not part of the project should not be modeled. Use the VRML view tab to display the building surface associated with each result.
The Installed System Summary includes every surface that receives enough solar energy to meet the payback settings with installed PV panels. In the Payback Settings, estimated price per watt for the PV system can be adjusted to account for rebates or other regional differences that affect PV system cost.
The PV calculations performed by GBS were validated using the National Renewable Energy Labs (NREL) calculation methods. See Photovoltaic Potential Validation for more details.