Solmetric iPV iPhone App

Solmetric iPV is an iPhone based preliminary site assessment tool. While it cannot match the speed and accuracy of the SunEye, its low cost makes site assessment available to anyone with an iPhone.

Solmetric iPV iPhone App

The Solmetric iPV is the evolution of SunTracker, developed by Imeasure Systems and acquired by Solmetric in February 2010. It is an iPhone based preliminary site assessment tool. While it cannot match the speed and accuracy of the SunEye, its low cost makes site assessment available to anyone with an iPhone.

Solmetric iPV is a self-contained iPhone app; all of the information you need for a site evaluation is stored on the iPhone. This includes world-wide hourly weather data and a wide range of PV panels and inverters. By utilizing the compass (on 3GS) and inclinometer functions of the iPhone, you simply trace the edge of your skyline with the on screen cross-hairs. The position and elevation of the obstructions are recorded and overlaid on a sun plot.

Using a built in weather station database Solmetric iPV produces an estimate of the monthly solar energy at a location, taking into account the local shading. Solmetric iPV generates a personalized PDF site survey report. The report includes: the shade profile; estimated AC and DC output based on the selected PV panel and inverter configuration; and estimated revenue per month from the electricity generated. Using the App you can e-mail this report from the job site back to your office.

You can view a sample report here.

For more information on Solmetric iPV refer to the user manual located here.

What is the difference between the Solmetric iPV App and the SunEye?
Solmetric offer a range of tools, from the convenience of the iPhone based Solmetric iPV to the speed, accuracy and robustness of the SunEye 210. The Solmetric iPV is a preliminary site assessment tool. It's accuracy is limited by the capability of the sensors in the iPhone, for example the compass accuracy. Typically professional installers doing more than a few assessment per month place high value on the speed and accuracy of the SunEye. This allows them to produce accurate results at every site, every time.

If you own an iPhone, the Solmetric iPV is a great complement to the SunEye. It means for only $29.99, you will always have access to a site survey tool. This can be used for customer education, pre-assessment or final on site checking, however we suggest you check the results of each survey carefully and do not make financial decisions on the basis of the iPhone tool alone.

More details are available here.

What is the difference between the Solmetric iPV estimator and the Solmetric PVDesigner Software package?
The Solmetric iPV provides a preliminary estimator with limited control of the system configuration and it uses a single point shade reference. PVDesigner uses shade data from multiple points on the array, simulating partial shading. You also have control over the system design parameters, for example you can lay out your panels and optimize the string design.

  • Skyline target to trace skyline with on-screen cross-hairs target
  • obstruction elevation vs. azimuth plot with sun paths
  • solar access and shade calculations
  • built-in database of modules and inverters
  • worldwide hourly weather data
  • AC kWh estimates
  • single and dual axis tracking systems
  • pdf report and email export

Accessing Solmetric iPV
Solmetric iPV costs $29.99 and is available on the Apple App Store.

Hardware configuration Solmetric iPV runs on the iPhone 3GS, 3G or iPod Touch second generation. The iPhone 3GS, with its built-in compass, is the preferred platform.

SunTracker App Support
If you own a SunTracker App you do not need to also buy the Solmetric iPV. Solmetric will provide support and updates to SunTracker. New users should download the Solmetric iPV.