BIMsolar features

BIMsolar® is an innovative project supported by EIT-InnoEnergy, EUROSTARS and H2020/Horizon Europe programmes and consortiums.

BIMsolar® is a web platform and a connected desktop software dedicated to promote solar innovations into architecture.

BIMsolar® supports you in your solar design, either BAPV (standards PV modules mainly on roofs) or BIPV (fully integrated into the façades and even PV windows or floors to create new building skins). Soon hybrid systems (PVT) and thermal facades (BATISOL project together with NOBATEK-INEF4).

BIMsolar® is developed and published by EnerBIM.

3D model import

BIMsolar® imports various 3D & BIM files: SKP (native Trimble SketchUp), openBIM IFC 2×3 to 4.3 versions, gbXML, IDF (EnergyPlus). BIMsolar® also imports native Autodesk REVIT models (RVT files) via a specific plugin (on request).

Weather data

Our server offers a sample data from weather stations (red markers). You can also generate your own weather site via the PVGIS API or import your own data in tm2, epw or csv formats.

Solar simulation

BIMsolar® lets you simulate the distribution of solar irradiation using weather data. The 3 components (direct, diffuse and reflectance-alebedo) are determined very precisely at any point in the 3D scene and at hourly time steps, following the sun’s path, recalibrated with the geographic coordinates of the weather site.

Solar design: BAPV & BIPV

BIMsolar supports you to create layouts with virtual modules in various modes, with lots of innovations, such as AUTO-CLADDING!

You will find a large choice of PV modules for your BAPV layouts (extensive 2016 Photon® database – last edition). You can also use them as templates to create your own library (saved as “BIMsolarPersonalDataBase” in the dedicated folder).

You will also be able to develop your creativity using the Online Panel Designer or get inspired by the BIMsolar eCatalog with its portfolio of innovations, then technically reproducing BIPV materials to get modules, using the BIMsolar editors (from glass to module configurations).

Inverters selection

You will find a large choice of inverters (extensive 2016 Photon® database – last edition). You can also use them as templates to create your own library (saved as “BIMsolarPersonalDataBase” in the dedicated folder).

Inverters can be selected or specified as closely as possible to the supplier’s data sheets. Micro-inverters can be created, following the growing innovation around BIPV and other specific systems.

Strings design - Wiring

Modules connection and wiring should be done either manually or in auto mode, following your inverters selection and your PV system configuration.

BIMsolar makes it easier to understand the connection logic between modules and inverters, minimizing mismatching losses and allowing heterogeneous modules to be connected in “free wiring” mode (typical of creative BIPV).

Detailed results & Metrics

BIMsolar® gives you access to monthly, daily or hourly detailed results. You should handle radiation charts and electrical production figures for the whole system or selecting your set of modules and inverters. You visualise and export data for production and losses due to shading, heating, cables and mismatching effects.

Financial analysis

You should perform what-if analysis to get financial performance and key economic factors for your project, global and instantaneous. Compare variants!

BIMsolar® simulates ROI, payback and LCOE indicators related to your strategies: feed-in, self-consumption, mix.