Solar Shading
$9.99
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About Solar Shading
Shading is a major concern for solar panel installations. It causes panel hot spots as well as diminishes the output of an array.
The Solar Shading app lets a photovoltaic installer/designer complete a solar shading analysis in just a couple of minutes. The app uses your phone's compass, GPS and accelerometer to map the horizon or obstructions. Simply complete a 360 degree turn while tilting the phone to keep the top of any shading obstruction in the crosshairs.
This app gives a graphical representation of the sun path as well as a chart to see what percent of daily hours are lost per month and a kWh output graph.
The kWh output graph can be configured to use PVWatts data for an accurate kWh output or calculated using only the incident angle of the graph to model monthly dips in production due to array tilt angle.
This analysis can be printed to PDF and sent to yourself or a client. Multiple shading analyses can be performed and saved to the user's SD card.
Additional Features:
1) Create a PDF report showing the sun path, solar losses and output graphs
2) Create a shading output file for use with SAM and PVSyst models
3) Export graphs and location to Google earth file
4) View site location in Google Maps
5) Add overlay image to sun path graph
6) "Clip" portions of the sunpath graph to model multiple "What if" scenarios
7) Solar compass for quick site assessment
8) Create a PDF comparison report to compare multiple jobs against each other
9) Use PVWatts data to calculate kWh output (be sure to get a PVWatts key if necessary https://developer.nrel.gov/signup)
Please read the directions in the menu as the horizon mapping process may not be self evident.
App provides a compass for quick reference when on a site.
Three things to note with this app:
1) Your phones SD card must be mounted for this program to function properly (if the phone has an SD card).
2) All of the calculations are done on the phone locally so that the app can be used in remote locations, however, this means that on devices with lower processing speeds the calculations will take a while to process.
3) You need to have an internet connection when you start the app for a license check.
If you are having trouble figuring out how to map the horizon please e-mail.
Recommended devices include: 1GHz processor, 512MB RAM. Supported on most tablets that don't have a default landscape orientation.
Please e-mail any questions, comments or concerns. If you like the app please rate it, if not please send an e-mail and let us know why so that we can make the necessary changes.
The Solar Shading app lets a photovoltaic installer/designer complete a solar shading analysis in just a couple of minutes. The app uses your phone's compass, GPS and accelerometer to map the horizon or obstructions. Simply complete a 360 degree turn while tilting the phone to keep the top of any shading obstruction in the crosshairs.
This app gives a graphical representation of the sun path as well as a chart to see what percent of daily hours are lost per month and a kWh output graph.
The kWh output graph can be configured to use PVWatts data for an accurate kWh output or calculated using only the incident angle of the graph to model monthly dips in production due to array tilt angle.
This analysis can be printed to PDF and sent to yourself or a client. Multiple shading analyses can be performed and saved to the user's SD card.
Additional Features:
1) Create a PDF report showing the sun path, solar losses and output graphs
2) Create a shading output file for use with SAM and PVSyst models
3) Export graphs and location to Google earth file
4) View site location in Google Maps
5) Add overlay image to sun path graph
6) "Clip" portions of the sunpath graph to model multiple "What if" scenarios
7) Solar compass for quick site assessment
8) Create a PDF comparison report to compare multiple jobs against each other
9) Use PVWatts data to calculate kWh output (be sure to get a PVWatts key if necessary https://developer.nrel.gov/signup)
Please read the directions in the menu as the horizon mapping process may not be self evident.
App provides a compass for quick reference when on a site.
Three things to note with this app:
1) Your phones SD card must be mounted for this program to function properly (if the phone has an SD card).
2) All of the calculations are done on the phone locally so that the app can be used in remote locations, however, this means that on devices with lower processing speeds the calculations will take a while to process.
3) You need to have an internet connection when you start the app for a license check.
If you are having trouble figuring out how to map the horizon please e-mail.
Recommended devices include: 1GHz processor, 512MB RAM. Supported on most tablets that don't have a default landscape orientation.
Please e-mail any questions, comments or concerns. If you like the app please rate it, if not please send an e-mail and let us know why so that we can make the necessary changes.
All Application Badges
Paid
app
app
Android app
App History & Updates
Price update Price changed from $9.99 to $13.00.
Price update Price changed from $9.99 to $13.00.
Price update Price changed from $9.99 to $13.00.
Price update Price changed from $9.99 to $13.00.
What are users saying about Solar Shading
M
by M####:
by M####:
Fine tool for the price. The compass seemed to work better after I removed phone from case. My single query to developer has not been answered, likely because there is no elegant solution to account for partial shading from deciduous trees.
M
by M####:
by M####:
Did get email support but app never provided any useful reporting. Compared this to Solmetrics Suneye, not even close regarding shading.
J
by J####:
by J####:
It keeps crashing, especially when I am up on the roof!
M
by M####:
by M####:
Would not map anything resembling a sun-path diagram.
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
Needs to be re invented. Like with your camera in panoramic mode you should sweep either west to east or visa versa. The noise it makes when mapping the horizon irritates me. Maybe generate a PDF report with an image of the horizon together with an over lay of the sun path. Come on, get creative and make it better.
Z
by Z####:
by Z####:
Easy to use
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
Mapping feature is cool, but once the horizon was mapped, the phone failed to calculate the annual sun hour losses. Just a spinning progress indicator.
K
by K####:
by K####:
My only question is that the report shows decreasing shading during the summer but also decreased energy production.
Q
by Q####:
by Q####:
It is not worth. Crash a lot , it gives wrong calculation
Y
by Y####:
by Y####:
Simple but it does the job.
X
by X####:
by X####:
Took about a day of playing around to get it to work. Needs a southern hemisphere button. Not able to bring up a linked map. Takes a while to get used to just tilting and holding in landscape. Probably easier with a tripod holder to rotate and tilt. Good value when finally get it to work.
X
by X####:
by X####:
While my phone did crash when using the app and I wasn't able to use it, support was great! I think my problem was more an Android issue. Would have been great to use for my diy solar install if my phone didn't crash.
L
by L####:
by L####:
This app does have some useful features, like compass, tilt, winter and summer solstices, but the map horizon feature does not work well at all, at least with trees. Maybe it works better with solid obstacles. I wouldn't use these projections for anything, unfortunately. I would pay $50 for an app that truly works, but so far this is not it.
X
by X####:
by X####:
Compass Dosnt show correct direction shows south as east plus gritters all over the place, and can find a calibration button, not at all easy to use will be looking for my money back
J
by J####:
by J####:
It works very well hands down
A
by A####:
by A####:
The interface (GUI) is poorly done, the compass is off around 90 degrees, and cannot hold a steady heading.
Q
by Q####:
by Q####:
Compass Dosnt show correct direction shows south as east plus gritters all over the place, and can find a calibration button, not at all easy to use will be looking for my money back
W
by W####:
by W####:
Slow to process the data collected
O
by O####:
by O####:
V6.0 does not work for different slopes. The basic curve in the app shows best performance at 90 degrees slope? Please correct the curve for different slopes in line with PV watts as requested. *Version 6.1 corrected this issue. Thank you.
U
by U####:
by U####:
I write as an ordinary consumer, not an installer. I was trying to calculate whether it is worth my while lopping some trees that shade my PV panels in the winter months. What I thought was going to a very complicated calculation no longer has to tax my brain cells: this does it all! Well done, Comoving!! Worth £10 many times over! Thank you.
S
by S####:
by S####:
This app saved my skin, made me look like a hero after being sent out to survey and area for solar powered camera on a construction site. Thanks Dev!
U
by U####:
by U####:
It's a solid little app, but takes a while to learn. I ended up using the advanced methods. I think the instructions could be made a bit clearer which could help. Nevertheless, I got there in the end. It shows what trees I need to chop down to prevent shading. It would be great if it could take a panorama photo and superimpose the solar paths on that.....maybe an idea for the future!
D
by D####:
by D####:
Very accurate. The developer was very helpful. I've tested against an industry standard shade analysis tool, and the results are very close.
X
by X####:
by X####:
Love it but was concerned when the last update said it wanted to make phone calls and record audio. Exiting update and going back in made it disappear
M
by M####:
by M####:
Nice app. Works well after reading manual...site assessment is complicated. Developer is very responsive.
R
by R####:
by R####:
Dev was fast to respond to my email. Gonna give the app another try with his recommendations and see what results I get.
U
by U####:
by U####:
Non intuitive. Doesn't work.
I
by I####:
by I####:
Pretty cool app, totally abusing it to plan out a garden location.
T
by T####:
by T####:
This app is user friendly and a good tool for PV design.
S
by S####:
by S####:
Great app...love the convenience
U
by U####:
by U####:
I love THIS APP. difficult to figure out, but the dev was super helpful.
U
by U####:
by U####:
Awesome!
by M####:
Error and shuts down every use. Accidently charged twice to boot. Would love a refund.