solar site selector

[beefheart]

heh up
anybody use one of these, if so how useful, any other similiar tools you use 75 squid is a bit steep but could be worth it?

 

[whlphil]

Such as? Not sure what you mean, do you mean the GIS based map tools?

 

[beefheart]

sorry all i mean the shading and sun tool solar design company sell, they who sell pvsol..

 

[Ramjam]

I went for the solar pathfinder, more expensive but you can photograph the results and work on them off-site in a very scientific manner if required. That said, I haven't used it yet in 30 or so site surveys, it's in the truck in case but I've only ever had one customer who wanted specific answers in a shady place.

 

[whlphil]

Im just considering splashing out on the Soleye focus but at £3K its a bit more than the pathfinder, but its just to simplify the shading problems we inevitably come across on larger jobs - its difficult finding a larger site with no shade at least somewhere!

The guys I know with the pathfinder like it but like you say how often do you need it?

 

[Ramjam]

I sell from SAP calcs so given my location it always works out much better if you use a more acurate tool. I used my pathfinder on Monday to show the client which trees would shade the array so that he could cut them down.

I like the gadget but I wouldn't spend that much money for a tool that would come out so seldom and the pathfinder can do the job but it just takes longer. I figure that that extra time spent with the pathfinder will pay dividends as the customer will perceive it to be a more thorough job???

Like a I say 160 surveys so far and I've needed it once and got it out twice. £350 is ok, £2500 is too much for me.