SolarFarmer User Guide

Introduction

SolarFarmer is DNV’s Solar PV modelling software. It combines thoroughly-validated PV simulation algorithms with a modern, attractive and efficient user interface allowing quick configuration of designs and detailed simulation of PV layouts. This is a user guide to help you get started with using the SolarFarmer application.

Getting Started

• Read the Installation Guide first to avoid problems (see the Licensing page to find out how to activate or update your software license).

• Make sure you visit the SolarFarmer Web Service and copy your API access token to take advantage of cloud computing power (see Running calculations in the cloud from SolarFarmer for details).

• Then skim the General UI Principles to get a feel for the layout of SolarFarmer.

• Once you're up and running, you can work through the Step-by-step Tutorials in SolarFarmer to get a hands-on example of how to build and simulate a PV array. Check also our official introductory training courses in the SolarFarmer training website.

• Got questions about how the energy and losses are calculated at each step? Scrutinize The SolarFarmer Calculation Reference to get the full details.

• Check out the Validation section with links to papers that demonstrate the accuracy of the SolarFarmer simulations versus operational data. The Results summary is updated with each release.

• You may find the Improving SolarFarmer Performance section useful to improve your SolarFarmer experience, helping you make things run more smoothly and the calculation run a little quicker.

• Ready to take your modeling to the next step? Level up with Automation in SolarFarmer and unlock SolarFarmer's hidden power.

Good luck! Happy PV modeling.