PVFARM

The basic steps for importing your layout 

Note: Please see the example file at the bottom of this article called "Convention_Drawing.dxf" to use for practice.

Trackers- Align CAD Block references to PVFARM conventions (or create new ones)

Skid- Align CAD Block references to PVFARM conventions (or create new ones)

Align Layer Naming Conventions for PVFARM Conventions:

Blocks - Group Trackers and a skid into electrical blocks

Save or Export the converted layout as a DXF file (2018)

- Match the trackers and transformers to the appropriate catalog item
 - NOTE: Please create any new equipment your import requires on the PVFARM side before importing the layout, see <a href="https://help.pvfarm.io/en/articles/89583-how-to-create-new-equipment">this article</a> on how to do this.

1. Trackers- Align CAD Block references to PVFARM conventions (or create new ones)
2. Skid- Align CAD Block references to PVFARM conventions (or create new ones)
3. Align Layer Naming Conventions for PVFARM Conventions:
 - Roads
 - Boundaries
4. Blocks - Group Trackers and a skid into electrical blocks
5. Save or Export the converted layout as a DXF file (2018)
6. Import the layout into the PVFARM
 - Match the trackers and transformers to the appropriate catalog item
 - NOTE: Please create any new equipment your import requires on the PVFARM side before importing the layout, see <a href="https://help.pvfarm.io/en/articles/89583-how-to-create-new-equipment">this article</a> on how to do this.

to use when converting existing DWG files for PVFARM without the Plugin

Trackers need to be created as a block reference with the name 'pvfarm_tracker_(Name)'

Make sure the tracker shape is rectangular and a closed polyline 

Rename existing tracker block reference via the Rename menu

- RENAME command
 - Blocks section
 - Find a tracker block
 - Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_tracker_(Name)'
 - Make sure the new name is applied for trackers in the Model space

1. Trackers need to be created as a block reference with the name 'pvfarm_tracker_(Name)'
2. Make sure the tracker shape is rectangular and a closed polyline 
3. Rename existing tracker block reference via the Rename menu
 - RENAME command
 - Blocks section
 - Find a tracker block
 - Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_tracker_(Name)'
 - Make sure the new name is applied for trackers in the Model space

If you work with the Fixed-tilt system, name the block 'pvfarm_fixed-tilt_(Name)'

Skids need to be created as a block reference with the name 'pvfarm_skid_type(X)'

Make sure the skid shape is rectangular and a closed polyline 

Rename existing skid block reference via the Rename menu

- RENAME command
 - Blocks section
 - Find a skid block
 - Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_skid_type(X)'
 - Make sure the new name is applied for skids in the Model space

1. Skids need to be created as a block reference with the name 'pvfarm_skid_type(X)'
2. Make sure the skid shape is rectangular and a closed polyline 
3. Rename existing skid block reference via the Rename menu
 - RENAME command
 - Blocks section
 - Find a skid block
 - Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_skid_type(X)'
 - Make sure the new name is applied for skids in the Model space

Boundaries need to be created with the layer 'pvfarm_boundary_(Name)'

Make sure boundaries are closed polylines

1. use the JOIN command to make closed polylines and join different parts of a boundary

Rename existing boundaries layer via the Rename menu

- RENAME command
 - Layer section
 - Find a boundary layer
 - Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_boundary_(Name)'
 - Make sure the new name is applied for boundaries in the Model space

1. Boundaries need to be created with the layer 'pvfarm_boundary_(Name)'
2. Make sure boundaries are closed polylines
 1. use the JOIN command to make closed polylines and join different parts of a boundary
3. Rename existing boundaries layer via the Rename menu
 - RENAME command
 - Layer section
 - Find a boundary layer
 - Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_boundary_(Name)'
 - Make sure the new name is applied for boundaries in the Model space

Roads need to be created as lines, arcs, and polylines with the name 'pvfarm_road_(X)ft'

Rename existing roads layer via the Rename menu

- RENAME command
 - Layer section
 - Find a road layer
 - Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_road_(X)ft'
 - Make sure the new name is applied for roads in the Model space

1. Roads need to be created as lines, arcs, and polylines with the name 'pvfarm_road_(X)ft'
2. Rename existing roads layer via the Rename menu
 - RENAME command
 - Layer section
 - Find a road layer
 - Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_road_(X)ft'
 - Make sure the new name is applied for roads in the Model space

Electrical blocks need to be created as a block reference with the name 'block_(X)'

Make sure your drawing contains Skids and Trackers

Create a block reference for an Electrical block via the Block definition menu

- BLOCK command
 - Select a skid and a bunch of trackers that belong to an electrical block
 - run the BLOCK command
 - Give it the name 'pvfarm_block_(X)'
 - Select 'Feet' as the Block unit
 - Make sure the block reference is applied in the Model space

1. Electrical blocks need to be created as a block reference with the name 'block_(X)'
2. Make sure your drawing contains Skids and Trackers
3. Create a block reference for an Electrical block via the Block definition menu
 - BLOCK command
 - Select a skid and a bunch of trackers that belong to an electrical block
 - run the BLOCK command
 - Give it the name 'pvfarm_block_(X)'
 - Select 'Feet' as the Block unit
 - Make sure the block reference is applied in the Model space

Save or Export the existing layout as a DXF file (2018 version)

Find a perfect match for trackers and transformers in the Catalog

1. Create new catalog equipment first if your Catalog version doesn’t contain some trackers or transformers you need

1. Import the DXF file into the PVFARM
2. Find a perfect match for trackers and transformers in the Catalog
   1. Create new catalog equipment first if your Catalog version doesn’t contain some trackers or transformers you need
3. Observe the DXF has roads and boundaries
4. Add to the Layout 
5. Enjoy your 3D layout in PVFARM 🧡

Work Flow Overview

AutoCAD / Civil3D Commands

Trackers

Skid

Boundaries

Roads

Blocks

Save or Export from AutoCAD/Civil3D

Import DXF to PVFARM