I've not done a side by side comparison, but the Pathfinder seems to be
slightly conservative, especially depending on which latitude sheet you
are using. I sometimes switch sheets and try both, when the latitude is
close to falling between (ie 37 deg, and there is 37 to 43 sheet or a 31
to 37 sheet) Checking against actual sun locations at the solstices,
it seems to be close, but I think they would rather err on the side of
caution.
I've used the Path finders for decades, and find them ideal for
discussing shading issues on site with the customer, as every one can
look at it at the same time.
For more complicated shading analysis, I can see the Suneye being more
useful. Depending on the situation, I could see using both, but the
Pathfinder is better for off grid, as we don't have accurate insolation
values at these remote locations, so detailed analysis has limited value
anyway. We're primarily looking at which trees need to be trimmed.
R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760
On 10/28/2014 3:19 PM, Dana Brandt wrote:
Hi Wrenches,
We've been using the Pathfinder along with the Pathfinder Assistant
software for several years and mostly like it. My concern with it is
there's no way to combine two or three shading images to account for a
string of modules spanning those different shading conditions. I've
spoken with the Pathfinder folks and they don't seem to understand or
acknowledge that limitation. How have you dealt with this?
So I bought a Suneye. Their software can apparently calculate string
shading including multiple solar access readings.
I took both the Pathfinder and the Suneye out on my next site
assessment and have run the results of side by side measurements. The
Suneye is showing about 10-15% better solar access for each
measurement that the Pathfinder Assistant software. I'm concerned to
see such different numbers. Has anyone else done a side by side
comparison? What have you seen?
Thanks,
Dana
Dana Brandt
Ecotech Energy Systems, LLC
www.ecotechenergy.com <http://www.ecotechenergy.com>
d...@ecotechenergy.com <mailto:d...@ecotechenergy.com>
360.318.7646
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