Performance task preferences

This guide applies to the easy-pv.co.uk and easy-pv.ie versions of Easy PV. The information provided here may not be accurate for easy-pv.com.

The Performance task can be streamlined by configuring your settings in My account > Preferences > 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, by modelling any nearby obstructions, 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 between methods to calculate the total annual generation of the system

Changing the performance mode used with affect all projects. If you would like to just use international calculations for odd jobs, we recommend doing so on a separate account so your MCS jobs are unaffected. 

• MCS (UK only): This is based on the method detailed in Appendix B of MIS 3002: The Solar PV Standard (Installation) and will only work for UK postcodes.
• NREL: This method is based on NREL's PVWatts calculator, 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.  

The following settings are only available on the UK version of Easy PV (easy-pv.co.uk).

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.