Solmetric or other Ipad /android Solar pathfinder app

[cebury]

Is the Solmetric iPV app no longer available? Google searches show old reviews & docs, no links on the solmetric site and the App store on the iPad isn't finding it.

Is there another reasonably accurate tool for shade analysis I can buy <$40 to see if central string really works for my site & what derates for shading to include in pvwatts? I have an iPad and Android phone (no iPhone).

In choosing between two installers, each is vastly different on their pricing of string vs. SE. They are opposites: each is low in one area vs. high in the other. Off by like 10%. I need to verify my own results because 1) they do a shading analysis after deposit, 2) results may be skewed toward their preferred option (as they may lose the deal completely).

[sensij]

I see you're in central CA, did you check to see if Project Sunroof covers your address? Supposedly, it will recognize shade from trees and other structures.

If the shade producing objects you are worried about can be characterized and sketched, NREL's SAM (System Advisor Model) has a 3d shade modelling engine built into it.

Beyond that, I had success recovering my deposit when I went with an installer and did not like the design they provided. It cost me time, but nothing more. Before you sign the contract and make the deposit, make sure there is a clear path for canceling / refund based on your design approval. I think most reputable installers will agree to it.

[cebury]

Here is project sunroof results. projectsunroof.jpg

I guess what it's saying is the west trees will definitely have *some* shading at some point in the season. And the southeastern trees, which are extremely tall, don't project shadows onto the roof past much of the rim. Yet as of today, said shading is only 1 foot away the bottom roof line (flows north across the backyard). As the sun follows the arc lower, it should hit the roof in a week?.

Also, that pic is over 4 years old which means the trees should've grown since then. They certainly don't seem trimmed.

I guess it's good enough for central string. Installer really pushing for solar edge.

I could install that huge SAM app, but it does seem unwieldy and a full-featured learning curve when all I really want is to take my phone/ipad and follow along the horizon and help it sketch out the shadowing, then give me derate figures by month (like the old CSI EPBB website used to ask for).

I wonder why Solmetric app got dropped. Maybe too many DIYers asking too many questions annoyed them, like folks did with Enphase site.

[J.P.M.]

Here is project sunroof results. [ATTACH]7955[/ATTACH]

I guess what it's saying is the west trees will definitely have *some* shading at some point in the season. And the southeastern trees, which are extremely tall, don't project shadows onto the roof past much of the rim. Yet as of today, said shading is only 1 foot away the bottom roof line (flows north across the backyard). As the sun follows the arc lower, it should hit the roof in a week?.

Also, that pic is over 4 years old which means the trees should've grown since then. They certainly don't seem trimmed.

I guess it's good enough for central string. Installer really pushing for solar edge.

I could install that huge SAM app, but it does seem unwieldy and a full-featured learning curve when all I really want is to take my phone/ipad and follow along the horizon and help it sketch out the shadowing, then give me derate figures by month (like the old CSI EPBB website used to ask for).

I wonder why Solmetric app got dropped. Maybe too many DIYers asking too many questions annoyed them, like folks did with Enphase site.

SAM is a good tool, but unless you're somewhat to moderately solar savvy, or have the time and curiosity in that direction to learn, it may not be worth the likely required time investment for the sake of a shading analysis.

[solardreamer]

Here is project sunroof results. [ATTACH]7955[/ATTACH]

I guess what it's saying is the west trees will definitely have *some* shading at some point in the season. And the southeastern trees, which are extremely tall, don't project shadows onto the roof past much of the rim. Yet as of today, said shading is only 1 foot away the bottom roof line (flows north across the backyard). As the sun follows the arc lower, it should hit the roof in a week?.

Also, that pic is over 4 years old which means the trees should've grown since then. They certainly don't seem trimmed.

I guess it's good enough for central string. Installer really pushing for solar edge.

I could install that huge SAM app, but it does seem unwieldy and a full-featured learning curve when all I really want is to take my phone/ipad and follow along the horizon and help it sketch out the shadowing, then give me derate figures by month (like the old CSI EPBB website used to ask for).

I wonder why Solmetric app got dropped. Maybe too many DIYers asking too many questions annoyed them, like folks did with Enphase site.

I tried the Project Sunroof tool and found it to be pretty useless. Not sure how many installers you have talked to but I was able to easily get a couple installers to do SunEye analysis for free without deposit. The SunEye reports are much more accurate. However, be aware that installers may interpret the results in a favorable manner as they are trying to sell you a solar system. I found their assessment of shading impact to be low and I have had to do some aggressive tree trimming at extra cost to get more acceptable shading impact.

[cebury]

I guess Solmetric is no longer producing any SunEye hardware nor their ipad app. Not sure why.

Yeah obviously project sunroof (thanks for link sensij) is just for getting a general idea if you have no idea where shading lies (yikes) or it can confirm the outer ranges (no shade vs. heavy shade). The in-between is the issue.

The only app I could find for Android, and there were very few for Ipad, was Solar Shades @ $16. The default horizon tracing method was simple and seems accurate, but I'm inexperienced.

Here is an example of (my) output: solarshades_1.jpg mapped from the only corner where shading will occur (75% of panels have 0 shade).

Their production numbers solarshades_2.jpg look wrong to me despite having almost no shade in June. PVWatts always show May-July as highest producing months in standard bell curve.

[Naptown]

I guess Solmetric is no longer producing any SunEye hardware nor their ipad app. Not sure why.

Yeah obviously project sunroof (thanks for link sensij) is just for getting a general idea if you have no idea where shading lies (yikes) or it can confirm the outer ranges (no shade vs. heavy shade). The in-between is the issue.

The only app I could find for Android, and there were very few for Ipad, was Solar Shades @ $16. The default horizon tracing method was simple and seems accurate, but I'm inexperienced.

Here is an example of (my) output: [ATTACH]7986[/ATTACH] mapped from the only corner where shading will occur (75% of panels have 0 shade).

Their production numbers [ATTACH]7987[/ATTACH] look wrong to me despite having almost no shade in June. PVWatts always show May-July as highest producing months in standard bell curve.

Like Zep mounting, Solmetric was bought by Solar City and they pulled the devices off the market. So now only Solar city has access to them.
I have heard some have been on ebay at obscene prices used