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⚠️ Libfredo 15.4b | Minor release with bugfixes and improvements Update

[Plugin] Skelion (solar, shadows)

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  • J Offline
    Juantxo
    last edited by 24 Feb 2012, 08:24

    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....

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    • T Offline
      thomthom
      last edited by 24 Feb 2012, 08:45

      @Juantxo: Avoid using Sketchup.find_support_file to 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.

      Thomas Thomassen — SketchUp Monkey & Coding addict
      List of my plugins and link to the CookieWare fund

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      • J Offline
        Juantxo
        last edited by 26 Feb 2012, 19:40

        @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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        • M Offline
          masonc
          last edited by 1 Mar 2012, 02:14

          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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          • T Offline
            thomthom
            last edited by 1 Mar 2012, 08:47

            @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.

            Thomas Thomassen — SketchUp Monkey & Coding addict
            List of my plugins and link to the CookieWare fund

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            • M Offline
              masonc
              last edited by 3 Mar 2012, 22:15

              @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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              • J Offline
                Juantxo
                last edited by 4 Mar 2012, 20:27

                Ok, maybe in next release multiple offset could be added.
                If you need it a lot, you can install one of those plugins:

                Multiple face offset
                Multiple offsets

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                • J Offline
                  Juantxo
                  last edited by 7 May 2012, 10:18

                  @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&amp;hl=en_US[/flash:kj85orwu]

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                  • J Offline
                    Juantxo
                    last edited by 7 May 2012, 10:44

                    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:

                    http://skelion.net/images/forum/f6_cartesian.jpg

                    http://skelion.net/images/forum/f5_polar.jpg

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                    • V Offline
                      vladglebov
                      last edited by 31 May 2012, 02:46

                      Just purchased the Pro version but would be helpful to have a better tutorial... having lots of trouble figuring it out.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • J Offline
                        Juantxo
                        last edited by 31 May 2012, 06:45

                        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

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                        • B Offline
                          bnwitt
                          last edited by 23 Dec 2012, 17:59

                          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


                          Simple rooftop PV layout

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                          • A Offline
                            AirWindSolar
                            last edited by 7 Mar 2013, 18:53

                            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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                            • B Offline
                              bently
                              last edited by 14 May 2013, 15:59

                              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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                              • J Offline
                                Juantxo
                                last edited by 14 May 2013, 16:46

                                PVSYST exporter is not yest in manual but you can export pressing pvsyst icon: pvsyst_icon.JPG.
                                Buildings does not project shadows over solar panels. They are working to fix that. But size and position of solar panels are right.

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                                • T Offline
                                  The_Robbies
                                  last edited by 26 Jun 2013, 21:30

                                  My latest job:
                                  About 100 kWp

                                  http://solar.onlinedivision.eu/images/SKUP-MAXWELL-IMAGE-002.jpg

                                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • S Offline
                                    solemassoud
                                    last edited by 15 Jul 2013, 03:17

                                    I have been using Skelion pro for a few months and it is a great tool. lately the 'sunny area' (Moon icon) calculation tool doesn't seem to work. I normally check for shaded surfaces before laying out the panels.

                                    could you please advise if there is a bug in the plug in or if there is detailed instructions on how to use the tool.

                                    Thanks,

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                                    • K Offline
                                      kaiyer
                                      last edited by 1 Nov 2013, 17:54

                                      PVWatts is changing. There is a new version http://pvwattsbeta.nrel.gov/
                                      that will replace the v1 and v2 versions soon. How do I update to point to the new PVWatts. Is this something I can do myself? Can you update and release a new version?

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                                      • Y Offline
                                        yiannosh
                                        last edited by 2 Dec 2013, 17:15

                                        Hi,
                                        I have just installed Skelion plugin V5.0.8 on my pc.
                                        When i pick any button on Skelion toolbar, an empty window appeared on the screen, and I can't do anything.
                                        Can anyone help me?

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                                        • J Offline
                                          Juantxo
                                          last edited by 3 Dec 2013, 15:32

                                          @kaiyer said:

                                          PVWatts is changing. There is a new version http://pvwattsbeta.nrel.gov/
                                          that will replace the v1 and v2 versions soon. How do I update to point to the new PVWatts. Is this something I can do myself? Can you update and release a new version?

                                          No, you can not update yourself. You need to wait to for a new Skelion release.
                                          You are talking of a beta PVWATTS. When it will be stable Skelion will change if it is necessary.

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