What you can do with the PV model
The PV model allows you to:
Simulate the expected energy production of a (new or existing) PV system
Compare different configurations (panel orientation, tilt, number of panels, etc.)
See how much production is curtailed (turned off or limited)
Configure prices for internal and external use of the generated solar energy
Configuring a PV installation
To configure a PV installation, you’ll need to enter the following parameters.
1. Capacity of the inverter
What it is: The maximum AC power (kW) that the inverter can deliver.
Default: Set to infinity (no limitation).
How to use it:
Set this to the actual rated capacity of the inverter on site.
If left at infinity, the model assumes the inverter never limits the DC power from the panels (no inverter clipping).
2. Panel orientation
What it is: The direction and layout of the solar panels (e.g. south-facing, east-west, or a specific azimuth).
Why it matters: Orientation affects how much sunlight the panels receive throughout the day and year.
Multiple orientations:
You can add multiple orientation groups within a single PV installation.
Use this if, for example, part of the roof is south-facing and another part is east-west.
3. Tilt angle
What it is: The angle between the panels and the horizontal plane (in degrees).
Why it matters:
An optimal tilt angle maximizes incident solar radiation on the panels.
Too flat or too steep can reduce annual yield.
Set this to the actual mounting angle of the panels on the roof or frame.
4. Watt-peak per panel (Wp)
What it is: The rated maximum power output of a single solar panel under standard test conditions (STC), expressed in watt-peak (Wp).
Why it matters:
Together with the number of panels, it defines the total DC capacity of the PV system.
Example: 400 Wp per panel × 50 panels = 20,000 Wp (20 kWp) total.
5. Number of panels
What it is: The total number of PV modules in the installation.
Why it matters:
More panels = higher potential energy production.
The model uses this together with Wp per panel to calculate total expected DC production.
6. Installation date
What it is: The date from which the PV installation is operational in the model.
Important:
The chart will not generate data before this date.
Choose the real commissioning date of the installation to align with measured data and reports.
Budgets and prices – solar panels
You can define prices to support budgeting, internal settlement, and energy network billing.
Internal price
What it is: The internal value assigned to generated solar energy that is consumed within your own company.
Default: €0.00
How it is used:
This price can be used to allocate an internal value to self-consumed solar energy, for example when reporting costs or benefits per internal cost center.
Note:
The internal price cannot be changed directly by users. It can be adjusted when needed to support specific live EMS situations.
External price
What it is: The price applied when generated solar energy is consumed by another company within the same energy network, for example within an EnergyHub.
How it is used:
This price defines the value of solar energy supplied to other participants in the energy network.
Note:
The external price cannot be changed directly by users. It can be adjusted when needed to accommodate live EMS situations or specific network settlement agreements.
Report and chart explanation
The PV report shows energy generation in 15-minute intervals. The chart visualizes:
Yellow: Maximum possible generation
Green: Actual production after curtailment (what is really produced)
Key metrics
Total production (actual):
The actual generated energy after curtailment, expressed in kWh.
This is the energy that was truly delivered by the PV system in the selected period.
Total production (without turn-off):
The energy the system could have produced if there had been no curtailment or limitation.
This represents the theoretical maximum production based on the weather and configuration.
Total production (missed):
The amount of energy (kWh) that was not produced due to curtailment.
Calculated as the difference between “without turn-off” and “actual” production.
Interaction with the chart
When you zoom in or out over a time period, the totals are automatically recalculated for the visible range.
This allows you to analyze specific days, weeks, or events in more detail.
Existing PV systems in the digital twin
If a PV system is already installed on the building and measured by meters, it must be modeled correctly in the digital twin to avoid double counting.
Avoiding double counting of PV generation
If the main meter already includes the effect of the PV system, and you also add the PV installation as a separate generator in the digital twin, you risk counting the production twice.
To prevent this:
Identify the PV production meter
Use the gross production meter that measures the quarter-hourly PV generation.
Adjust the main meter data
Subtract the quarter-hourly PV production (from the gross production meter) from the main meter data.
This ensures the main meter reflects net building consumption, not including PV generation twice.
Model the PV installation separately
Add the PV installation as its own asset in the digital twin.
The adjusted main meter + separate PV model will then correctly represent the real-world situation.