Planning PV systems – from drone photography to yield simulation
Plan and sell photovoltaic systems with a single piece of software. autarc covers the entire planning process: from roof measurement via photogrammetry to automatic module layout and shading analysis, all the way to financial feasibility calculations.
What is the autarc
PV planning module?
The autarc PV planning module is a software platform for the end-to-end design of rooftop PV systems. It integrates photogrammetry, module layout, string planning, shading analysis, and financial analysis into a single application. This allows solar installers and electrical contractors to digitize their entire planning process, from the initial drone photo to the final quote.
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What features does the PV planning module include?
Why is roof surveying the bottleneck in PV planning?
Roof surveying is the bottleneck because most companies perform it manually on-site – an employee drives to the customer, measures the roof with a tape measure or laser, and then transfers the dimensions into planning software. For complex roof shapes (dormers, chimneys, skylights), this takes several hours per building. Every inaccurate measurement propagates throughout the entire planning process: incorrect module areas, unrealistic yield forecasts, rework on the construction site.
The alternative – a professional drone flight with external evaluation – only partially solves the problem. With most providers, the evaluation takes 24 hours, costs separately per model, and delivers a result that must be manually imported into the planning software. Thus, surveying remains the bottleneck: a time-consuming choke point between customer contact and quote generation.
Why do many solar installers rely on gut feeling instead of precise calculations for string planning?
Many solar installers manually plan strings because their design software doesn't automate this step or because it's handled in a separate tool. However, string planning – which involves how modules are electrically connected and distributed among inverters – is crucial for the actual annual yield of a PV system. Incorrect configurations lead to mismatch losses that accumulate over 20 years. The consequence: a higher error rate, increased planning time, and less reliable proposals.
How does PV planning with autarc work?
Measure roof
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Simply survey the roof using a standard commercial drone. All relevant roof areas and obstacles are digitally captured, providing the foundation for further PV planning.
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Create 3D roof model
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Photogrammetry converts 25 to 75 drone photos into a centimeter-accurate 3D model, complete with roof surfaces, pitch angles, obstacles, and precise measurements. The finished model is ready in the software within 15 minutes. Solar installers can capture the drone photos directly on-site with the customer and begin planning during the appointment itself.
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Automatically place modules
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The module placement calculates the optimal positioning of all modules on the 3D roof model – automatically or via drag-and-drop, even for complex roof shapes with dormers and offsets.
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Calculate strings and shading
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The string planning automatically distributes the modules to strings and MPP trackers. The shading analysis calculates the shading losses of each individual module throughout the entire year – based on the real 3D model, not on estimated values.
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Simulate profitability and create a quote
The system simulation calculates the annual yield, self-consumption rate, payback period, and return on investment – including storage and wallbox if required. The results are directly integrated into the quote generation of the autarc Office module.
Which businesses is the autarkic PV planning module suitable for?
Solar installers and electrical contractors
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...who plan rooftop systems for residential and commercial properties and want to significantly reduce planning effort per project.
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HVAC companies offering PV
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...who want to plan heat pumps and photovoltaics in a single step and offer them as a combined project.
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Companies without their own surveying equipment
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...who receive precise roof models via a photogrammetry service – without investing in equipment.
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Start-ups and growing businesses
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...who want to plan digitally from the start and work without CAD software or separate planning tools.
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What do PV installers achieve with the PV planning module?
Over 1200 companies trust our software.
Less planning effort. More deals.
Additional modules: Everything in one software
Office
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Heating design
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Thanks to LiDAR scanning and AI-supported data collection, autarc saves you up to 12 hours when planning and installing a heat pump. Buildings, rooms, and heating surfaces are captured digitally and made directly available for heat load calculations, hydraulic balancing, and heat pump design.
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Construction site
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With the Field App, your technicians have all project information right on their smartphone or tablet. Document construction progress and create acceptance reports easily and conveniently. Offline work is supported. Data synchronizes automatically as soon as an internet connection is available again.
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Services
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autarc supports you with grant applications, the creation of energy performance certificates, grid connection, and oil tank disposal. This allows you to handle all essential administrative steps directly from the software, significantly reducing your office workload.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much does autarc cost for PV planning?
Do I need my own drone for PV planning with autarc?
How accurate is the 3D roof model from photogrammetry?
Can autarc perform string planning automatically?
How does the shading analysis work in autarc?
Can autarc simulate PV systems with wallboxes and storage together?
Which roof shapes can autarc process for PV planning?
