Once all project objects have been defined—including installation areas, obstructions, and boundaries—you can proceed to design the mechanical layout of your photovoltaic system. This phase involves selecting your module, inverter, and mounting system to create an optimized layout for your installation area(s).
Selecting Mounting Systems and Modules
On the Mechanical Layout tab, begin by specifying the system components for your layout:
Mounting System Selection
Under System Type, Choose the appropriate mounting type for your project from the following options:
- Sloped Roof
- Flat Roof
- Carport
- Ground Mount
Under Manufacturer, you may select either a predefined manufacturer provided and model that comes with the manufacturer informed specifications. If you don’t see your mounting system in the dropdown menu, you can define a custom mounting system. If you select USER DEFINED, you will have control over the following parameters in the middle section of the tab:
- Number of rows and columns
- Tilt angle
- Row spacing
- Pitch
- Landscape and Portrait
- Additional system-specific settings
You also have the ability to select LOAD CONFIG and SAVE CONFIG. This feature is designed set up a specific system configuration and reuse it. To use this feature, simply set up your module and mounting configuration and click SAVE CONFIG, then next time you use PVCAD you can click LOAD CONFIG to find and reuse your configuration.
Module Selection
Select a module from PVCAD’s preloaded database of manufacturer-provided modules. If the required module is not listed:
- Click
DATABASEin the PVCAD ribbon to add a module locally. - Alternatively, email the module specifications to the PVCAD support team at support@pvcomplete.com and we will add this to our global database for you in
Subarrays and Mixed Systems
PVCAD supports the design of projects with multiple installation areas using Subarrays. Subarrays allow you to define unique module types and mounting systems for different zones within the same project. This is particularly useful for hybrid systems that involve multiple roof types, ground mounts, or carports within a single layout.
Creating a Layout
Once your components are selected and subarrays are configured (if applicable), proceed to create your mechanical layout using one of two methods:
1. MAKE LAYOUT
This automated option fills the selected installation area with modules, maximizing capacity based on your selected components and constraints (e.g., obstructions, azimuth, pitch). To use:
- Click the
MAKE LAYOUTbutton. - Click within the installation area and select your desired azimuth by either inserting a number or clicking along the line in which you would like to orient the azimuth.
- PVCAD will generate a module layout that adheres to all defined constraints.
Sometimes the automated fill function does not place modules in every section where you would like them to go to add modules, follow the below steps:
- Click
ADD PANELSat the bottom of the Mechanical Layout tab - Now click a module next to the space where you would like to add modules and drag the cursor into the space to see additional modules appear in a line or across an area of space.
- Click again to accept the additional modules.
When plotting additional modules, PVCAD will not place modules over defined setbacks, shadows, or obstructions. It’s important to use the ADD PANELS and never copy and paste modules, because attempting to copy and paste can break the drawing file. Moreover, the ADD PANELS function always snaps to an existing part of the array, so you don’t have to worry about placing additional modules with absolute precision. unless you override it.
2. CLICK & DRAG
For manual control, use the this feature to place modules interactively:
- Click within the installation area and drag to position modules.
- This option is ideal for custom or irregular designs where automation is not preferred.
Now that you have completed your layout, you are ready to move on to stringing your project and electrical design.
