Designing Solar PV Systems with PVsyst, PVsol, AutoCAD, and SketchUp

Designing efficient solar energy systems requires a solid grasp of both physical principles and modern software tools. This comprehensive text-based guide walks you through the entire planning and design process for grid-tied and off-grid photovoltaic systems. You will transition from understanding basic solar physics to confidently configuring professional-grade solar layouts and simulations. Through step-by-step written tutorials, you will learn how to model sites, estimate energy yields, create electrical schematics, and optimize system performance using industry-standard applications. What you'll learn: - Understand foundational solar energy concepts, terminology, and solar radiation geometry - Design 3D solar shading scenes and site layouts using SketchUp - Simulate energy production and perform shading analysis in PVsyst - Configure grid-tied and off-grid systems with battery storage using PVsol Premium - Draft professional 2D solar electrical schematics and site plans in AutoCAD - Apply modern design standards for bifacial PV modules and battery energy storage integration The course begins with essential solar terminology and electrical fundamentals, then moves sequentially through site modeling, performance simulation, and detailed technical drafting. You will learn how to synthesize these tools to create cohesive, investor-ready solar design packages. This course is designed for aspiring solar designers, engineers, and clean energy enthusiasts, requiring no prior experience with CAD or solar simulation software. Start building your technical foundation and master the tools of the modern solar industry today.