Vela Solaris Polysun User Manual
Polysun is a software that enables users to effectively simulate solar-thermal, photovoltaic and geothermal systems. This manual provides users with extensive operating instructions that will allow them to profitably take advantage of the wide range of functions provided by Polysun.
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User Manual
© 2014 Vela Solaris AG | www.velasolaris.com
© 2014 Vela Solaris AG | www.velasolaris.com
Contents
1 Introduction to Polysun .............................................................................................................. 3
2 Basic Structure of Polysun ......................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Management of projects, templates and variants ................................................................... 4
2.2 Reference variants .................................................................................................................. 4
2.3 User levels .............................................................................................................................. 6
3 General Notions: Solar Energy ................................................................................................... 7
3.1 Efficiency and orientation of the collector............................................................................. 7
3.2 The path of the sun in the period of a day/year...................................................................... 8
3.3 Horizon .................................................................................................................................. 9
4 Photovoltaics ............................................................................................................................ 10
4.1 Definition of a PV field ....................................................................................................... 11
4.2 Solar-module parameters ..................................................................................................... 12
4.3 Temperature effect and rear ventilation ............................................................................... 12
4.4 Degradation and soiling ....................................................................................................... 13
4.5 Results .................................................................................................................................. 13
4.6 Inverter configuration .......................................................................................................... 13
4.7 Electric consumers and internal grid ................................................................................... 15
4.8 Batteries ............................................................................................................................... 16
4.9 Grid-connected or off-grid systems ..................................................................................... 20
5 Thermal systems ....................................................................................................................... 21
5.1 Solar fractions ...................................................................................................................... 21
5.2 Denominations and representation of the results ................................................................. 22
5.3 Fluid transport ...................................................................................................................... 35
5.4 Solar thermal energy: basic principles, collector types and models .................................... 36
5.4 Heat pumps and geothermal components ............................................................................ 46
5.5 General components of a heating loop................................................................................. 57
5.6 Cooling systems ................................................................................................................... 76
5.7 Consumers ........................................................................................................................... 84
5.8 Ice storage tanks ................................................................................................................... 93
6 Cogenerators ............................................................................................................................. 94
6.1 Power modulation ................................................................................................................ 94
6.2 Method of operation............................................................................................................. 94
6.3 Cogenerator controller ......................................................................................................... 94
7 Controllers ................................................................................................................................ 96
8 Economic viability.................................................................................................................. 150
8.1 Calculation basis ................................................................................................................ 151
9 Tips and tricks to work with Designer.................................................................................... 154
9.1 Adapting a template ........................................................................................................... 154
9.2 Designing a new system scheme ....................................................................................... 154
9.3 Controller settings .............................................................................................................. 154
9.4 Trouble-shooting ................................................................................................................ 156
9.5 Labels ................................................................................................................................. 161
10 References .............................................................................................................................. 162
1 Introduction to Polysun .............................................................................................................. 3
2 Basic Structure of Polysun ......................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Management of projects, templates and variants ................................................................... 4
2.2 Reference variants .................................................................................................................. 4
2.3 User levels .............................................................................................................................. 6
3 General Notions: Solar Energy ................................................................................................... 7
3.1 Efficiency and orientation of the collector............................................................................. 7
3.2 The path of the sun in the period of a day/year...................................................................... 8
3.3 Horizon .................................................................................................................................. 9
4 Photovoltaics ............................................................................................................................ 10
4.1 Definition of a PV field ....................................................................................................... 11
4.2 Solar-module parameters ..................................................................................................... 12
4.3 Temperature effect and rear ventilation ............................................................................... 12
4.4 Degradation and soiling ....................................................................................................... 13
4.5 Results .................................................................................................................................. 13
4.6 Inverter configuration .......................................................................................................... 13
4.7 Electric consumers and internal grid ................................................................................... 15
4.8 Batteries ............................................................................................................................... 16
4.9 Grid-connected or off-grid systems ..................................................................................... 20
5 Thermal systems ....................................................................................................................... 21
5.1 Solar fractions ...................................................................................................................... 21
5.2 Denominations and representation of the results ................................................................. 22
5.3 Fluid transport ...................................................................................................................... 35
5.4 Solar thermal energy: basic principles, collector types and models .................................... 36
5.4 Heat pumps and geothermal components ............................................................................ 46
5.5 General components of a heating loop................................................................................. 57
5.6 Cooling systems ................................................................................................................... 76
5.7 Consumers ........................................................................................................................... 84
5.8 Ice storage tanks ................................................................................................................... 93
6 Cogenerators ............................................................................................................................. 94
6.1 Power modulation ................................................................................................................ 94
6.2 Method of operation............................................................................................................. 94
6.3 Cogenerator controller ......................................................................................................... 94
7 Controllers ................................................................................................................................ 96
8 Economic viability.................................................................................................................. 150
8.1 Calculation basis ................................................................................................................ 151
9 Tips and tricks to work with Designer.................................................................................... 154
9.1 Adapting a template ........................................................................................................... 154
9.2 Designing a new system scheme ....................................................................................... 154
9.3 Controller settings .............................................................................................................. 154
9.4 Trouble-shooting ................................................................................................................ 156
9.5 Labels ................................................................................................................................. 161
10 References .............................................................................................................................. 162
User Manual Polysun 3 / 162
1 Introduction to Polysun
Polysun is a software that enables users to effectively simulate solar-thermal, photovoltaic and
geothermal systems. This manual provides users with extensive operating instructions that will
allow them to profitably take advantage of the wide range of functions provided by Polysun. In the
following pages of this handbook you will find detailed descriptions of the single components as
well as comprehensive information on the models on which they are based. Technical issues on the
use of Polysun are dealt with in greater detail in a separate document (this can be obtained directly
from the software by pressing the F1 button).
Tip: for quick user reference most functions, buttons, etc have been fitted with exhaustive tool-
tips. Simply place and rest the pointer on the required item to view a short description of the
relevant item.
1 Introduction to Polysun
Polysun is a software that enables users to effectively simulate solar-thermal, photovoltaic and
geothermal systems. This manual provides users with extensive operating instructions that will
allow them to profitably take advantage of the wide range of functions provided by Polysun. In the
following pages of this handbook you will find detailed descriptions of the single components as
well as comprehensive information on the models on which they are based. Technical issues on the
use of Polysun are dealt with in greater detail in a separate document (this can be obtained directly
from the software by pressing the F1 button).
Tip: for quick user reference most functions, buttons, etc have been fitted with exhaustive tool-
tips. Simply place and rest the pointer on the required item to view a short description of the
relevant item.
User Manual Polysun 4 / 162
2 Basic Structure of Polysun
2.1 Management of projects, templates and variants
In Polysun the project defines the indications on the location and on the consumers of the solar
energy system. It also contains diverse variants. The project can be started from the menu Project –
New project or by means of the Project Wizard. You can save a project with the function Project –
Save project.
The variant defines all of the components and connections of the solar energy system. A variant
can be created in the Variant – Create new variant menu (at the Designer level), by means of the
Variant Wizard or, if a template is visualized, with Add template to project. It is possible to
simulate each variant individually and to visualize the results. The variant is always included in a
project and can be only saved together with it. Normally different variants are considered in order
to make comparison and optimize the project.
Polysun makes available a series of pre-defined templates. The template defines (as the variant) a
solar energy system. The templates can be inserted into the project, and they are then indicated as
variants and can therefore be modified or simulated.
2.2 Reference variants
Polysun allows the use of reference variants for the analysis and enhancement of solar energy
templates
Figure 1: folder-tree with project and templates
project
variants
2 Basic Structure of Polysun
2.1 Management of projects, templates and variants
In Polysun the project defines the indications on the location and on the consumers of the solar
energy system. It also contains diverse variants. The project can be started from the menu Project –
New project or by means of the Project Wizard. You can save a project with the function Project –
Save project.
The variant defines all of the components and connections of the solar energy system. A variant
can be created in the Variant – Create new variant menu (at the Designer level), by means of the
Variant Wizard or, if a template is visualized, with Add template to project. It is possible to
simulate each variant individually and to visualize the results. The variant is always included in a
project and can be only saved together with it. Normally different variants are considered in order
to make comparison and optimize the project.
Polysun makes available a series of pre-defined templates. The template defines (as the variant) a
solar energy system. The templates can be inserted into the project, and they are then indicated as
variants and can therefore be modified or simulated.
2.2 Reference variants
Polysun allows the use of reference variants for the analysis and enhancement of solar energy
templates
Figure 1: folder-tree with project and templates
project
variants
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Key Features
- Simulate solar-thermal, photovoltaic and geothermal systems
- Provides extensive operating instructions
- Detailed descriptions of the single components
- Comprehensive information on the models on which they are based
- Technical issues on the use of Polysun
- Extensive tooltips for most functions, buttons, etc.
Related manuals
Frequently Answers and Questions
What is Polysun?
Polysun is a software that enables users to effectively simulate solar-thermal, photovoltaic and geothermal systems.
What is included in the user manual?
This manual provides users with extensive operating instructions, detailed descriptions of the single components, comprehensive information on the models on which components are based, and technical issues on the use of Polysun.
How can I get help with technical issues?
A separate document is available directly from the software by pressing the F1 button.
How can I find out more about functions, buttons, etc.?
Most functions have exhaustive tooltips; simply place and rest the pointer on the required item to view a short description.
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