Configurating your rack systems

Once you have established a layout boundary and the necessary objects or zones, you can proceed to specify the racks for your project.

You have the flexibility to design a new Rack, duplicating an existing one and adjusting its properties as needed or deleting an existing one.

To create a new rack, click on the Rack configurator option in the main ribbon. This will open a popup window displaying all available settings for racks. Click on the + icon and you will be prompted to enter a name for your new rack.

Parameters

To define the parameters of a rack, begin by selecting the type of rack you wish to use. You can choose from the following configurations: Single, East-West and Tracker.

In the upper section of the Side View, you can see how the rack representation updates as you switch between different rack types.

These configurations also enable additional layouts, such as inverted East–West arrays (using negative values) or near-vertical PV systems (with tilt angles up to 89°), by adjusting the Tilt Angle parameter located toward the end of the settings list.

Then you can continue selecting the solar module you wish to utilize. Click on the three dots located next to the Module name, which will open a popup window. In this window, you can browse and choose from the available modules in our solar module database. To streamline your search, you have the option to filter modules by brand, type, and power, ensuring you find the ideal module for your project. Once you have selected your preferred module, simply click OK to confirm your choice.

If you want to learn where to manage your module database click here

Then, you can select the Module orientation of your panels, choosing either Landscape or Portrait to best suit your design needs.

The next step is to specify the number of Columns and Rows that will determine the size of your rack.

Below this line, you will find the Length/Depth values, where you can verify the actual size of your rack based on the parameters entered and compare it with your original design or blueprints.

You also have the option to modify the Module spacing, as well as the distance from the rack to the modules (Offset Rack Edge). This last one is optional.

Depending on the rack system selected, you can then define the distance from the ground to the lowest part of the rack and the distance from the ground to the highest part. In the example shown, we proceed with a tracker system. In this case, you only need to specify a single value: Top side height which is the distance from the ground to the highest part of the rack when it is at 0° tilt.

You can then define the Tilt angle, which determines the inclination of the modules on the rack. This angle represents the slope of the modules in relation to the horizontal plane. For the selected tracker system, this value represents the maximum tilt angle in both directions of the tracker’s rotation.

For all rack systems you can choose the Rack Color to match your design preferences.

Tracker System:

You will find three additional input options at the end, allowing you to define extra gaps within your rack, specify the Motor Gap Size, and set how these gaps are distributed relative to the overall rack length.

Motor Gap Size defines the exact space reserved for the motor between module groups. When a motor gap is configured, an “M” inside a circle appears in the rack view to indicate its position.

Gap Size defines the width of additional gaps between module groups.

Gap definitions specify how the previously defined gaps are distributed along the rack. For example, in the configuration 5-5-M-5-5, the sequence represents: 5 modules, a gap, 5 modules, a motor gap, 5 modules, a gap, 5 modules. This behavior is also described in the information icon next to the Gap definitions label, as shown below.

For a clearer view of the rack you are creating or modifying, use the tools in the upper-right corner of the window to zoom in and out.

Once you have made your selection, click OK to save your changes.

Whenever you create a new rack, it will be saved in your database for future reference. To access your saved racks, simply click on the three dots located in the Rack Settings panel.

You can also duplicate an existing rack by selecting the following icon. When doing so, you will need to assign a unique name to the cloned rack and make any necessary adjustments to the parameters to fit your project's requirements.

To remove a rack from the database, select it from the list and click the trash icon.

If you now want to learn about the placement process press here