# Performance task preferences The [Performance task](https://help.easy-pv.co.uk/books/performance-and-consumption/page/performance-task "Performance task") can be streamlined by configuring your settings in **My account** > **Preferences** > **Performance or Pro Account Settings** > **Performance**. Here you have the option to configure whether you want panel allocation and the generation of sunpath diagrams and shading factors to be automated. --- ## Panel allocation Choose between: - **Automatically allocate panels**: use auto-stringing to automatically make a string plan without any input needed from you. - **Suggest allocation**: use auto-stringing to make a string plan which it will suggest for you to accept or edit manually. - **Manually allocate panels**: manually construct your string plan, with the option to use auto-stringing when you do so. --- ## Sunpaths With [3D and Magic design mode](https://help.easy-pv.co.uk/books/buildings-and-roofs/page/choosing-a-design-mode "Choosing a design mode"), Easy PV can automatically calculate any shading losses. Here you can choose whether you want Easy PV to **automatically calculate shading based on the terrain and 3D buildings** or whether you want this to be excluded so you can set the shading manually. --- ## Self-consumption and performance Choose which method you'd like to use to calculate the total annual generation of the system.

**Warning**: Changing the performance mode used with affect **all projects**.

Choose from: - **​easy-pv.co.ukMCS**: This is based on the method detailed in Appendix B of [MIS 3002: The Solar PV Standard (Installation)](https://mcscertified.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/MIS-3002_Solar-PV-Systems-V5.0-Final-for-publication.pdf) and will only work for UK postcodes. - **NREL**: This method is based on [NREL's PVWatts calculator](https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/), this is an international method that works for any location. - **PVGIS**: This is another international option that is based on PVGIS data so will work for any location. If selecting the MCS method, you can also choose whether you want to: - **Set default values for MCS self consumption**: this will let you set default values which will be used by default for each of the inputs required for the MCS consumption calculations. - **Manually enter MCS self consumption**: if you select this option you will need to set the inputs required for the MCS calculations on every project. --- ## ​Still Need Help? - **Related FAQs:** Check out our [Performance FAQs](https://help.easy-pv.co.uk/books/faqs/chapter/performance-and-consumption-task "Performance and consumption task") for answers to common questions - **Related guides**: Take a look at [Completing the Performance Task](https://help.easy-pv.co.uk/books/performance-and-consumption/page/performance-task "Performance task") - **Live training:** [Book onto a live demo session](https://cal.com/easy-pv/easy-pv-free-training) to see this feature in action **Contact Support:** If you've got further questions, get in touch with our support team at **help@easy-pv.co.uk** (UK) or **help@easy-pv.ie** (IE). *If you are experiencing a bug, to help us look into your issue faster, please include the email address of your account, the name of the project and screenshots of any unexpected behaviour.*