Help Center
English (US) Deutsch Español Français

Articles in this section

See more

Solar Panel Placement in Design Mode

Avatar
Aurora Solar
  • Updated

Table of Contents

Note: Looking for how to place panels in Sales Mode? Click here.

Overview

Users can choose from a few different methods to place solar panels within Design Mode. Fill roof face and Manually place allow the user to choose where to place panels by filling selected roof faces or by placing panels individually.

AutoDesigner automatically places panels, taking into account all the default solar panel settings, and can run in two different target modes, Energy and Max Fit. Energy mode adds panels to optimally meet an energy target/offset and strings/connects the panels together. Max Fit mode will fill the entire roof and does not connect the panels.

Solar Panel Settings

Users within Design Mode can control how panels are placed using the inspector tool accessible when clicking on Panels or AutoDesigner in the System toolbar.

Default settings are managed by admins in the account Settings. Any changes made in Design Mode when placing panels will stay the same for that user and that design, even if they exit and return to the design later. Users can revert to default settings at any time by clicking on “Reset to setting defaults” at the bottom of the inspector. Solar Panels in Design Mode will snap in place based on default row and column spacing, as well as adapt to any changes made to default settings for that design and user. More about changing default solar panel settings here.

Note: Account default settings for solar panels are managed by the admin and apply to both Sales Mode and Design Mode.

Placing panels with Fill roof face or Manually place

Users who want to place panels using Fill roof face or Manually place, can do so by:

  1. Click System.
  2. Hover over Panels, then select Module.
  3. In the Place panels inspector at the right side of the screen, the default solar panel settings will be listed.
    a) You can continue with these or make adjustments. Any adjustments stay the same for that user and that design, even if they exit and return to the design later
    b) If at any time you want to return to the default settings, you can select Reset to setting defaults at the bottom of the inspector.
  1. In the banner that appears at the top of the screen, select Fill roof face or Manually place. Users can easily switch between the two methods as needed.
    a) Fill roof face - select the roof face or faces you want to fill with panels.
    b)     Manually - select the specific spot you want to place a single panel or click and drag your mouse to place multiple panels
  1. Click or press Esc when finished to exit placing panels.

image1.png

Placing panels with AutoDesigner

Users who want to place panels using AutoDesigner, can do so by:

  1. Click System.
  2. Click AutoDesigner.
  3. The AutoDesigner Preset inspector will appear on the right side of the screen and the default solar panel settings will be listed (under Panels). 
  4. Target energy (annual)  and Solar Panels must be filled out to run AutoDesigner.
    a) If you are running AutoDesigner in Energy Mode, you also have to select a String inverter or Microinverter.
    b) You are able to make adjustments to the other settings as needed. Any changes you make will stay the same for this design, even if you exit the inspector or leave the design, and return to it at a later time.
  1. Once you’ve adjusted all your settings as needed, click on Run AutoDesigner.

Related articles