As the demand for photovoltaic installations surges, Sunshine New Energy’s advanced digital technologies are paving the way for quicker grid connections and earlier profitability for solar power stations. The transition to market-oriented trading in the renewable energy sector is urgent, leading to a widespread rush in photovoltaic deployments. Leveraging digital technologies can clearly provide a competitive edge, enabling quicker establishment, faster grid connection, and earlier returns on investment.
Historically, the industry relied heavily on the superior performance of individual hardware devices to enhance electricity generation, aiming for a synergistic effect of “1+1>2.” However, photovoltaic power stations function as comprehensive power generation systems. Over their 25-year lifecycle, the cost reductions and efficiency gains achieved through rapid, precise, and efficient simulation and design processes far exceed those obtained from optimizing single devices.
As a leader in renewable energy technology, Sunshine New Energy has introduced a suite of digital solutions based on its “Cube” technology platform, including the iSolarSim photovoltaic power generation simulation software, iSolarTool large-scale photovoltaic intelligent assessment and design software, and iSolarBP distributed intelligent assessment and design software. These tools expedite the digitization process of solar station development, addressing everything from localized simulations to overall design evaluations.
Power generation simulation is often the first step in making development decisions for power stations. However, factors such as orientation angles, tilt angle distortion, arc sag effects, and insufficient rooftop scattering light can cause simulation deviations of over 6% in mountainous, flexible support, and distributed stations. The iSolarSim software utilizes precise shadow calculation algorithms and 3D panoramic visualization technology to achieve dual high-precision simulations of real-world conditions and generation data. It can simulate residential and commercial power stations in just 10 seconds and 100 MW mountainous power stations in only 10 minutes, significantly enhancing efficiency and controlling simulation deviation to around 2%.
The iSolarSim software is just one component of Sunshine New Energy’s comprehensive suite of digital software solutions. To tackle the challenges of centralized and distributed photovoltaic assessments, the iSolarTool and iSolarBP software have emerged as essential tools for solving industry problems, receiving positive feedback from the market. The iSolarTool employs intelligent shadow analysis technology to maximize the use of available space between plots and along edges, rapidly optimizing component layouts. This tool achieves over 90% accuracy in assessments and reduces the design cycle for large power stations from 21 days to just 3-4 days, lowering the cost per watt by 2-3 cents, thus enhancing efficiency and cost control.
Experts from the Shanghai Solar Energy Society have recognized that the iSolarTool covers a broad range of applications and delivers significant results. Its innovative functions and algorithms fill a gap in the domestic software market, serving as an advanced model for the industry.
In distributed photovoltaic development, unique non-standard characteristics pose additional challenges for assessment and design. Traditional methods, such as rooftop inspections, are not only time-consuming and labor-intensive but also carry safety risks. The iSolarBP software offers four key advantages: fast inspections, accurate assessments, quick output of designs, and superior design quality. Using drone technology, it can survey a 100,000 square meter rooftop in just 2 hours, completing 3D modeling with a precision of within 10 cm in only 15 minutes, significantly saving time and labor costs.
As the renewable energy market continues to gain momentum, Sunshine New Energy’s iSolarTool, iSolarBP, and iSolarSim provide valuable user benefits through their digital, efficient, fast, and precise solutions. These tools empower partners in the solar station development sector to seize opportunities during the current rush for photovoltaic installations, securing an early advantage in the market.
