Frequently Asked Questions

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is an innovative technology that offers a variety of building envelope solutions, materials and colors for virtually any building surface.
These BIPV products generate localized renewable electricity, transforming buildings from energy consumers to energy producers and beyond (positive externalities).
BIPV is set to play an indispensable role in the transition to decarbonization and energy resilience in cities, effectively reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. A lack of knowledge and guidance on the design of BIPV systems has hampered the widespread adoption of this technology and its creative applications.

(text extracted from “Building-Integrated Photovoltaics - A Technical Guidebook” edited by Nuria Martín Chivelet, Costa Kapsis, Francesco FrontiniCopyright 2025)

BIMsolar reads BIM formats and exchanges geometry, information and properties, from the object to the building scale, including its environment and context. BIMsolar addresses BIM.

Yes, BIMsolar is photovoltaic (PV) software for solar architecture.
It is a comprehensive tool that supports solar design, including building-applied photovoltaics (BAPV) and building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).
BIMsolar allows users to create 3D solar systems, simulate solar irradiation and design photovoltaic installations with different modules and inverters.
BIMsolar delivers a wide range of results linked to the intrinsic and parametric properties of objects and projects: technical, economic and energy studies.

The originality of BIMsolar lies in its ability to handle BIM, to express itself in 3D and to be connected to other tools, notably online.

A BIMsolar plugin is an additional module, connected to the main BIMsolar software, designed to provide additional services and results. These plug-ins are automatically installed and connected according to your license level, and are updated with each new BIMsolar version. This is the case for the LCOE module, the EDGE-HP module (EURAC Research partnership), the REVIT plugins (CADCAMATION partnership) and the XTREME Optimizer module (OPTIMAL Computing partnership).

BIMsolar has been developed for use on personal and professional computers running Microsoft Windows OS versions 7 to 11. To find out which configurations are best suited to your needs, read the corresponding document in Download page or contact the BIMsolar team directly.

BIMsolar has been developed for use on personal and professional computers running Microsoft Windows OS versions 7 to 11. MAC OS is not supported at the moment. But you may use PARALLELS DESKTOP to run WINDOWS on your MAC. To find out which configurations are best suited to your needs, read the corresponding document in Download page or contact the BIMsolar team directly.

Windows 11, Windows 10 Operating Systems
Requirements for BIMsolar software and services
An Internet connection to install and authorize your subscription. Some BIMsolar web and server features also require an Internet connection.

Recommended hardware requirements :
- A processor over 2 GHz.
- A graphics card separate from the CPU, also known as a discrete graphics card. Most current-generation AMD or NVIDIA cards on the market are considered discrete.
- At least 8 GB RAM.
- At least 200 GB of free disk space to install BIMsolar.
- A modern GPU with at least 1 GB of memory. BIMsolar's rendering engine requires support for OpenGL 3.1. BIMsolar performance depends on your graphics card driver and its ability to support OpenGL 3.1 or higher.
- A 2-button mouse with scroll wheel is sufficient.

Minimum hardware requirements :
- 1 GHz processor.
- 4 GB RAM.
- 200 GB free hard disk space.
- A modern GPU with at least 512 MB of memory and support for hardware acceleration. Video card drivers must support OpenGL 3.1 and be up-to-date.

This warning message indicates that a “Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable Package” component is missing on your System in order for BIMsolar-type applications to run correctly.

You need to install the component by visiting the BIMsolar download page or by clicking directly on the links provided here (MICROSOFT guaranteed origin):

- VC_redist_x64.exe for Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Package if this is the missing MSVCP140.DLL
- vcredist_x64.exe for Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable Package if it's the missing MSVCP120.DLL

Install, restart and relaunch BIMsolar.

NO, this feature has not yet been implemented. To open an existing BIMsolar project, you must first open the BIMsolar desktop software and then open the project from the BIMsolar interface.

BIMsolar does not model the building itself, but imports architectural, design or reconstruction models.
BIMsolar models solar objects, such as BIPV modules. For this purpose, BIMsolar offers an online Panel Designer, various multi-functional editors and interfaces for modeling solar systems in 3D mode, relative to the context of buildings and their surroundings, whatever the level of detail.

BIMsolar lets you import and rebuild the most common 3D BIM & BEM models on the market: native SKP, RVT via BIMsolar-REVIT plugins, IFC, gbxml, idf.

BIMsolar reads the native TRIMBLE SketchUp format (.SKP), analyzes and transcribes the original model into the BIMsolar 3D workspace, using geometric surfaces for irradiation simulation, albedo property assignment, and as host surfaces for solar module systems.

Today BIMsolar reads the SKP format that RHINO produces, analyzes and transcribes the original model into the BIMsolar 3D workspace, using geometric surfaces for irradiation simulation, albedo property assignment, and as host surfaces for solar module systems.

BIMsolar does not read the native DWG format. However, BIMsolar does process REVIT projects, which incorporate 3D DWG objects.

The albedo is determined by the user based on their knowledge of the actual environment of their project, expressed as a percentage of albedo according to common usage. Double-clicking on each surface or group of surfaces in the model allows BIMsolar to assign this albedo value.

The object components used by BIMsolar through its libraries are PV cells, BAPV and BIPV modules, glazing, and inverters. These libraries are consolidated by the BIMsolar team based on the PHOTON 2016 historical database (BAPV modules and inverters) and according to the main innovations on the market (BIPV). BIMsolar does not guarantee that supplier databases are kept up to date, but allows users to quickly create components from the technical data sheets available on the suppliers' websites.

Simulation is when results are computed by mimicking the dynamic behavior of a system. In its broader sense, simulation is the process of observing the dynamic behavior of a system with varying sets of inputs. In reliability engineering, randomness almost always exists in the system behavior. Thus, to mimic this behavior, simulation requires random numbers as inputs. Simulation that involves random numbers is known as Monte Carlo simulation.

(source: support.PTC.com)

Ray tracing is a computer graphics technique used to create highly realistic images by simulating the way light interacts with objects. It traces the path of light rays as they bounce off surfaces, producing effects like reflections, shadows, and refractions. This method is widely used in movies, video games, and simulations to achieve stunning visual fidelity. In essence, ray tracing focuses on realism compared to other methods.

(source: ChatGPT)

IFC or Industry Foundation Classes is a global standard for describing, sharing and exchanging information on building and facility management.
It is a non-proprietary, neutral data format. IFC provides a set of definitions for all types of object elements encountered in the construction industry and a text structure to store such definitions in a data file.
The IFC schema is constantly evolving. The current version, released in 2013, is IFC 4 (the prior releases were labelled as 1.0, 1.5, 1.51 and then 2x, 2×2, 2×3).
The IFC 5 version is still in preparation with further parametric capabilities and the activation of the infrastructure domain.

BuildingSMART International has defined a certification process to guarantee that the correct processes for importing and exporting IFC data are followed, ensuring compliance with the standards.
All IFC certified programs are capable of reading, writing and exchanging information with other software solutions according to data provided by buildingSMART.
IFC files may be exported and exchanged between software products using .ifc, .ifcXML and .ifcZIP file formats.

(source: BIMcorner & BuildingSMART)

BIMsolar is compatible with openBIM standards IFC 2X3 & IFC4 (ISO 16739:2013 standard). BIMsolar imports, reads and reconstructs the user's IFC models to restore the project in its architectural and BIM integrity.

BIMsolar is compatible with Autodesk's REVIT BIM standards, from version 2020 to 2025, through the use of BIMsolar-REVIT plugins. The REVIT model is transcribed and analyzed by BIMsolar, the user can create solar designs, PV, BAPV and BIPV systems, then the project is reintegrated into the REVIT source model to continue and guarantee the project's “design to build to operate” requirements.)

Simply register online with a username (e-mail address) and password. These settings will enable BIMsolar to recognize you as a licensed BIMsolar user.

A FREE feature is activated by subscribing to a FREE license by default or at the end of the PRO trial period. This applies to all features essential for discovering and learning how to use BIMsolar.

The PRO version is the benchmark offering in the BIMsolar Plan & Pricing. It provides access to all business features for PV, BAPV, and BIPV. It is enhanced every quarter with new features as the BIMsolar team's R&D and innovation work progresses. The license subscription is annual and can be renewed voluntarily by the license holder.

A PRO feature is activated by subscribing to a PRO license. This applies to all business features that enable PV, BAPV, and BIPV engineering studies, such as creating equipment, saving projects, and exporting results.

The PREMIUM version is the top-of-the-range offer in the BIMsolar Plan & Pricing. It provides access to all PRO features plus PREMIUM plugins and PREMIUM services (support, training, advice). It is enhanced annually with new features as the BIMsolar team and its partners carry out R&D and innovation work. The license subscription is annual and can be renewed voluntarily by the license holder.

A PREMIUM feature is activated by subscribing to a PREMIUM license. This applies to all features additional to the PRO license and related services: support, training, consulting.

YES. We offer fully functional trial versions of our products and packages. BIMsolar PRO & PREMIUM can be tested for 14 days. At the end of your trial period, you can continue using the product by purchasing a PRO or PREMIUM license (see PLANS AND PRICING for details). If you choose not to convert your trial version to an annual subscription, your experience will automatically be downgraded to the BIMsolar Free plan.

If you would like to extend your trial period, please contact our customer center with your reasons and we will be happy to help you.

Simply subscribe to the license of your choice on the Plan & Pricing page.

You must be a company with VAT number and submit your request to us via the contact form.

You will receive a secure link for payment via STRIPE or SEPA transfer.

The terms and conditions of payment are linked to the STRIPE payment platform > learn more

The terms and conditions of payment are linked to the STRIPE payment platform > learn more

Your license will be activated max within 24 hours of receipt of notification that payment has been transferred to our accounts.

The terms and conditions for refunds on license subscriptions are specified in the Software License Agreement.

YES, this option is offered to you for confirmation when you first subscribe.

Current pricing information is always available on our product pages: https://www.bim-solar.com/plan-pricing - https://sketch.bimwiq.com/

EnerBIM and partners offer instructor-led training courses for BIMsolar, BIMWIQ Sketch and linked tools. Each course is delivered in our virtual classroom (via Calendly/Teams) always privately. The PREMIUM BIMsolar license includes learning and project assistance.

See our Learn page for further details.

Our plans are free for non-members and grow with you as your skills develop. Our PRO plan can be tested free of charge for 14 days at any time.

To help unleash the potential of non-profit teams, EnerBIM offers special pricing to eligible nonprofit organizations. Motivated demands must be sent to the customer center.

When a license application for a non-profit organization is submitted, the information is analyzed by our lawyers, who subject it to a thorough review against our non-profit license eligibility criteria. Please be aware that we may need additional information from you in order to continue offering discounted licensing.

YES. FREE Academic license for Educational institutions: an educational institution must be registered with a recognized local, regional, federal or national government department or department whose main purpose is to teach registered students.

YES. Secondary and higher education students, graduate students and teachers who use BIMsolar products in the classroom and/or as part of learning activities. Class subscription holders can benefit from the FREE academic license. To find out more, visit the BIMsolar Plan & Pricing page.

EnerBIM does not offer special pricing for unaffiliated resellers. Special pricing is available for BIMsolar Corporate Resellers and official EnerBIM Partners. To find out more, visit the BIMsolar Plan & Pricing page.

EnerBIM verifies non-profit, student and teacher, and academic institution eligibility, determines qualification for discounted or academic licenses at its sole discretion. We reserve the right to grant or deny an individual or organization’s application for a discounted or academic license, or to discontinue an active discounted license, at any time, for any reason, and to supplement or amend our non-profit and Academic license eligibility guidelines at any time. Our expectation is that in ordinary circumstances you will have a response within 1 business day.