The European C&I solar market is expanding rapidly, with top markets like Germany, France, and Italy driving significant capacity growth. By 2030, the sector is expected to more than double, offering both opportunities and challenges for solar developers. Efficiency and accuracy are crucial to meet this growing demand. Discover how PVcase Roof Mount automates and optimizes C&I rooftop solar development while overcoming key obstacles.
C&I solar challenges
80% of rooftop solar projects experience delays due to design and installation inefficiencies. Let’s have a look at the key stallers:
1. Complex roofs and shading. Unlike traditional flat roofs, C&I buildings feature varying slopes, orientations, and obstructions such as chimneys, skylights, HVAC units. These factors make maximizing solar coverage while minimizing shading losses difficult.
2. Stringing and cabling. Manually designed electrical layouts with improper stringing often lead to energy losses, higher material costs, and installation inefficiencies.
3. Lack of accurate early-stage energy simulations. Imprecise yield calculations can lead to inaccurate project ROI estimates. Miscalculations in expected solar performance may arise from inconsistent or overly simplified shading and irradiance models.
Meet the growing demand and tackle C&I rooftop obstacles
In a competitive market with multiple companies bidding on projects, precision, speed, and optimization are vital. PVcase Roof Mount helps maximize layout efficiency and streamline the C&I rooftop design process. How can this solution help you meet demand and address common challenges?
1. 3D design. PVcase Roof Mount works in AutoCAD, offering precise module placement, roof modeling, and measurement. It provides a 3D project view, enhancing visualization of complex layouts compared to traditional 2D tools.
2. Advanced shading analysis. Ray-tracing-based shading analysis simulates year-round sunlight exposure in hourly increments, providing precise irradiance and shading data to enable optimal panel placement and stringing.
3. Automated electrical design. PVcase Roof Mount’s stringing algorithms enable engineers to generate optimized string layouts in minutes instead of hours. The automated cable tray and cabling feature simplifies wire routing, and reduces material miscalculations and voltage drop risks.
4. Early-stage energy simulation. The software conducts energy yield assessments during the design process, eliminating manual data transfers and providing faster, more accurate simulations compared to other tools.
Bottom line
PVcase Roof Mount empowers developers and engineers with state-of-the-art design tools. It enables users to master complex geometries, optimize electrical layouts, and deliver high-performance solar installations faster than ever.
Commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftop PV systems are on the rise across Europe and are a key driver of the rapidly growing European solar market, which added around 65 GW last year. Germany leads the way with 3.6GW to be added by 2024, followed by Italy (2.0GW), France (1.9GW), the Netherlands (1.7GW) and Spain (1.6GW). By the end of 2024, a total of 104 GW of C&I rooftop systems will have been installed in the EU. Bloomberg New Energy Finance expects this market segment to double to a total of 207 GW by 2030 (a CAGR of 12%).
However, as Tadas Spundzevicius, Technical Sales Manager at PVcase, explained in the webinar, the design and engineering of large-scale commercial and industrial rooftop PV installations presents a number of challenges. For example, large roofs to be fitted with PV often have complex structures with varying roof angles or unusual shapes. Common issues with complex roof structures include shading elements such as turbine fans or chimneys, and multiple roof orientations,” says Tadas Spundzevicius.
Various advantages
In addition, there are multiple PV areas for design and cable management. Important requirements for PV system design on large industrial and commercial roofs include optimal layout, optimal string design, lack of detailed design in early stages, accurate yield assessment for ROI calculation, accurate cable lengths, 3D visualisation limitations and scaling issues for larger projects.
The impact of design errors often leads to further problems and impacts on business results. Key project issues include time-consuming design and re-design, material shortages or surpluses, inaccurate string layouts, failure to meet promised energy yields, increased construction costs and delays to project milestones. The potential negative business impacts are: lost revenue, lower profit margins, costly rework and modifications, extended project lifecycle and damage to the company’s reputation.
According to Spundzevicius, the benefits of using detailed design software include: accurate 3D design in AutoCAD, early detailed shading and irradiance analysis, energy simulations for different scenarios, advanced stringing algorithms, detailed inverter configuration, and accurate cable length and sizing.
8,700 simulations generated for each shading assessment
In order to achieve the highest possible accuracy in the early stages of design, the software uses PVcase Auto-CAD’s ROOF MOUNT as the main drawing platform and creates a 3D design of each element. The Bill of Quantity (BOQ) is generated from the 3D drawing.
To ensure the most accurate shading impact assessment, ROOF MOUNT uses a special ray tracing algorithm and a 365-day analysis with one-hour increments. Approximately 8,700 simulations are generated for each shading assessment.
In addition, ROOF MOUNT integrates the energy estimation into AutoCAD via a special yield algorithm, which can then be exported to PVsyst for even more accurate energy simulation.
Cable design only takes a few minutes
According to Spundzevicius, ROOF MOUNT also offers advantages for the electrical design of C&I PV roof systems. For example, automated stringing is 85% faster than manual stringing, cable design takes only a few minutes, a detailed inverter configuration can be set up at the MPPT level, and automated SLD and cable sizing can be performed.
For auto-stringing, the design software uses an advanced algorithm where the string setup is based on user preferences with a high degree of customisation for each string. ROOF MOUNT is also useful for a quick evaluation of the voltage drop during the electrical layout of the solar roof. The exact cable length is used based on the drawing.
The Bill of Materials (BOM) is also easier and more accurate, for example by taking into account the inverter position when calculating the cable length, the roof slope and the position of each string.
Reduce design time up to 80 %
“C&I rooftop design with ROOF MOUNT allows for comprehensive design automation, increased project accuracy and reliability, and improved profitability,” says Spundzevicius, summarising the benefits. The design software can reduce design time by up to 80 %, significantly reduce the risk of redesign, accurately determine material quantities, and require only one software for preliminary and detailed design cycles. (hcn)
Commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftop PV systems are on the rise across Europe and are a key driver of the rapidly growing European solar market, which added around 65 GW last year. Germany leads the way with 3.6GW to be added by 2024, followed by Italy (2.0GW), France (1.9GW), the Netherlands (1.7GW) and Spain (1.6GW). By the end of 2024, a total of 104 GW of C&I rooftop systems will have been installed in the EU. Bloomberg New Energy Finance expects this market segment to double to a total of 207 GW by 2030 (a CAGR of 12%).
However, as Tadas Spundzevicius, Technical Sales Manager at PVcase, explained in the webinar, the design and engineering of large-scale commercial and industrial rooftop PV installations presents a number of challenges. For example, large roofs to be fitted with PV often have complex structures with varying roof angles or unusual shapes. Common issues with complex roof structures include shading elements such as turbine fans or chimneys, and multiple roof orientations,” says Tadas Spundzevicius.
Various advantages
In addition, there are multiple PV areas for design and cable management. Important requirements for PV system design on large industrial and commercial roofs include optimal layout, optimal string design, lack of detailed design in early stages, accurate yield assessment for ROI calculation, accurate cable lengths, 3D visualisation limitations and scaling issues for larger projects.
The impact of design errors often leads to further problems and impacts on business results. Key project issues include time-consuming design and re-design, material shortages or surpluses, inaccurate string layouts, failure to meet promised energy yields, increased construction costs and delays to project milestones. The potential negative business impacts are: lost revenue, lower profit margins, costly rework and modifications, extended project lifecycle and damage to the company’s reputation.
According to Spundzevicius, the benefits of using detailed design software include: accurate 3D design in AutoCAD, early detailed shading and irradiance analysis, energy simulations for different scenarios, advanced stringing algorithms, detailed inverter configuration, and accurate cable length and sizing.
8,700 simulations generated for each shading assessment
In order to achieve the highest possible accuracy in the early stages of design, the software uses PVcase Auto-CAD’s ROOF MOUNT as the main drawing platform and creates a 3D design of each element. The Bill of Quantity (BOQ) is generated from the 3D drawing.
To ensure the most accurate shading impact assessment, ROOF MOUNT uses a special ray tracing algorithm and a 365-day analysis with one-hour increments. Approximately 8,700 simulations are generated for each shading assessment.
In addition, ROOF MOUNT integrates the energy estimation into AutoCAD via a special yield algorithm, which can then be exported to PVsyst for even more accurate energy simulation.
Cable design only takes a few minutes
According to Spundzevicius, ROOF MOUNT also offers advantages for the electrical design of C&I PV roof systems. For example, automated stringing is 85% faster than manual stringing, cable design takes only a few minutes, a detailed inverter configuration can be set up at the MPPT level, and automated SLD and cable sizing can be performed.
For auto-stringing, the design software uses an advanced algorithm where the string setup is based on user preferences with a high degree of customisation for each string. ROOF MOUNT is also useful for a quick evaluation of the voltage drop during the electrical layout of the solar roof. The exact cable length is used based on the drawing.
The Bill of Materials (BOM) is also easier and more accurate, for example by taking into account the inverter position when calculating the cable length, the roof slope and the position of each string.
Reduce design time up to 80 %
“C&I rooftop design with ROOF MOUNT allows for comprehensive design automation, increased project accuracy and reliability, and improved profitability,” says Spundzevicius, summarising the benefits. The design software can reduce design time by up to 80 %, significantly reduce the risk of redesign, accurately determine material quantities, and require only one software for preliminary and detailed design cycles. (hcn)
projetsolaire connects consumers with trusted installers, leveraging advanced technology to streamline project planning, increase transparency, and deliver high-quality solar installations across France. Over two years, the company grew its installed capacity by 865 percent and expanded its installer network sevenfold, demonstrating both the potential of France’s solar sector and the effectiveness of a tech-centered approach.
In its quest to streamline and simplify solar, projetsolaire partnered with Aurora Solar to integrate advanced AI tools and LiDAR technology, which enabled greater efficiency and precision. This commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology has solidified projetsolaire’s position as a trusted player in the French market.
Challenges in the French solar market
France’s solar sector faces unique challenges that complicate growth. Expanding in this market requires navigating complex regulatory requirements and building trust among consumers, who may be wary of aggressive sales tactics. Additionally, managing a web of permits and administrative approvals can slow projects down and raise costs. projetsolairefaced the challenge of efficiently scaling its operations and building trust with its clients in France’s complex regulatory environment.
Addressing these challenges meant finding a technology partner capable of streamlining operations and enhancing accuracy. Aurora Solar’s advanced software provided precisely that solution, enabling projetsolaire to deliver high-precision designs that minimized costly revisions from digital sales tools to permitting.
Aurora Solar’s role: Transforming project efficiency and customer confidence
Aurora Solar’s technology quickly became central to projetsolaire’s operations. The software’s powerful design engine, leveraging AI and LiDAR data, enabled fast and accurate project estimations by creating precise 3D models that account for roof pitch, shading, and optimal panel layout. By reducing change orders, Aurora’s 3D designs help projetsolaire and its clients avoid the costly and time-consuming revisions that often plague solar projects, keeping installations on time and within budget.
Beyond operational efficiency, Aurora Solar’s technology significantly improved projetsolaire’s customer interactions. The software’s realistic 3D visualizations and accurate performance projections allowed clients to understand the benefits and potential output of their solar systems fully, fostering trust and transparency from the outset.
This clear, data-driven approach, allowing solar tradespeople to communicate in the most transparent fashion, set projetsolaire apart in a market where customer confidence is essential for success. Aurora Solar’s tools have thus been instrumental not only in operational efficiency but also in building more robust, trust-based client relationships.
Scaling success and operational efficiency
With Aurora Solar’s technology, projetsolaire has achieved significant growth and efficiency gains. Since implementing Aurora’s software, projetsolaire increased its system power fivefold to 66 MW and expanded its installer network from 67 to over 550+.
This growth has been supported by streamlined processes that boost both internal efficiency and customer satisfaction, as accurate project proposals reduce change orders and build trust. Each improvement reinforced projetsolaire’s reputation as a reliable partner, setting a high standard in the French solar market.
Lessons for European solar businesses
projetsolaire’s rapid growth illustrates the competitive advantage that advanced technology and operational efficiency can offer. By integrating AI-powered tools and precise data sources like LiDAR, European solar companies can achieve higher accuracy in project designs, shorten timelines, and significantly reduce costly revisions. This efficiency not only enhances internal processes but also elevates customer satisfaction—an essential factor in today’s market. For other solar companies, investing in technology that improves transparency and precision offers a clear path to building trust and capturing growth. (Andrew Spalding/hcn)
Experts from the Renewable Energy Research Group at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) have been measuring the yields of a photovoltaic system in the Davos-Parsenn ski resort in collaboration with the electricity utility of the Canton of Zurich (EKZ) since 2017. The modules of the system on the Totalp, a good 2,500 metres above sea level, are set at six different angles in order to measure how this angle affects the yields. The steeper the modules are positioned, the faster the snow slides off the surface, according to the theory.
The researchers also wanted to know whether the modules deliver a lot of electricity at this height, especially in winter. In addition, some of the modules are bifacial, meaning they can also produce electricity on the back. This is also particularly advantageous in winter, when the white snow on the ground casts a lot of light onto the backs of the modules.
Measurements in the test installation in the Davos-Parsenn ski resort have actually shown that with steeply staffed, bifacial solar modules, losses due to snow cover are only slight to actually negligible. With the system on the Totalp, the researchers were able to show that alpine solar systems can produce a lot of electricity, especially in the winter months. The prerequisite is, of course, that the modules are not covered by snow.
Lower losses due to steep angle
This is because snow on the modules can impair the electricity yield, especially in snowy winters. Measurements over the last six years show that for bifacial modules with an inclination of at least 60 degrees, the average yield losses due to snow cover in the winter half-year amounted to less than three per cent of the theoretical yield.
Vertical modules strong in winter
Vertically mounted modules are a speciality here. Due to the 90 degree inclination, the yield losses due to snow on the surface were actually less than one per cent. This is because almost no snow remains on these modules. As a result, they delivered the highest yields of all modules in winter, but fell short of the yields of the 30 or 60 degree tilted modules in the summer months.
The additional yield due to the bifaciality was consistently around 24 per cent, which is slightly lower than the modules with an angle of 60 degrees. ‘The losses due to snow cover are negligible for bifacial modules inclined at more than 70 degrees in alpine regions,’ says ZHAW researcher Jürg Rohrer, summarising the entire series of measurements. Raphael Knecht, Head of Solar Business at EKZ, adds: ‘In our alpine projects, we choose steeply inclined, bifacial modules to maximise the winter yield. Several years of experience with the test system now confirm our planning that losses due to snow cover are minimised.’
Long-term measurement continues
However, the data now published is only an interim result. The long-term measurements will continue until 2027 in order to gather long-term experience in alpine solar power production. The continuous measurements should help to further optimise the system configurations and improve yields under Alpine conditions. Switzerland wants to use such systems to solve the problem that solar systems in the valleys and lowlands produce less electricity in winter. (su/mfo)
With our world constantly grappling with the ill effects of climate change, calls for renewable energy sources ring increasingly louder. Solar power — with its virtually limitless energy supply — plays a crucial part in our clean energy transition.
However, climate change presents a double-edged sword for the solar industry: Despite driving the need for more solar installations, it also intensifies the extreme weather events negatively impacting these facilities, particularly destructive winds and devastating hailstorms.
This paradoxical challenge underscores the value of enhancing the resilience of solar infrastructure in the face of a constantly changing climate. Leveraging cutting-edge weather intelligence to understand the impact of severe weather on solar facilities — and mitigate these risks — can help us power the planet for generations.
The rising challenge of extreme weather
With climate change altering weather patterns worldwide, our planet experiences an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Complicating matters for solar power plant operators, areas previously unaffected by severe storms are now experiencing them. From a polar vortex in Texas to extreme heat in Oregon to hurricanes in Louisiana, the U.S. saw a record-breaking 20 weather or climate disasters in 2021, each causing at least $1 billion in damages. Similar weather challenges are being experienced globally.
Although manufacturers design solar panels to withstand harsh weather conditions, two weather phenomena pose severe risks to solar installations:
1. Wind: High winds — from hurricanes, supercells or tornadoes — can cause damage to solar panels and supporting infrastructure. Sudden gusts or changes in wind direction can cause uplift, blow debris into panels and other structures, twist brackets or shear the bolts holding panels in place.
2. Hail: While hailstorms are less frequent than wind events, hail leads to more catastrophic damage ranging from visible damage to the panel’s external surface to internal components or microcracking, reducing panel efficiency and making them more vulnerable to malfunctions or premature failure.
Given the extent of severe weather events, the solar industry must invest in greater resilience to avoid future losses.
Extreme weather’s financial impact on solar power plants
Beyond physical damage, operational disruptions and financial losses can be significant, especially as solar plants grow larger. Since 2015, insured losses associated with extreme weather events are roughly twice the magnitude of those stemming from natural catastrophes. In fact, high wind events are a leading cause of insured losses in fielded solar assets. Based on the severity of losses, a widely publicized hailstorm in West Texas damaged some 400,000 PV modules, resulting in the largest single solar insurance claim to date.
Vaisala
Dr. Rémy Parmentier, Head of Solar and Hybrid at Vaisala.
Insurance claims data also reveals hail’s outsized impact on the solar industry. While only 1.4% of solar insurance claims are hail-related, they account for a staggering 54% of incurred costs. This disproportionate financial burden has led some insurance companies to cap hail coverage at $10 million, forcing solar plant operators to seek multiple insurers to adequately cover their risk.
Whether due to high upfront costs, misaligned incentives or a lack of information, many organizations need to invest in greater resilience to lower their risk.
Building resilience through advanced weather intelligence
While weather-related hazards are unavoidable, catastrophic project losses are not. Weather monitoring and forecasting technologies help operators, builders and insurers better understand and mitigate weather-related risks.
For solar power plants, weather intelligence stands atop a three-legged foundation:
1. Historical data.
2. On-site observations.
3. Advanced forecasting.
Equipped with evidence-based weather information and advanced weather forecasting, solar plant operators, manufacturers and insurers can implement timely protective measures for developing threats, improve plant design decisions and optimize insurance coverage.
Some solar tracking systems move panels vertically to minimize hail damage or lay flat to reduce wind resistance. While not all plants have this capability, a recent RETC study revealed that 80% to 90% of hail damages can be mitigated by stowing panels at a 60° angle, significantly reducing potential damage with sufficient warning. Understanding local weather patterns and probable risks allows developers to build stronger mounting systems or more durable panels from the outset. Detailed weather data can also help insurers more accurately assess risks, potentially leading to more comprehensive and affordable coverage options or parametric insurance, which pays out based on predefined weather parameters rather than assessed damage.
While the benefits of weather intelligence for solar power plants are clear in theory, real-world applications demonstrate its tangible value in protecting solar assets and optimizing performance.
Weather intelligence in action at a solar site
An excellent example is RayGen’s power plant in Carwarp, Australia, which uses large heliostat mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto photovoltaic modules. The heliostats can take several minutes to drive to a safe horizontal position, and this “stow” process should be completed while wind loadings remain within drive motor operating limits.
RayGen sought an alerting solution with typical five-minute anticipation to avoid wind-induced damages, eventually selecting Vaisala’s WindCube — a lidar-based remote wind measurement system — to protect its equipment from damaging winds and maximize operational uptime.
Vaisala
Vaisala`s lidar-based WindCube.
Lidar measurements reveal the wind flow at the plant location and in the area surrounding the site and can be rendered into easy-to-understand wind vectors. The RayGen study involved characterizing gust events on reconstructed wind vectors to optimize specific solar farm stow operations. With real-time 3D wind maps up to more than 10 kilometers around the power plant, RayGen operators can make informed decisions to move heliostat mirrors to a suitable angle or stow them in a timely manner, thus minimizing the damage risk and likelihood of costly repairs.
RayGen’s success with its flagship technology demonstration project validates the potential for advanced weather intelligence to significantly enhance the resilience of solar power plants going forward.
Better weather intelligence = greater solar resilience
The key to future resilience lies in a “virtuous circle” of weather data:
• High-quality on-site observations feed into weather forecasting models.
• Forecasting models produce more accurate local forecasts.
• Improved forecasts and real-time, on-site data enhance decision-making.
• Over time, this growing weather information database further refines forecasting models and strengthens our understanding of local weather patterns.
In the face of a changing climate, the solar industry must adapt to more frequent and intense severe weather events in new geographies. By embracing advanced weather intelligence solutions, solar power plant operators can make evidence-based decisions that enhance resilience, optimize solar panel performance and protect their investments over the long haul.
The path forward is clear: Integrating comprehensive weather monitoring, forecasting and analysis into every stage of a solar plant’s life cycle — from initial site assessment through ongoing operations — will help the solar power sector build the resilience necessary to weather tomorrow’s storms. (RP/hcn)
In 2019, buildings around the world used around 18% of yearly electricity generated and produced 21% of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere, thereby contributing significantly to climate change. As the world’s population continues to grow, we will need more buildings, which will in turn increase demand for both electricity and construction materials.
Global rooftop area refers to the total gross surface area of all the roofs on buildings around the world. This measurement is important for various purposes, such as installing roof mounted solar panels for clean energy, planning cities, and studying environmental impacts. By understanding the global rooftop area and its growth in the next 30 years, we can better plan for sustainable energy systems, improve urban development, and reduce the impacts of buildings on issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
To help with this, IIASA researchers have developed a machine learning framework that uses big data from about 700 million building footprints, global land cover, as well as global road, and population information. Their framework, which has since been published in the journal Scientific Data, provides estimates of rooftop area growth from 2020 to 2050 under five different future scenarios. The data covers approximately 3.5 million small areas worldwide.
20-52 % growth of the global rooftop area by 2050
Using the framework, the researchers estimated that in 2020, the total rooftop area globally was 0.25 million square kilometers, out of a total human-made built-up surface area of 1.46 million square kilometers. Asia had the largest share with 0.12 million square kilometers, followed by Europe with 0.047 million, North America with 0.039 million, and Africa with 0.02 million. By 2050, the global rooftop area is expected to increase to between 0.3 and 0.38 million square kilometers, representing a 20-52% increase from 2020. Africa is projected to see the highest growth, potentially doubling its rooftop area.
Global rooftop area layer results for different regions. Each panel uses colors to show the amount of rooftop area per grid cell (small area). Rooftop area growth is visible in East China, West Africa, and Central Europe.
Rooftop solar power holds significant potential for emerging economies
The team’s work provides the first high-resolution global estimate of rooftop area growth based on different socioeconomic pathway narratives and demonstrates how large geospatial datasets and machine learning can support sustainable development and climate action. The key takeaway is that rooftop solar power holds significant potential for emerging economies. With rapid rooftop area growth, these regions can leverage their manufacturing capabilities, high solar potential, cost-effective labor, and entrepreneurial spirit to achieve sustainable development and prosperity.
“The implications of this research for policy and the public are significant. Our dataset can aid in more realistic planning of decentralized solar energy systems, thereby promoting sustainable energy solutions. Estimating the potential of rooftop solar technology in achieving climate policies, especially in emerging economies, can help these policies be more effective and affordable, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals for clean energy, sustainable cities, climate action, and life on land,” concludes lead author Siddharth Joshi, a research scholar in the Integrated Assessment and Climate Change Research Group of the IIASA Energy, Climate, and Environment Program. (hcn)
