[Plugin] Skelion (solar, shadows)
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I really like this plugin for SketchUp, had I'd known about it from the very beginning it would have helped me produce models quicker and easier.
Anyway, my main question regarding the plugin is how do I get it to maximise the full area when laying down solar panels? For example, I put a 16" offset from the edge of a residential roof. After selecting the now smaller area and when I have plugged in the tilt/azimuth, etc., the panels don't take up all the space available. They seem to work from the middle > out. I had to move them to one side to add an additional 2 rows within the same space.
Is this just in the free version or is it deliberately set up like this?
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Please, send the model or an image please.
Plugin insert panels in rows, from down to the top, and centering panels of each row from borders.
Actually not maximize space in vertical. User must sometimes modify rows. May be in a future it will be improved. -
I must have been entering something wrong as it seems to match it now on some of our previous models we've done.
However, I did notice on the following attachment, that it doesn't seem to align itself along the roof edge and thus having an angled system from top left to bottom right.
Judging by the measurements we can get two rows of panels aligned with the rooftop edge, but just wanted to throw this out to you.
Cheers
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Thanks for your post. Some people have problems understanding how to insert panels. So I think it's necessary make a video to teach how to insert solar panels, co-planar or with some tilt, over the roof.
With the plugin you can insert panels like you want, but it's necessary understand the concept of azimuth and tilt relative. This concept it's a bit dark...
Selecting an edge and a face, and using the rights azimuth and tilt relative you can insert the panels in many ways.
We'll try to make a video... -
@stbovo said:
Unfortunately it does not work in Mac OSX
Finally, last version of Skelion runs on MAC.
Thanks to Dan Rathbun, driven and thomthom for their help in the task. -
Oddly, a friend asked me yesterday if I could draw up some solar panels on his house.
and the mac version arrives...however, I only get one grey button, with no functionality, and no errors in ruby console.
As I can't see the script, I can't see what paths are expected.
Sketchup installed [via the rbz] into my ~/Library/ path, not not the normal HD/Library path.
The html for the license and one blank toolbar is all I got...
Possibly a paths issue.
does it have any dependencies? or require statements?john
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It will be a path issue or maybe you downloaded an older version. I had some problems in the web with browsers cache. Today I changed the name of file so name is "skelion_v52.rbz" for no confusion.
Plugin uses only one require,
require 'sketchup'
and statements similar to:
Sketchup.find_support_file "_1angles.html" ,"Plugins/_skelion"
Sketchup.find_support_file("moon_16.png", "Plugins/_skelion/images")With normal users, and stored in normal path of a MAC, ir works. "Library/Application Support/Google Sketchup 8/Sketchup/plugins/"
May be is related with uppercase "Plugins" "plugins" or the place you are storing files.... -
@Juantxo: Avoid using
Sketchup.find_support_fileto determine the path for your plugin - it might not be in the default SketchUp folder at all. Some times OSX users place then in their User folder - and some users place their plugins in a shared folder elsewhere.Instead use the
__FILE__constant that returns the name and path of the current file.Example:
<span class="syntaxdefault">root_path </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">=</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> File</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">.</span><span class="syntaxdefault">dirname</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">(</span><span class="syntaxdefault">__FILE__</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">)<br /></span><span class="syntaxdefault">support_folder </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">=</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> File</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">.</span><span class="syntaxdefault">join</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">(</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> root_path</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">,</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> </span><span class="syntaxstring">'_skelion'</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">)<br /></span><span class="syntaxdefault">image_folder </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">=</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> File</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">.</span><span class="syntaxdefault">join</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">(</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> support_folder</span><span class="syntaxkeyword">,</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> </span><span class="syntaxstring">'images'</span><span class="syntaxdefault"> </span><span class="syntaxkeyword">)<br /></span><span class="syntaxdefault"> </span>That makes the plugin robust to any location it might be installed to.
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@driven said:
Sketchup installed [via the rbz] into my ~/Library/ path, not not the normal HD/Library path.
Now is fixed. Download "skelion_v503.rbz".
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I've tried the extension renaming trick, Sketchup still doesn't allow me to select the RBZ file. Any other way to get this done?
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@masonc said:
I've tried the extension renaming trick, Sketchup still doesn't allow me to select the RBZ file. Any other way to get this done?
You could try this plugin to help: http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?t=42315#p375454
Simplifies installing .zip, .rbz, .rb, .rbs plugin files to your plugin directory. -
@juantxo said:
@hampson said:
Anyway, my main question regarding the plugin is how do I get it to maximise the full area when laying down solar panels?...
One of the features you should consider adding is a roof edge spacing, as in, I want to calculate the amount of PV on this roof, here is the panel, here is the tilt, I want to remain 18" from the edges as per best practices. It would make it easier to calculate the maximum PV given a certain roof shape.
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Ok, maybe in next release multiple offset could be added.
If you need it a lot, you can install one of those plugins: -
@hampson said:
Anyway, my main question regarding the plugin is how do I get it to maximise the full area when laying down solar panels?...
Maybe with this video you will be able to understand better how plugin works inserting components.
[flash=560,349:kj85orwu]http://www.youtube.com/v/kTUDK-_zJ2g?version=3&hl=en_US[/flash:kj85orwu]
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A new version (skelion_v504) has been released.
Now you can pile up components in same row and distribute rows in same grid with "rows alignment". A user's guide has been added too.Sun path chart plots has been added as free features to the plugin:
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Just purchased the Pro version but would be helpful to have a better tutorial... having lots of trouble figuring it out.
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For mac users:
Safari 5.1.7 turns black the text boxes of plugin dialogs.
Read this thread to solve the problem:
http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=45382&hilit=black+webdialog&start=15 -
I have been using this plugin now for several months. It has changed the way I do PV system modeling. I now start every project in Sketchup with Skelion and then go to my cad program to finish the customer presentation. On some projects, I have created the entire presentation in Sketchup/Skelion.
What I like best about working with Skelion, is the ability to set the start time and stop time on any date for the shading from row to row and having the row spacing automatically calculated by Skelion. I have redone several system layouts with Skelion and been able to get more modules on a site then my previous calcs allowed.
I also love the speed at which I can complete a layout and then render it for a client in either jpeg or animation. This program has cut that time by leaps and bounds. For a ground mount where no building must be drawn I can create utility scale layouts in minutes. For projects where a structure must be created, the module layout is now the easiest part of the job. The simple rooftop layout shown in the attached file took 5 minutes and I know the row spacing is correct without doing the math. I've verified several layouts from skelion in other shading analysis programs and just by doing the math and the accuracy is excellent.
Figuring out the Skelion interface didn't take too long with the help of Juan Pons(the creator of Skelion)since he is so quick to reply to emails. He even added some features I requested in one of my emails. Of course a detailed manual would be great and I'm sure once the number of users gets high enough to warrant a redo Juan will do that. If you are a PV designer Sketchup is an excellent tool for Shading analysis. With the Skelion plugin added it can't be beat. I love it.
Barry
C3 Solar Design
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Maybe I'm missing something in setting up the component, but I've got a big project coming up that we might be using Zilla Cobra ( http://www.zillarac.com/Portals/0/Documents/PDF/systems/ZillaCobra_Specs_0512.pdf ) racking for. I built a component of a 280W panel attached to a single Cobra unit, and when I went to use it with Skelion, I couldn't figure out a way to get to it happily match up at the fixed spacing. (Cobra links together in columns, rather than rows.)
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I have been using your pro version for quite a while now, it is fantastic! I just wanted to thank you for an affordable time saver... I noticed on your new website it says the 3d model can be exported into PVSYST. Is there any instructions on that... That would be soooo helpful. PVsyst modeling is quite cumbersome!
Thanks again,
Bently
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