Create a carport system

Before You Start

Have the project address or an image, drawing, or PDF of the site available. When using an uploaded underlay, make sure you know at least one real-world reference dimension and the north direction.

Define the Carport Area

1. Start a project using one of three starting points:
   • Google Maps: Position the site boundaries using satellite imagery.
   • Uploaded Underlay: Import a PNG, JPG, or PDF plan (e.g., a parking lot blueprint). Set the scale using two points with a known reference distance, then set the north arrow.
   • Whiteboard: Start on a blank canvas.
2. Draw the parking area outline using Rectangle (R) or Polygon (P) in the toolbar.
3. In the side panel, select Carport as the surface type.
4. Add Obstacles & Keep-Out Zones: Draw adjacent buildings, trees, access lanes, fire routes, light poles, or keep-out zones using Rectangle, Polygon, Circle, or Line tools. Set obstacle height, ground alignment, and offset parameters in the side panel.

Create the PV Layout

1. Navigate to Module Layout and select the carport surface zone.
2. Choose a PV module and mounting system configuration:
   • Filtering & Favorites: Filter the database by manufacturer, power, or type. Select the Star icon next to any component to pin it as a favorite at the top of the list.
   • Missing equipment? Learn how to Add a panel to the panel database or Add an inverter to the inverter database

1. Configure Carport Structure Parameters:
   • Structure Type: Choose between single-sided (cantilever) or double-sided (Y-shape / dual-pitch) carport structures.
   • Clearance & Height: Define the minimum structural height clearance for vehicles.
   • Tilt & Pitch: Set the roof slope angle and row pitch.
2. Configure Panel & Alignment Parameters:
   • Module Orientation: Select portrait or landscape orientation.
   • Azimuth Alignment: Select the alignment method (e.g., direct South/North or aligned to a drawn boundary edge/parking stall line).
3. Place Carports:
   • Autofill: Automatically populates the available carport area while respecting boundary setbacks and obstacle offsets.
   • Free Size: Click and drag to manually define a specific installation zone or custom parking row block.
4. Adjust Layout: Select carports using the selection tool (S) to move, duplicate (E), or delete (Delete) specific structures. Use Add modules to expand the design with the same or a new configuration.

Analyse and Configure the System

1. Shadow Simulation: Enable Shadow simulation for a designated date and time frame to visualize row-to-row inter-shading. Enable Shaded panel removal to automatically purge heavily shaded modules. See Simulate shadow
2. Yield Estimation: Open Yield Settings to configure location data (PVGIS) and system loss assumptions. Review expected annual production and monthly energy graphs. See Simulate yield
3. Consumption & Financial Modeling:
   • Upload site load profiles to calculate self-consumption and grid dependency. See Evaluate production and consumption.
   • Enter CAPEX, OPEX, utility tariffs, and discount rates to generate financial metrics (NPV, IRR, Payback, LCOE). See Create a financial model

Finish the Project

1. Review Overview: Open Project & component overview in the results step to verify ground surface totals, module quantities, installed DC capacity, and table counts. See Review the project and component overview
2. Deliverables:
   • Select Export > PDF report to create a branded project proposal with company logos and key views. See Create a report
   • Select Publish to generate an interactive 3D link with configurable link expiration for client review. See Publish and share a project