Introduction to Inverter Technology
Up until now, solar system engineers need- ed a long time before they could provide potential customers with an initial yield es- timation. Now, technicians can calculate this estimate directly using an iPhone and the SMA Solarchecker. This mobile device features integrated sensors that allow it to determine the location, orientation and tilt of the roof fully automatically. The SMA Solarchecker uses this data and some in- dividual information such as plant size and financing costs to estimate the planned power and profits. Although the estimate does not replace the final detailed plan- ning of the system, it saves much valuable time. And it convinces customers even fast- er of the benefits of these cost-effective and environmentally friendly plants.
The iPhone as a solar power planner
Firstly, the SMA Solarchecker finds the cur- rent location using the iPhone's GPS track- er. Using these values, the "App" (Applica- tion) determines the solar irradiation taken from a database that would be theoretical- ly possible at that particular GPS location. Via the magnetic compass, the iPhone then measures to what degree the roof deviates from the ideal south-facing orientation. The device determines the possible tilt of the so-
lar generator using the tilt sensor. The SMA Solarchecker then uses these values to de- termine the specific yield of a PV plant, i.e. the number of kilowatt hours produced per kW of generator power.
Calculating the energy yield with the Solarchecker
To determine the energy yield, the planned power of the PV generator must be calcu- lated first. The SMA Solarchecker offers two options for this: you can either give the power directly in kWp or give the number of square meters of the planned PV plant. In the latter case, the App converts the en- tered roof area automatically into power. Of course, the App takes into account the PV module type that was specified in the settings.
The SMA Solarchecker calculates the an- nual energy yield of the PV plant by mul- tiplying the specific yield of the roof area with the planned peak power. Long-term estimates, e.g. over 20 years, are also possible. For degradation, the SMA So- larchecker takes on a value of 0.2 percent per year. Whoever wants to calculate more precisely can increase this value ac- cordingly.
Important information:
Since the returns and profits are depend- ent on the estimate of the specific yearly yield, they both carry a certain degree of uncertainty. SMA is therefore not liable for lower actual yields that can also be due to other factors such as shade and soiling of the module. For more precise yield calcula- tions, SMA recommends consulting a quali- fied technician or system planner.
Profit estimate at the press of a button
The App can also estimate profits that are possible with the planned PV plant. All you need to do is to type in the current feed- in tariff per kilowatt hour and the expected financing costs.
Free download of the SMA Solarchecker
www.apple.com/itunes
Use of approved irradiation data
Automatic determination of position, tilt and orientation
Manual input of roof area, module type and maintenance costs
Integrated financing calculator
Yield and profit estimate at the press of a button
Integrated SMA specialist search*
Data transfer via automatically generated email
Languages: German, English, Italian, Spanish, French
* All members of the Sunny PRO Clubs are included in the SMA specialist search.
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