CYPEPLUMBING

The interface of the "Solar Systems" tab in the CYPEPLUMBING program has three tabs at the top with different work environments: "Installation", "Diagrams" and "Bill of quantities". These environments are similar to those in other CYPE tools and have a system of dockable windows that can be customised to adapt the workspace to the needs of the project.

"Installation" tab

The "Installation" tab has a work environment that can be used to design the solar thermal energy system, both in a 3D view and in any type of 2D view (such as floor plans and elevations). This way, the elements in the system can be entered using the most appropriate view at any given time.

This tab contains:

• A top toolbar containing the tools for managing the catalogues and project options; entering and editing the elements of the solar thermal energy system (solar thermal collectors; accumulator tanks and heat exchangers; fittings, pumps and pipes); and analysing, checking and sizing the system.
• The work area, on the right-hand side of the screen, where the above-mentioned elements are entered, edited and displayed.
• On the left-hand side, several panels with tools for defining the views and levels of the project, managing the visibility of the elements read and configuring the layers and snap options.

"Diagrams" tab

The "Diagrams" tab contains a work environment that generates the diagrams of the solar thermal energy system and creates them on sheets in the desired formats.

This tab contains:

• A top toolbar containing the tools for generating the solar thermal system diagrams; entering and editing the elements that make up the diagrams; and adjusting and configuring the general options and symbols.
• The workspace, on the right of the screen, where the system diagrams are entered, edited and displayed.
• On the left-hand side, a navigation panel between the different diagrams created, which are made up of sheets of editable format and scale.

"Bill of quantities" tab

On the other hand, the "Bill of quantities" tab is used to manage the quantities and bill of quantities of solar thermal energy systems, and it shows the following:

• A top toolbar containing the tools for creating and editing the bill of quantities, as well as those for managing and creating reports.
• A graphic window with its own toolbar, located on the right-hand side, in which it is possible to visualise the different elements of the job.
• A specific area for structuring the bill of quantities, on the left-hand side.

Installation of a split-system unit

Schematic diagram of a solar thermal installation for a small, single-owner office building.

1. Solar thermal collector (under "Solar energy collection", "Solar thermal collector").
2. Single-circuit heat exchanger (in "On-demand", "Storage" modes).
3. Supply and return pipes ("Hydraulic circuit", "Pipe").

Installation of multiple units with individual heat storage tanks

Schematic diagram of a solar thermal installation for an eight-unit apartment block.

1. Solar thermal collectors (under "Solar collection", "Solar thermal collector").
2. Single-pass heat exchangers, for individual use (in "On-demand" or "Storage" mode).
3. Circulation pump (under "Hydraulic circuit", "Pump").
4. Supply and return pipes (under "Hydraulic circuit", "Pipe").

When starting the application and clicking on "New", it offers users the chance to create a "New job", which can then be integrated into an existing project in BIMserver.center.

This is selected in the "Project selection" window. On the left-hand side, the user can log in with their BIMserver.center account.

Users can also "Create a new project". In this case, the created project will be visible from BIMserver.center from that moment on.

There is also the option of starting the project without being linked to the BIMserver.center platform. To do this, simply uncheck the box at the top left, "Link to a BIMserver.center project".

Once the new job has been created, the program interface is accessed, which includes a graphic window showing the model or models that have been imported.

At any time during the project, files can be shared or imported via the "BIMserver.center" group at the top right-hand side of the screen.

• Analysis options
• General checks
• Display options
• Units

If you use the "Import configuration" option, located to the right of the "General options" panel, you can automatically generate this data for different countries and national and international regulations.

The other options in the right-hand column allow you to import and export the complete settings from the "General options" panel to files on your hard drive, as well as to select a file containing default values when creating a new project.

Calculation options

This allows you to define the general data and calculation criteria for the solar thermal installation:

• General Features
  • Simplified entry (optional)
    If this option is enabled, the input and editing panels for installation elements have a simplified layout and do not require certain parameters to be defined.
  • Heat transfer fluid
    This allows you to define the volumetric density, specific heat and viscosity of the heat transfer fluid for each temperature value.
• Demand (optional)
  • Demand criteria
    This allows you to define the demand criteria for the available DHW (for example, for each unit of use in a residential building, a hotel, a gym, etc.), specifying its reference, description and daily demand per unit (in volume units). These criteria can subsequently be selected to enter the necessary information in the ‘Consumption’ section of the ‘Storage tank’ or ‘Heat exchanger’ equipment.
  • Reference temperature (optional)
    Allows you to set the reference temperature for the DHW demand.
  • Correction factor (optional)
    Allows you to define a correction factor for DHW demand based on the number of users.

General checks

This allows you to define the general checks for a solar thermal installation:

• General checks
  • Maximum losses due to orientation, slope and shading (optional)
    Allows you to define the values for the following maximum losses for different scenarios (such as the general case, the case of overlapping collectors or the case of architectural integration of collectors):
    • Losses due to "Orientation and slope"
    • Losses due to "Shadows"
    • Losses under "Total"

Representation options

This allows you to configure the graphical display of the components of the solar thermal system

• "Type of line and colour" tab:
  Changes the line type and colour used in the graphical representation of the different types of pipes.
  • Drive (Colour, Line type)
  • Return (Colour, Line type)
• "Label" tab:
  Customises the information displayed on the labels for the various components of the solar thermal system, as well as the text size.
  • Components (Solar thermal collector, Fittings, Pump, Storage tank, Heat exchanger, Piping)
  • settings
    • Text size
• "Symbols" tab:
  Allows you to create custom symbols using a drawing editor or import symbols contained in DXF, DWG or DWF files saved to disk.

Units

This allows you to configure the units, the label and the number of decimal places for each of the parameters relating to the solar thermal installation:

• Primary measure units (Length, Diameter, Absolute roughness, Area, Volume, Liquid volume, Temperature)
• General physical quantities (Velocity, Water flow rate, Pressure, Pressure per unit length, Density, Kinematic viscosity of water)
• Thermal measure units (Thermal conductivity, Thermal transmittance, Specific heat, Energy, Energy per unit surface area, Thermal load, Heat release rate per unit length)

If you use the "Import one of the predefined unit systems" option, available on the right-hand side of the panel, you can import one of the following unit systems:

• International System of Units
  Allows you to import units from the International System.
• I-P System
  Allows you to import units from the I-P (Inch-Pound) system or the imperial system.

• Solar thermal collector catalogue
• Catalogue of solar thermal collectors with storage tanks
• Battery catalogue
• Pump catalogue
• Pipe catalogue
• Thermal insulation catalogue

If you use the "Import settings" option, located to the right of the "General options" panel, you can automatically generate this data for different countries and national and international regulations.

The other options in the right-hand column allow you to import and export the complete settings from the "General options" panel to files on your hard drive, as well as to select a file containing default values when creating a new project.

Solar thermal collector catalogue

This allows you to define the range of solar thermal collectors available on site. These elements are subsequently added to the model using the "Solar thermal collector" option in the "Solar collection" group.

When defining solar thermal collectors in this section, the following parameters must be specified:

• Reference:
  Reference number for the material or equipment.
• General features
  • Description
• Technical specifications
  Enter the technical specifications of the solar thermal collector:
  • Effective area
    Effective area of the collector.
  • Length (x)
    Length of the sensor in its local "x" direction.
  • Length (y)
    Length of the sensor in its local "y" direction.
  • η0
    Optical efficiency of the collector. The wizard on the right allows you to import standard values for different types of collectors, such as vacuum tube solar collectors (with flat or circular absorbers), flat-plate collectors with glass, or collectors without glass.
  • a1 First-order overall
    loss coefficient.
  • a2 Overall
    second-order loss coefficient.
  • IAM Angle of incidence
    modifier.
  • Pressure drop
    Pressure drop associated with the collector.
  • Minimum flow rate
    Minimum flow rate required at the collector.
  • Maximum flow rate
    Maximum flow rate permitted in the collector.

Catalogue of solar thermal collectors with storage tanks

This allows you to define the range of solar thermal collectors with storage tanks available on site, including compact thermosiphon systems. These elements are subsequently added to the model using the "Solar thermal collector with storage tank" option in the "Solar collection" block.

When defining solar thermal collectors with storage tanks in this section, the following parameters must be specified:

• Reference:
  Reference number for the material or equipment.
• General features
  • Description
• Technical specifications
  Enter the technical specifications of the solar thermal collector:
  • Effective area
    Effective area of the collector.
  • Length (x)
    Length of the sensor in its local "x" direction.
  • Length (y)
    Length of the sensor in its local "y" direction.
  • η0
    Optical efficiency of the collector. The wizard on the right allows you to import standard values for different types of collectors, such as vacuum tube solar collectors (with flat or circular absorbers), flat-plate collectors with glass, or collectors without glass.
  • a1
    First-order overall loss coefficient.
  • a2
    Overall second-order loss coefficient.
  • IAM
    Angle of incidence modifier.
  • Pressure drop
    Pressure drop associated with the collector.
  • Minimum flow rate
    Minimum flow rate required at the collector.
  • Maximum flow rate
    Maximum flow rate permitted in the collector.
• Battery
  Allows you to enter the battery specifications:
  • Capacity
    The capacity of the accumulator, expressed in units of volume.
  • Radius
    from the storage tank.
  • Height
    Height of the storage tank.
  • Height of the inlets
    The height of the storage tank’s connection points relative to its base.

Accumulator tank catalogue

This allows you to define the list of accumulator tanks available on site. These elements can subsequently be added to the model using the "Accumulator tank" option within the "Demand" section.

When defining the accumulators in this section, you must specify the following parameters:

• Reference:
  Reference number for the material or equipment.
• General features
  • Description
• Technical specifications (Model / Capacity / Radius / Height / Height of the inlets)
  Allows you to enter the technical specifications of the series’ storage tanks by adding entries to the table.

Pump catalogue

This allows you to define the range of circulation pumps available on site. These elements are subsequently added to the model using the "Pump" option in the "Hydraulic circuit" group.

When specifying circulation pumps in this section, the following parameters must be provided:

• Reference
  Reference number for the material or equipment.
• General features
  • Description
• Technical specifications
  Allows you to enter the pump’s technical specifications.
  • Dimensions (L, W, H)
  • Flow/pressure curve This
    allows you to define the flow/pressure curves available for the circulation pump by adding entries to the table.
    • Reference
      Curve reference.
    • Curve type
      • Midpoint
        Allows you to enter the values that define the midpoint of the flow/pressure curve and displays a graph showing the associated curve.
        • Flow rate
        • Pressure
      • By points:
        Allows you to enter flow/pressure pairs and displays a graph showing the corresponding curve.
        • Flow rate
        • Pressure

Pipe catalogue

This allows you to define the catalogue of materials available for pipes. The materials defined here can be assigned to pipes created in the "Pipes" section, under "Dimensioning options and checks to be performed" in the "General options". These elements are subsequently added to the model using the options available within the "Hydraulic circuit" block.

When defining each pipe in this section, you must specify the following parameters:

• Reference
  Material reference.
• General features
  • Description
  • Absolute roughness
  • Thermal conductivity
• Dimensional characteristics (Reference, Nominal diameter, Outer diameter, Wall thickness)
  Allows you to enter the dimensional characteristics of each pipe in the series by adding entries to the table.

Thermal insulation catalogue

This allows you to define the catalogue of materials available for pipe thermal insulation. The materials defined here can be assigned to pipes created in the "Pipes" section, under "Dimensioning options and checks to be performed" in the "General options". Pipes are subsequently added to the model using the options available within the "Hydraulic circuit" block.

When specifying each type of thermal insulation in this section, the following parameters must be provided:

• Reference
  Material reference.
• General features
  • Description
  • Thermal conductivity (Temperature, Conductivity)
    In this section, you can enter a thermal conductivity value for each temperature value.
• Dimensional characteristics (Reference, Internal diameter, Thickness)
  Allows you to enter the dimensional characteristics of each thermal insulation product in the series by adding entries to the table.

• Solar thermal collectors
• Solar thermal collectors with a storage tank
• Batteries
• Heat exchangers
• Accessories
• Pumps
• Pipes

These criteria or options for designs and checks must be defined for each type of element before it is selected and added to the model.

If you use the "Import settings" option, located to the right of the "General options" panel, you can automatically generate this data for different countries and national and international regulations.

The remaining options in the right-hand column allow you to import and export the complete settings from the "General options" panel to files on your hard drive, as well as to select a file containing default values when creating a new project.

Solar thermal collectors / Solar thermal collectors with storage

This allows you to define the design and check options for solar thermal collectors and solar thermal collectors with storage tanks available in the project. These options are selected when these elements are subsequently added to the model, using the "Solar thermal collector" or "Solar thermal collector with storage tank" options in the "Solar collection" group.

When defining the design and check options for each of these elements, the following parameters must be specified:

• Reference
• General features
  • Description
  • Solar thermal collector catalogue (optional)
    You can link the criterion to one of the materials or items of equipment previously defined in the solar thermal collector catalogue, via the "Solar collector catalogue with storage tank" option, which can be found under "Solar thermal collector catalogue" in the "General options".
• sizing and verification data
  • "General Information" tab
    • Maximum losses due to orientation, slope and shading (optional)
      You can select one of the predefined losses from the "General Checks" section of the "General Options".
    • Enter flow rate per m² surface area (optional)
    • Minimum solar contribution (optional)
      The minimum ratio between the amount of solar energy supplied and the energy demand.
    • Maximum solar contribution for one month (optional)
      The maximum ratio between the amount of solar energy supplied and energy demand over a month.
    • Maximum solar contribution for three months (optional)
      The highest ratio between the amount of solar energy supplied and energy demand over three months.
    • Minimum V/S ratio (optional)
      The minimum required ratio between the storage volume and the catchment area.
    • Maximum V/S ratio (optional)
      The maximum permissible ratio between the storage volume and the catchment area.
    • Diameter (optional)
    • Reference solar thermal collector (optional)
      Defining a reference solar thermal collector requires the following data to be entered: Azimuth, Tilt, Effective area per subscriber, η0, a1, a2, IAM.
    • Activation time
      Defined by the number of active hours in each month of the year.
    • Description of checks to be carried out
      Allows you to enter a description of the checks to be carried out on the element. This text will appear in the lists next to each check.
      • Daily volume
      • Maximum solar contribution for one month
      • Maximum solar contribution for three months
      • V/S ratio
      • Loss due to orientation or slope
      • Shadow losses
      • Total losses

Batteries

This allows you to define the design and check options for storage tanks available in the project. These options are selected when these elements are subsequently added to the model, using the "Storage tank" option in the "Demand" group.

When configuring these options, you must specify the following parameters:

• Reference
• General features
  • Description
• Design and check data
  • Percentage of the tank used for solar gain
  • Pressure drop (optional)
    The pressure drop associated with the tank.
  • Description of checks to be carried out
    Allows you to enter a description of the checks to be carried out on the element. This text will appear in the lists next to each check.
    • Daily volume

Heat exchangers

This allows you to define the heat exchanger sizing and verification options available in the project. These options are selected when these elements are subsequently added to the model, using the "Heat exchanger" option in the "Demand" group.

When configuring these options, you must specify the following parameters:

• Reference
• General features
  • Description
• Design and check data
  • Pressure drop (optional)
    The pressure drop associated with the heat exchanger.

Fittings

This allows you to define the design and check options for fittings available in the project. These elements can subsequently be added to the model using the "Fitting" option within the "Hydraulic circuit" group.

When configuring these options, you must specify the following parameters:

• Reference
• General features
  • Description
  • Pipe type (Supply / Return)
• Graphic representation
  • Colour (optional)
  • Symbol (optional)
• Design and check data
  • Local pressure loss calculation (optional)
    This allows you to enable the calculation of localised pressure drop in the fitting and define the calculation criteria by selecting one of the available options:
    • Local pressure loss
    • Equivalent length

Pumps

This allows you to define the pump design and check options available in the project. These elements are subsequently added to the model using the "Pump" option in the "Hydraulic circuit" group.

When configuring these options, you must specify the following parameters:

• Reference
• General features
  • Description
  • Pipe type (Supply / Return)
• Graphic representation
  • Colour (optional)
  • Symbol (optional)
• Design and check data
  • Description of the checks to be carried out
    Allows you to enter a description of the checks to be carried out on the element. This text will appear in the reports next to each check.
    • Increase in pressure

Pipes

This allows you to define the piping design and check the options available in the project. These elements are subsequently added to the model using the options available within the "Hydraulic circuit" group, such as "Pipe".

When configuring these options, you must specify the following parameters:

• Reference
• General features
  • Description
  • Type of pipe (Supply / Return)
  • Material reference
    This allows you to select one of the materials listed in the "Pipe catalogue" table, under the "Material and equipment selection" section of the "General options".
  • Thermal insulation reference
    This allows you to select one of the materials listed in the "Thermal insulation catalogue" table, under the "Selection of materials and equipment" section of the "General options".
• Graphic representation
  • Tag (optional)
    • Reference (optional)
    • Diameter (optional)
    • Insulation (optional)
  • Colour (optional)
  • Line type (optional)
• Design and check data
  • Minimum nominal diameter (optional)
    The minimum permissible nominal diameter of the pipe.
  • Maximum nominal diameter (optional)
    The maximum permissible nominal diameter of the pipe.
  • Minimum velocity (optional)
    Minimum permissible fluid velocity in the section.
  • Maximum velocity (optional)
    Maximum permissible fluid velocity in the section.
  • Increase of the real length (optional)
    Allows you to apply a percentage increase to the actual length of the pipe based on the length entered in the model.
  • Maximum pressure loss of the span (optional)
    Maximum permissible pressure drop in the pipe section.
  • Description of the checks to be carried out
    Allows you to enter a description of the checks to be carried out on the element. This text will appear in the lists next to each check.
    • Nominal diameter (Consumption)
    • Nominal diameter (Continuity)
    • Inner diameter
    • Flow rate
    • Velocity
    • Pressure loss in the span

"Hot water production – Accumulator tanks" tab

This tab allows you to link DHW production units listed under the "Water Systems" tab with storage tanks listed under the "Solar Systems" tab.

The tab displays a table with three columns:

• Link
• Hot water production
• Accumulator tank

The program allows you to specify the storage tank associated with each DHW production unit by selecting it in each entry of the table. Thus, when a DHW production unit is entered in the "Water Systems" tab, the associated storage tank is automatically entered in the "Solar Systems" tab; and conversely, when a storage tank is entered in the "Solar Systems" tab, the associated DHW production unit is automatically entered in the "Water Systems" tab.

If the "Link" checkbox is ticked, the associated DHW production unit and accumulator tank will remain linked for editing operations such as moving them. Thus, when the DHW production unit is moved, the accumulator will also be moved.

"Heat exchangers" tab

This tab allows you to link heat exchangers in the "Water Systems" tab with heat exchangers in the "Solar Systems" tab.

The tab displays a table with three columns:

• Link
• Heat exchanger (Water Systems)
• Heat exchanger (Solar Systems)

The program allows you to define the heat exchanger in the "Solar Systems" tab associated with each heat exchanger in the "Water Systems" tab by selecting it in each table entry. In this way, when a heat exchanger is entered in the "Water Systems" tab, the associated heat exchanger is automatically entered in the "Solar Systems" tab; and vice versa, when a heat exchanger is entered in the "Solar Systems" tab, the associated heat exchanger is automatically entered in the "Water Systems" tab.

If the "Link" checkbox is ticked, the heat exchangers will remain linked for editing operations such as moving them. Thus, when the heat exchanger in the "Water Systems" tab is moved, the heat exchanger in the "Solar Systems" tab will also be moved.

Importing local settings

From either of the two windows, you can use the "Settings" option in the top-right corner to automatically load device settings for different countries and regions.

• "Bill of quantities" tab:
  Allows you to control the generation of the element's bill of quantities using filters.
  • Solar thermal collector

Accumulator tank

This option allows you to include storage tanks and combined storage tanks (storage systems with an integrated heat exchanger) in the model.

When entering or editing an accumulator tank, you can configure the following parameters. Some parameters only appear if the "Simplified entry" option under "Design options" in "General options" is disabled:

• Reference
  The reference for the element. This value can be locked or unlocked. If it is unlocked, the program will create or modify the reference when updating results.
• Storage tank
  Allows you to select the criteria or options for designing and checking storage tanks. These options can be created and edited under "Design and check options" in "General options", within the "Project" section.
• Accumulator tank catalogue
  This allows you to select the accumulator tank catalogue from those defined in the "Material and equipment selection" section, under "General options", within the "Project" group.

• "Bill of quantities" tab:
  Allows you to control the generation of the item's bill of quantities using filters.
  • Accumulator tank

Heat exchanger

This option allows you to include heat exchangers in the model.

When adding or editing an exchanger, you can configure the following parameters. Some parameters only appear if the "Simplified entry" option under "Design options" in "General options" is disabled:

• Reference
  The reference for the element. This value can be locked or unlocked. If it is unlocked, the program will create or modify the reference when updating results.
• Heat exchanger
  Allows you to select the criteria or options for the sizing and verification of heat exchangers. These options can be created and edited under "Design and check options" in "General options", within the "Project" section.

• "Bill of quantities" tab:
  Allows you to control the generation of the item's bill of quantities using filters.
  • Heat exchanger

Fitting

This option allows you to add fittings (such as supply valves or shut-off valves) to the model.

When entering or editing a fitting, you can configure the following parameters. Some parameters only appear if the "Simplified entry" option under "Design options" in "General options" is disabled:

• Reference
  The reference for the element. This value can be locked or unlocked. If it is unlocked, the program will create or modify the reference when updating results.
• Fitting
  Allows you to select the criteria or options for dimensioning and checking accessories. These options can be created and edited under "Design and check options" in "General options", within the "Project" section.

• "Bill of quantities" tab:
  Allows you to control the generation of the element's bill of quantities using filters.
  • Fitting

Pump

This option allows you to include circulation pumps in the model.

When adding or editing a pump, you can configure the following parameters. Some parameters only appear if the "Simplified entry" option under "Design options" in "General options" is disabled:

• Reference
  The reference for the element. This value can be locked or unlocked. If it is unlocked, the program will create or modify the reference when updating results.
• Pump
  Allows you to select the criteria or options for designing and checking pumps. These options can be created and edited under "Design and check options" in "General options", within the "Project" section.

• "Bill of quantities" tab:
  Allows you to control the generation of the element's bill of quantities using filters.
  • Pump

• "General data" tab
  This allows you to define the general details of the item. Some of these values can be locked or unlocked. If a value is locked, it will not be modified when the results are updated, but will remain unchanged.
  • Diameter (Lock/Unlock)
    Allows you to select the pipe diameter from those available in the series.
  • Temperature (Lock/Unlock)
  • Gross flow (Lock/Unlock)
  • Simultaneity (Lock/Unlock)
  • Equivalent length (Lock/Unlock)

Pipe between floors

The "Between levels" option allows you to insert pipes for the solar thermal system by defining their geometry between levels.

When you click on this option, the program allows you to define the pipe’s characteristics using an editing panel identical to the one that appears when you use the “Pipe” option.

Next, in the "Properties – Vertical Pipe" dialogue box, you define the levels associated with the pipe’s "Initial point" and "Final point", along with a "Displacement" for each of the specified levels, expressed as positive or negative values. The pipe’s position on the plan view is marked by placing the cursor on a point within the workspace.

Search

Searches for an element by entering a text with its full reference or part of its reference.

• Only whole word (optional)
  If this box is checked, only the elements that match the entered text in full will be searched for.

When doing this, the program locates the element in the model by means of magenta lines in the main directions of the space and an enveloping volume of the same colour.

Check

Keeping this option activated highlights the elements in the system where a warning or error has occurred in relation to their insertion or editing by means of an incident system, as in the case of disconnected elements, when they were inserted in the model. The descriptive message of said warning or error is displayed by hovering the cursor over each incident.

View the checks carried out

This option allows you to open and view the detailed check report that has been carried out on each component of the installation.

This report includes information on the reference and description of the element, alongside a table showing a description of each "Check" performed, the limit and calculated "Values", and the "Status" of compliance.

This tool is equivalent to the option that allows you to view the checks for each element in its editing panel.

Calculation errors

The "Analysis" option, in the "Calculation" section, allows you to show and hide calculation errors.

As with the previous option, selecting this option highlights those elements of the installation where a warning or error has occurred in relation to the calculation checks, using an incident reporting system, such as potential regulatory non-compliance. Hovering the cursor over each incident displays a description of the warning or error.

View results on screen

After the analysis, the program displays the results in the tooltip or information text that appears when the cursor is placed on an element in the system, as well as the compliance of the checks carried out on it. To do this, the "Show information texts" option in the top right-hand toolbar must be checked.

Reports of checks by element

In the editing panel of each element, users can consult the report of specific checks through the corresponding option.

This report includes information with the reference and description of the element, together with a table showing a description of each "Check" carried out, the limit and calculated "Values", and the "Status" of compliance.

This tool is equivalent to the "Consult the checks carried out" option, accessible from the "Calculation" group in the top toolbar.

Graphical analysis of results

By means of the "Graphical analysis of results" option in the "Analysis" group in the top toolbar, the calculated values of different magnitudes are displayed by colouring the elements of the solar thermal energy system.

By default, the program shows the minimum and maximum values of each factor obtained in the analysis for the entire system. However, the colour scale can be adjusted according to the specific ranges of minimum and maximum values defined in the corresponding dialogue box.

Reports

The program can print the following reports directly from the printer or generate HTML, PDF, TXT, RTF or DOCX files.

The reports are obtained via the "Reports" option in the top left-hand area of the interface.

Consumption and solar capture demand

The reports on consumption and solar capture demand include the following:

• Design criteria
  Displays a report with the expressions and design criteria for the solar collection and storage elements of the system. The following sections are included:
  • Conditions of use
  • Solar energy production calculation
  • Solar thermal collectors
  • Accumulator tanks

• Results
  Displays a report with the analysis results of the solar collectors in the system.

• Code checks
  Displays the report of detailed checks of each of the solar thermal collectors and accumulator tanks in the system.

• Materials
  Displays a report including the materials used in solar thermal collectors and accumulator tanks.
  

Hydraulic circuit

The hydraulic circuit reports include the following:

• Design criteria
  Displays a report with the expressions and design criteria of the elements in the hydraulic circuit of the system. The following sections are included:
  • Hydraulic analysis
  • Pipes: reference, description, catalogue and entered data for the design and checking

• Results
  Displays a report with the analysis results of the hydraulic circuit elements in the system (accumulator tanks, horizontal pipes, vertical pipes).

• Code checks
  Displays the detailed check report for each of the pipes in the system.

• Materials
  Displays a report including the materials used in the pipes of the system.
  

Bill of quantities

This section is used to print the following reports with the information entered in the "Bill of quantities" tab:

• Quantities
• Price justification
• Bill of quantities
• Detailed priced bill of quantities
• BOQ summary

Document configuration

To create documents that incorporate the information of several selected reports together, the options in the right-hand section on document configuration are used. The following data can be configured for each document:

• Title
• Description
• Page header (optional)
  • Project; Location; Developer; Author; Date
• Reports to be included

The "Document" option is used to print the document created.

The "Document styles" can also be modified using the corresponding option.

Drawings in DWG, DXF or PDF format

The program can be used to print the drawings of the job on any graphic peripheral configured on the computer or to create DWG, DXF or PDF files.

Editing the drawing allows the following options to be configured:

• Selecting categories of elements to be included in the drawing (Supply, Return, Spaces, Roofs, Nearby buildings and other obstacles, Editing resources)
• Keys by drawing / Keys by building
  • Symbols (optional) (Type, Reference, Symbol)
  • Pipe catalogue (optional) (Reference, Description)
  • Accumulator tank catalogue (optional) (Reference, Description)
• Options
  • Show scale (optional)
  • Show DXF (optional)
  • Include the .glTF files in the drawings (optional)
  • Generate vector images (optional)
  • Resolution (96 ppp / 150 ppp / 300 ppp / 600 ppp)
  • Diagrams (optional)
• Selecting 2D or 3D views to be drawn
• Scale
• Details

The drawings can be obtained via the "Drawings" option at the top left of the program's general interface.

Update

Updates information contained in models previously imported into the project or imports new models if desired.

Share

Exports the information of the model developed with CYPEPLUMBING to BIMserver.center to share it with other users, including its 3D representation, the analysis reports, the bill of quantities and the system drawings.

During the export process, users can define the information related to the identification of the files to be exported and select the information to be exported from each of the tabs in the program,"Water Systems", "Sanitary Systems", "Layout" and "Digital Model":

• Name
• Description
• Water Systems / Sanitary Systems / Solar Systems (optional)
  You can select the installations and documents to be exported.
  • Document (optional)
  • Bill of quantities reports (optional)
  • Bill of quantities (FIEBDC-3) (optional)
• Layout (optional)
  • Configuration (optional)
    You can select the sheets to be exported from those available and configure the properties of their export.
• Digital Model
  • Configuration (optional)
    You can select the detailed models to be exported from those available.
    

These features make it possible for several users to work on different files simultaneously. When the data entry is finished, the information in the files can be dumped and collected in a single file using these options.

Within the "Installation" tab in the "Solar Systems" tab, the options that configure the snapping and adjust the display of the model elements are found in the "Snap options" panel, located by default on the left-hand side of the interface.

These options allow the following parameters to be set for all model views:

• Element
  Element category reference.
• Snap (optional)
  Activates or deactivates the snapping of the elements in the selected category.
• Symbols (optional)
  Activates or deactivates the symbolic representation of the elements of the model.
• 3D (optional)
  Activates or deactivates the three-dimensional or volumetric representation of the elements of the model.
• Opacity
  Adjusts the opacity of the 3D representation of the elements by entering a value between 0 (completely transparent) and 100 (completely opaque).

The categories of solar thermal system elements available for configuration are as follows:

• Solar thermal collectors
• Solar thermal collectors with accumulator tanks
• Accumulator tanks
• Heat exchangers
• Fittings
• Pumps
• Pipes

3D view

This opens a 3D viewer where the elements read from the BIM model and the elements entered in the different tabs of the program are displayed together.

Visibility

This isolates the display of the elements selected in the work area in all views of the model, hiding the rest.

Redraw

This displays all elements in the model in all views, undoing the operation performed by the "Visibility" option.

The "Diagram" tab, available at the top of the "Solar Systems" tab, allows users to automatically generate the diagrams of the solar thermal system from the model information developed in the "Installation" tab, or to create them manually using the available drawing tools:

• To create the diagrams from scratch, the necessary format sheets are first created using the options on the left-hand side. Then, the schematic elements are entered in the work area on the right-hand side using the options in the top toolbar.
• To generate the layouts automatically, the "New" option at the top is used. It is then possible to modify the generated diagrams in the work area using the options in the top toolbar.

Composite drawings can be selected in this tab to be printed together with the rest of the drawings of the job using the corresponding options.

Diagram management

The diagrams of the solar thermal energy system are made up on sheets of different formats. The tools for creating and managing diagrams are located on the left-hand side of the interface.

The following features can be configured when creating or editing a diagram:

• Reference
• Description
• Paper format
  The available paper formats can be configured in ‘General Options’.
• Orientation (Landscape / Portrait)
• Scale factor (%)

Options in the "Project" group

In the "Project" group of the top toolbar, the program offers the following utilities:

General options

This configures the available paper formats and table types, the units of measurement, and the graphic representation of the elements of the solar thermal energy system diagrams, defining their colour and symbols.

Symbols

Used to create and edit the symbols of the system elements by means of a drawing editor. The symbols contained in DXF, DWG or DWF files saved on disk can be imported. These symbols can be selected in the configuration defined for each element under "General options

Tools for entering diagram elements

These options allow users to freely enter these elements in the diagram of the solar thermal system:

• Solar thermal collector
• Solar thermal collector with accumulator tank
• Fitting
• Pump
• Storage tank
• Heat exchanger
• Pipe

In each of them, the following parameters are defined:

• Reference
  Reference of the particular element.
• Drawing options
  Selects the symbol previously defined in the "Drawing options" of the "General options".

Reference line

Enters a reference line. These lines can be used to indicate the layout of the diagram elements on the different floors of the building.

User tables

Inserts legends or tables with complementary information in the diagrams.

When a table is created, it can be "Generic", for which the number of rows and tables is specified and the content of its cells is filled in a free editor, or "Key" type, in which case it can be "Automatically generated" according to the elements arranged in the diagram.

Table types can also be managed via the corresponding option in the "General options".

Drawing tools

The options in this menu are used to enter the following drawing resources: