Frequently Asked Questions and Tips
Q. Who can use the program, any special skills required?
A. The application is designed to help a knowledgeable residential PV designer. ( Homeowner or contractor ) With the basic knowledge of PV and the effects of series and parallel wiring methods.
It is intended to quickly perform calculations on screen or in reports but, will not teach PV or enable a beginner to design safe systems.
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Q. Is the program supported on MAC ?
A. Currently no, the application is only supported to PC's with Microsoft Access 2010 or the free Runtime installed. It may be possible to have a Windows emulator on MAC with Microsoft Access but, this is not confirmed or tested.
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Q. Does the program support DC Optimizers such as “Solar Edge” ?
A. Not fully. Optimizers improve the DC output at the module level and diminish certain de-rate factors. In the Designer application you can adjust the de-rates accordingly and make indirect notes in the drawing text fields.
For Dwg. here again you would just add notes to the existence of the optimizers within the system.
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Q. What is the largest size system the application can design ?
A. Design parameters are defined as those found in the expedited permitting for residential PV, by Brooks Engineering and the ABC’s of solar.
1. The structural installation of the systems meets the following criteria:
2. The electrical design of the system can be described using the supplied standard electrical diagram and meets the following criteria:
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Q. Will the program provide a Code compliant diagram?
A. It is always the designers responsibility for code compliance. With various codes and local interpretations it is not possible for software to completely cover. If the user has knowledge of said codes and details. The application performs calculations based on user inputs and helps develop a compliant system. Some hand annotation or additional documentation may be required of the designer.
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Q. Where can I find the Free Access Run time program?
A. http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=10910
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Q. I get a DLL initialization error on start up?
A. Did you install TPVS before Access 2010 or the Runtime program? Uninstall programs and reinstall Access/Runtime first then TPVS applications.
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Q. My Modules or Inverters are not in database, can I add them?
A. Yes, there is an input form to add modules or inverters and or edit existing should the manufacture change any published electrical specifications.
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Q. Can I include batteries in the design?
A. Not that you can not but, currently battery based systems is out of scope for TPVS Applications.
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Q: My report appears blank or I have multiple pages mostly blank.
A: By default Dwg. reports are Landscape with minimal margins. Sometimes upon install the program adapts the local PC settings. Under print review setup, you can set Landscape and Zero out margins to correct this.
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Q: I cannot get added modules to show in the configurations list ( Designer Only)
A: When entering negative tolerance for modules, enter as a decimal (ex, 3% = 0.03 )
A. The application is designed to help a knowledgeable residential PV designer. ( Homeowner or contractor ) With the basic knowledge of PV and the effects of series and parallel wiring methods.
It is intended to quickly perform calculations on screen or in reports but, will not teach PV or enable a beginner to design safe systems.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. Is the program supported on MAC ?
A. Currently no, the application is only supported to PC's with Microsoft Access 2010 or the free Runtime installed. It may be possible to have a Windows emulator on MAC with Microsoft Access but, this is not confirmed or tested.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. Does the program support DC Optimizers such as “Solar Edge” ?
A. Not fully. Optimizers improve the DC output at the module level and diminish certain de-rate factors. In the Designer application you can adjust the de-rates accordingly and make indirect notes in the drawing text fields.
For Dwg. here again you would just add notes to the existence of the optimizers within the system.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. What is the largest size system the application can design ?
A. Design parameters are defined as those found in the expedited permitting for residential PV, by Brooks Engineering and the ABC’s of solar.
1. The structural installation of the systems meets the following criteria:
- The array is mounted on a code-compliant structure;
- An engineered mounting system is used to attach the array to the structure; and
- The array has a distributed weight of less than 5 lbs./ft2 and less than 45 lbs. per attachment.
2. The electrical design of the system can be described using the supplied standard electrical diagram and meets the following criteria:
- All products are listed and identified for the application (i.e. modules, inverters, source combiners, etc.);
- The array is composed of 4 series strings or less and,
- The inverter output is 13.44 kW or less (maximum size for 70-amp breaker) and is connected on the load side of the service disconnect
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Q. Will the program provide a Code compliant diagram?
A. It is always the designers responsibility for code compliance. With various codes and local interpretations it is not possible for software to completely cover. If the user has knowledge of said codes and details. The application performs calculations based on user inputs and helps develop a compliant system. Some hand annotation or additional documentation may be required of the designer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Q. Where can I find the Free Access Run time program?
A. http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=10910
_____________________________________________________________
Q. I get a DLL initialization error on start up?
A. Did you install TPVS before Access 2010 or the Runtime program? Uninstall programs and reinstall Access/Runtime first then TPVS applications.
___________________________________________________
Q. My Modules or Inverters are not in database, can I add them?
A. Yes, there is an input form to add modules or inverters and or edit existing should the manufacture change any published electrical specifications.
___________________________________________________
Q. Can I include batteries in the design?
A. Not that you can not but, currently battery based systems is out of scope for TPVS Applications.
____________________________________________________
Q: My report appears blank or I have multiple pages mostly blank.
A: By default Dwg. reports are Landscape with minimal margins. Sometimes upon install the program adapts the local PC settings. Under print review setup, you can set Landscape and Zero out margins to correct this.
___________________________________________________________
Q: I cannot get added modules to show in the configurations list ( Designer Only)
A: When entering negative tolerance for modules, enter as a decimal (ex, 3% = 0.03 )
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