VIVA-Tech International Journal for Research and Innovation Volume 1, Issue 5 (2022)

ISSN(Online): 2581-7280
VIVA Institute of Technology
10th National Conference on Role of Engineers in Nation Building – 2022 (NCRENB-2022)

Case study of solar generation using

Helioscope
Chitralekha Vangala1
1
(Electrical Engineering, VIVA Institute of Technology/ University of Mumbai, India)

Abstract:HelioScopeisthesolarindustry'sleadingsoftwareplatformfordesigningandanalysisperformance of a
solar plant for a medium to large solar PV plants. In this paper, the authors have designed a grid tied solar PV
based power plant using the actual location of the plant. The main feature of the HelioScope software is the
efficient layout of the arrays and blocks of the panels once the location of the area is set in the software.Also,
wehavetriedtofocusmainly onthevariationofsolarPVoutputalongwiththevariationofthetiltangleofpanels.
Normally, in some particular aresa, tilt angle is adjustedwith respect to the latitude angle of the concentrated
area. But by increasing the tilt angle, a substantial area can be saved which should be utilized to set up more and
more number of solar panels as and when compared to the area required with a normal tilt angle which
progressively enhances the generation capability of the plant and reduce itscost.
Keywords - battery, helioscope, inverter, location, solar generation.
I. INTRODUCTION
Photovoltaic’s (PV) is the conversion of light into electricity using semiconducting materials that exhibit
the photovoltaic effect, a phenomenon studied in physics, photochemistry, and electrochemistry. PV has become
one of the cheapest sources of electrical power in the regions with a very high potential. Panel prices have dropped
by a factor of 10 within one decade. This competitiveness has opened path to a global transition to sustainable
energy, which will be helpful to mitigate global warming. The emission for CO2 to meet the 1.5 degrees target
will be used, if emissions remain in the current level. However, if the use of PV as a main source requires more
energy storage systems or areglobally distributed by High-voltage direct current the power lines will cause
additional costs. PVinstallations are categorized as ground mounted, rooftop mounted, and wall mounted and/or
floating. The mount may be fixed or in use a solar tracker to follow the sun over the sky. Solar PV has specific
advantages as energy source, once installed its operation generates no pollution and greenhouse gas emissions but
its how simple scalability in respect to power needs and silicon has large availability in the Earth. From very old
times, PV systems have been using specialized applications as stand-alone installations. Grid-connected PV
systems have been in use since the 1990’s. Development in the technology field has improved the reliability and
increase in manufacturing scale had reduced the cost and increased the efficiency of the photovoltaic installations.
There are National and international provisions for subsidy and rebate in tariff upon the use of clean and renewable
source of energy generation. Numerous pilot projects did get commissioned under such kind of scheme and are in
operation. These policies kind of enhance the power network and create employment opportunities. This overall
calls for a sustainable society. After hydro & wind powers, PV is the third and most reliable renewable energy
source in terms of global capacity.

II. SOLAR GENERATION MAPPING

Now a day with the advancement in modern technology, we have faster and reliable way of not only
generating electricity from solar cells but also to measure, monitor and optimize the project to its highest
achievable efficiency. The cost of procuring the solar panels has substantially reduced, and the entire budget for
solar project building has come down to record low. Commercial houses as well as domestic utilities have come
forward to show their interest in the development of the project in their personal premises, the reducing their
electricity bill and overall carbon footprints. This sector have created enormous career opportunities for our young
engineers and every day multidimensional technology driven ideas are pouring in into the system to make this
more better and better. Helioscope is one such technology driven tool or application available online, which

www.viva-technology.org/New/IJRI
VIVA-Tech International Journal for Research and Innovation Volume 1, Issue 5 (2022)
ISSN(Online): 2581-7280
VIVA Institute of Technology
10th National Conference on Role of Engineers in Nation Building – 2022 (NCRENB-2022)
III. HELIOSCOPE
Helioscope is an advanced solar project tool launched by Folsom labs of USA in order to organize the solar
project data and allows to formulate proposals much faster It has integrated streamlined layout tools with a powerful
simulation engine. There are options to convert the design to 3D, enabling us to solve most of the challenging design
related issues. We can dynamically edit within 3D mode to see the impact of each change. With this system, we can
generate solar project much faster with more clarity. Quickly determine the optional module layout based on the
rooftop and surrounding obstructions and simulate energy yield based on bankable physics and the array’s physical
design.
IV. PROJECT DESIGN AND CASE STUDY
In this paper a case study in being done on the rooftop of the premises of VIVA Institute of Technology, Virar
west, MH-401305. The figure given below shows the location of this virtual project.

Figure 1: Selection of location

Based on the area of the available in the roof top of the Institute, solar panels are virtually selected and mounted in the
area. There are choice of solar panels available as dropdown menu, from different make e.g. Vikram Solar, ELDORA
etc. from where we can select one. The tilt angle and the height of the mount can then be adjusted according to the
geographical alignment the area. Frame size, module spacing, row spacing Frame spacing can all be adjusted
accordingly. There is a similar dropdown menu for the choices of the inverter. Inverter is the heart of the solar project
and hence need to be chosen carefully.

Figure 2: Selection of solar panel and its design of the electrical parameters

www.viva-technology.org/New/IJRI
VIVA-Tech International Journal for Research and Innovation Volume 1, Issue 5 (2022)
ISSN(Online): 2581-7280
VIVA Institute of Technology
10th National Conference on Role of Engineers in Nation Building – 2022 (NCRENB-2022)
Sequentially, other parameters lie atmospheric condition on the basis of location,can be selested from the options
available in the application . it is very convenient to work with the online version of the application.

Figure 3: Selection of atmosphere conditions according to location

Now days, very smart inverters are available which helps not only in smart conversion but also in remote monitoring.
The ACDB and the DCDB box need to be designed along considering the values that we get from the inverter. Battery
circuit and distribution can be prepare along side that needs.

Figure 4: Selection of inverter

www.viva-technology.org/New/IJRI
VIVA-Tech International Journal for Research and Innovation Volume 1, Issue 5 (2022)
ISSN(Online): 2581-7280
VIVA Institute of Technology
10th National Conference on Role of Engineers in Nation Building – 2022 (NCRENB-2022)

Figure 6: Report generated from helioscope website part 1

11
Figure 7: Report generated from helioscope website part 2

www.viva-technology.org/New/IJRI
VIVA-Tech International Journal for Research and Innovation Volume 1, Issue 5 (2022)
ISSN(Online): 2581-7280
VIVA Institute of Technology
10th National Conference on Role of Engineers in Nation Building – 2022 (NCRENB-2022)

Figure 8: Report generated from helioscope website part 3.

Figure 9: Single line diagram of solar generation to grid.

V. CONCLUSION
This paper shows the successful implementation of helioscope for solar generation of the actual location
i.e.VIVAInstitute of Technology. The detailed report originally taken from the website is showing how the
solar cells an be placed and calculation of the size of inverters and also the selection is shown. From this
above experiment we can also conclude the helioscope website can be used for any location and for any
environment conditions.

www.viva-technology.org/New/IJRI
VIVA-Tech International Journal for Research and Innovation Volume 1, Issue 5 (2022)
ISSN(Online): 2581-7280
VIVA Institute of Technology
10th National Conference on Role of Engineers in Nation Building – 2022 (NCRENB-2022)

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