You can think of this article as a checklist for what you may need to get started with PVFARM on your own projects. PVFARM does provide default equipment, so you will not need to create equipment before working on the platform.
Context and Targets
Boundaries (required)
KML, KMZ, and DXF files.
Please follow the How To Get Boundaries And Terrain Files to get your own boundary files for PVFARM.
Site requirements (recommended)
Total DC Target and/or number of blocks
ILR Range (dc/ac ratio)
Row-to-row space
Equipment (recommended)
PV Module
manufacturer
power
use one from the Catalog or upload your own PV module as a PAN file
Please follow the How to Upload a PV Module and Inverter as a PAN/OND file to upload any PV Module you have.
Tracker
manufacturer
number of modules per string
number of modules per row
Combiner box
manufacturer
String or Central type
amperage, A
Inverter
manufacturer
AC power, kW
String or Central type
number of inverters per block
use one from the Catalog or upload your own inverter as an OND file
Please follow the How to Upload a PV Module and Inverter as a PAN/OND file to upload any Inverter you have.
Transformer
manufacturer
DC Power, kW
Terrain (optional - Cut&Fill purposes)
GeoTiff, DEM, and PVFM files.
Please follow the How To Get Boundaries And Terrain Files to get your own terrain files for PVFARM.