PV Analyzer Support

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about the PV Analyzer

DOWNLOADS

Solmetric PV Analyzer 1500 (PVA-1500/V2/V3/V4/T/T2/HE/HE2)

The PVA documentation is included in the software and accessed from the “Help” menu. You can use the links below if you want to download the documentation separate from the software.

Installation Troubleshooting

The Solmetric PV Analyzer application works best with fully updated Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems. If not already, make sure the following pre-requisites are installed correctly:

Solmetric PV Analyzer PVA-1000S/600+

Supporting Documents

Data Analysis Tool

The Data Analysis Tool (DAT) is an Excel program that is recommended for validating results in the field, analyzing large PVA data sets, and for generating professional reports of your measurement results.

Note: The DAT works best with current versions of Microsoft Excel on fully updated Windows 10 or Windows 11 operating systems. The source (“exported”) data also needs to be local on the PC.

Solmetric PV Analyzer PVA-600

The PVA documentation is included in the software and accessed from the “Help” menu. You can use the links below if you want to download the documentation separate from the software.

PV Analyzer Report Templates:

Some of your customers may also want a summary of your interpretation of the measures I.V curves and your recommendations for repairs of future services. The templates below provide a convenient format for that purpose. The Excel template is also useful as a “Punch list” for specifying follow-up troubleshooting and retesting of PV circuits.

MS Word template for summarizing your data analysis

MS Excel template for summarizing your data analysis

APPLICATION NOTES/ARTICLES

This article provides an excellent introduction to I-V curve tracers for use in commissioning, auditing and troubleshooting PV arrays.

Field Applications of I-V Curve Tracers
(SolarPro Magazine)

Poor PV source performance hurts the bottom line. Fortunately, performance problems show up in the measured I-V curve. This article describes the six ways that measured I-V curves can deviate from normal curve shape and provides an Array Troubleshooting Flowchart to help you identify the most likely causes.

Interpreting I-V Curve Deviations
(SolarPro Magazine)

This Commissioning Guide outlines methods to use during commissioning to characterize and maximize PV system performance.

Commissioning for PV Performance-- SunSpec Alliance Best Practice Guide

Slides from the expert training on how to effectively and safely use the PV Analyzer. Topics include PVA hardware and
software, as well as PV module and system performance concepts. Voice-over version coming in June.

PV Analyzer Startup Training
(Webinar slides)

The PV Analyzer user saves the I-V curve measurement of a PV string by just touching the corresponding branch of a graphical ‘array tree.’ This Application Note describes use of the Array Navigator, including the Symmetrical Tree Builder, that lets you quickly customize your array tree and name the layers to exactly match the engineering drawings. This improves the reliability of the measurement process in the field and assures that the measurement results will be correctly labeled in your final report.

Building your Array Tree in Array
Navigator

Harnessing is a strategy for reducing the number of combiner boxes and associated feeder runs, as well as the number of string home run conductors, by paralleling strings upstream of the combiner. This note describes two strategies for setting up your Project in the PVA Analyzer software for measuring and evaluating the performance of harnessed arrays.

Measuring I-V Curves in Harnessed
PV Arrays

Care must be taken when selecting what I-V curve measurement architecture to use when measuring high efficiency modules and strings. This app note discusses the challenges and how the Solmetric PV Analyzer avoids the pitfalls.

I-V Curve Tracing of High Efficiency PV Modules

Informational Videos

PVA Data Analysis Tool Quick Start

PVA-600: Intro to I-V Curve Measurements

PVA-600: Setting up the Software and Model

PVA-600: Setting up the I-V Measurement Unit