Is there a way to set the particular type of rooftop solar to be modeled in BEopt? The watts/cost as well as watts/SF are different for lots of different solar suppliers and module types. How do I specify, or at least how do I know what BEopt is assuming so that I can see if my actual solution is better/worse than what was assumed in the optimization?
BEopt models generic PV modules, not specific products on the market. (In the same way that it models generic HVAC systems and water heaters with a certain rated efficiency level, not specific manufacturer's products.) BEopt uses the PVWatts model to estimate PV electricity production, where PVWatts is a very popular software tool used by industry. You can see the PVWatts documentation (click on Help) if you want to know more about how that model works and what assumptions it uses.
See Tools > Options manager. Note that the default costs are national averages circa 2018. You cannot edit the defaults but you can make a copy and modify that, and/or you can make adjustments for inflation and local costs via Site > Screen; PV has its own separate multipliers. See the built-in help for further details.
Comments