MCS Guide to the installation of Photovoltaic systems (shading analysis)

[Gavin A]

Look at summary of methods PVSOL at bottom of page

but section 8 then states that you have to transfer the information from PVSOL onto an MCS horizon chart, then use the MCS method to calculate shading, so you can't just use PVSOL to calculate the shading.

Step 4 … transfer data onto MCS chart (using same method employed for basic compass method)

 

[jason121]

Yes. Keep up the fight.

 

[Gavin A]

tbf, that does at least answer the health and safety criticism, although they really need to make that clearer in the guidance.

The issue remains around the inaccuracy of their method then.

 

[Worcester]

Well if any of you have been using the Sunpath Indicator / Solar Shading Meter from test-meter.co.uk here's the foil as shown in the new shading guide :
Moderator - do you want to move this post and make it a sticky?
View attachment sss-foil-mcsaid-V3-rp.pdf I've rebundled it as originally it was 2.5mb


the foil is a free download from here: MCS Shading Method - Download free MCS-aid foil from The Solar Design Company

 

[jason121]

I shall be using the trig calculation. That way I don't have hang out a window. transfer onto midsummer shade tool online.

 

[Worcester]

Can you get the Misdsummer tool to work? I use firefox, and it's stuck at 18%

 

[solarsavings]

I'm about to dump firefox as nothing seems to work as it should or used to:banghead:

 

[midsummerenergy]

Hi Worcester

Thank you for sharing the foil.

Sorry if the performance tool is sticking using Firefox. Let me know if you are having any particular issues with it. The software has been tested on all browsers but works best on Chrome or the most up to date versions of Firefox and Internet Explorer.

Midsummer

Can you get the Misdsummer tool to work? I use firefox, and it's stuck at 18%

 

[solarecosse]

hi everyone im struggling to understand something im using the mcs sunpath diagram, and what i cant understand is it tells u to stand at a window to view any obstructions right but what if the only thing causing shading is a chiminie or sky dish how r u ment to put that on ur chart from a window

 

[The Solar King]

There are two downloadable guides to using the MCS method on the MCS website.

Best bet is to triangulate their position from the ground. There is methodology available in the guides on how to calculate the distance in height. Close shading objects are represented with a circle covering more squares.

Alternatively invest in expert system software such as PVSol or PVSyst and back calculate from that.

As this thread shows the estimation method is cumbersome and not that accurate. It wastes time, but for now we are stuck with it.

 

[Gavin A]

hi everyone im struggling to understand something im using the mcs sunpath diagram, and what i cant understand is it tells u to stand at a window to view any obstructions right but what if the only thing causing shading is a chiminie or sky dish how r u ment to put that on ur chart from a window

I believe the recommended method is to levitate.

Alternatively use 3d modelling and tell MCS to mind their own business if they can't come up with a workable method themselves that doesn't actually involve having to access the roof to pay anything more than lip service to accuracy.

 

[solarecosse]

hi will i have to to use the solar shading meter tool with the midsummer software thanks