The analysis of energy produced by the photovoltaic system no longer considers the optimum tilt for each period (winter and summer). When calculating the tilt factor, the new version now considers the optimum tilt per month depending on the project's latitude. Therefore, the analysis of the energy produced per panel is more accurate.
The introduction of the "String" concept in the program means that when it comes to calculating and generating the shading diagram of the solar panels, users can select whether they want to do this per string or per panel. For this purpose, there are two options in the shading calculation:
When creating the shading diagram of the solar panels, in addition to the architectural elements that cast shadows on the panels, the solar panel is added to this function as an own element of shading generation. This way, the generation of shading between the solar panels can be taken into account.
In version 2024.a, for the modelling carried out in the "Photovoltaic installation" tab, entering the wiring is optional. Now, when entering each element, the output element is specified so that the subsequent analysis of electrical parameters can be carried out.
On the other hand, the "Row of panels" feature has been added to make it easier to enter panels quickly. This tool allows a row of panels to be entered with a general configuration for all of them, by simply defining two points in the space.
The selection of the panel layout (either horizontal or vertical) is added to the existing features of a solar panel when it is entered.
This way, the same type of solar panel from the element library is applied for the analyses and checks, regardless of the layout chosen.
The "string" concept has been added to the program. Using the "Strings" tool, strings can be created in the job in order to be subsequently assigned to the panels found in the model.
Once this assignment has been made, the program checks and analyses the string parameters for the subsequent analysis of the entire system.
As a result of the added "Hybrid inverters" and "Modular batteries" elements, the types of systems supported by the predesigner have been increased. The types of systems analysed by the predesigner are now as follows:
In the 2024.a version of CYPELEC PV Systems, more elements for modelling photovoltaic systems have been added. The new elements that have been incorporated are the following:
As of version 2024.a, CYPELEC PV Systems can also be installed in French and Portuguese. The languages in which the program can now be installed are as follows:
As of version 2024.a, users can manage the "Cost databases" and "Mapping files" databases (in applications with a "bill of quantities" tab), and the "Sets of measurement rules" databases (for Open BIM Quantities) in two different locations, which can be toggled via a drop-down menu:
The "BIM model element identifiers" option has been added to the bill of quantities export panel to FIEBDC-3 format (.bc3). When activated, the IDs of the elements in the BIM model will be added to the comments of the quantity detail lines, as indicated in the code from version FIEBDC-3/2016. In previous versions, these fields were always added to the file, but to ensure compatibility with other applications that are not able to work with them, the export of these fields can now be controlled.
This option is activated by default. Furthermore, the FIEBDC-3 files included by the "Bill of quantities" tab in the contributions for the BIMserver.center platform always contain the identifiers of the BIM model elements.
The mode of communication between Open BIM applications and the BIMserver.center collaborative work platform has changed. In previous versions, the applications used the "BIMserver.center Sync" tool to upload and download the files of the contributions associated with the project from the platform. This tool was downloaded from the BIMserver.center platform or installed together with the installation of the platform applications if users so desired.
From version 2024.a onwards, applications are now able to work directly with BIMserver.center without an intermediary. That is, without the need for the "BIMserver.center Sync" tool.
This modification will improve the performance and efficiency of Open BIM applications significantly. By removing this dependency, the applications have more autonomy and the waiting times for communication between BIMserver.center Sync and the program have been considerably reduced. The process of downloading contributions has also been optimised, as users no longer need to obtain the entire content of a project from BIMserver.center in order to work, but only the contributions to be read.
The way of authenticating a BIMserver.center user in the applications has also been modified. Now, this process is carried out within the BIMserver.center web platform. To do this, the application with which the user is working will run the user's default browser when the "Login" button is pressed. When the credentials are entered, or after opening the browser if the user is already connected to the platform, an authorisation page will be displayed. This page details the resources the application is requesting access to and two buttons for granting or denying this access.
The authorisation must be carried out for each application. Once access has been granted, it is saved for the next time the program is run and there is no need to perform this process again for that application.
As well as performance improvements, changes have been made to the user interface of the Open BIM applications regarding the connection to BIMserver.center.
To work in BIMserver.center with versions of Open BIM applications prior to 2024.a, users must continue to use the BIMserver.center Sync tool. This is still available for download from the platform and was included in the installation packages of the CYPE Open BIM applications prior to 2024.a.
