HelioScope is built for global use from the start. A standard license grants access to the application from anywhere in the world – and HelioScope can be used for projects in all geographies.
This note reviews the common factors to be considered or altered when using HelioScope in different geographies:
Factor |
Comments |
Units |
- HelioScope supports both metric and imperial units.
- Units can be changed under Preference.
|
Components |
- Module and inverter databases are global libraries, with products from all geographies.
- HelioScope includes both metric conductor sizes (mm2) and American Wire Gauge (AWG).
- Default conductor choice can be modified using Project Profiles.
|
Codes |
- HelioScope does not verify or certify code compatibility.
- There are no voltage limits to the systems designed in HelioScope – the user is required to confirm that their system voltage is compatible with the local codes
|
Azimuth angle |
- HelioScope azimuth angles are based off of compass headings, with 0º for North, 90º for East, 180º for South, and 270º for West. Note that this is different from PVsyst, where 0º is always oriented towards the equator.
- The default HelioScope azimuth is towards the equator. Projects in the Northern Hemisphere will default to 180º and projects in the Southern Hemisphere will face 0º.
|
Map |
- The HelioScope Designer automatically pulls in imagery from Google Maps, which are available worldwide. Additionally, users can switch to Bing Maps to increase the probability of finding a high quality image.
- Other high-quality images can be uploaded via overlay
|
Weather files |
- HelioScope draws from a variety of hourly weather sources for worldwide weather data.
|
Energy simulation calculations |
- While sun angles are certainly different from location to location, all of the core energy simulation mathematics in HelioScope are identical regardless of the project location. Physics is universal!
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