"Could you have them make a simple two line graph of the outside temperature, noting sun/clouds,…"
Computer-based Solar Design Tools
With climate changes and rising energy prices, many designers, builders, remodelers, and homeowners now realize that building-integrated solar can be particularly cost-effective in tandem with super-efficiency, providing measurable savings to owners. The bottom line: Solar energy is back in a big way, but the only means of determining which measures are most cost-effective is to undertake computer energy modeling, preferably with a flexible software tool that provides consistent, understandable results. There are several results-oriented solar-design tools that I have found to be useful in providing practical solutions to common design problems.
See: "Solar-Design Tools for Green Building" by Bion Howard, Home
Energy, Solar & Efficiency Special
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dan Kuthy on -
At PVPower, we're in the process of developing some simple, accurate and easy-to-use solar design, planning and proposal tools. The first portion the software, System Designer, is available at http://systemdesigner.pvpower.com - I'd love to hear if anyone has feedback.
System Designer takes roof size and a few other factors and builds working module and inverter combinations.
Regards,
Dan -
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