Metal roof attachment manufacturer S-5! and software developer PVComplete launched a web-based solar calculator designed to create solar project layouts for standing seam and exposed-fastened metal roofs.
“Compatible with most industry PV module manufacturers and any size module, the S-5! Solar Calculator is the only one in the industry that calculates PV on rail-less, direct-attach metal roofing, which makes it easy to use with our S-5-PVKIT solar mounting system,” said Rob Haddock, CEO and founder of S-5!
Users enter project data into S-5!’s Solar Calculator, including metal roof type and manufacturer, roof measurements, module size, module manufacturer and seam spacing. Based on the selected job location, the calculator computes upward (uplift), downward, lateral (seismic) and downslope/parallel forces according to ASCE 7. It also uses Google Maps to assist with the rooftop placement of modules.
The calculator provides module spacing recommendations to align standing seams with the module manufacturers mounting zones, as well as an energy output summary detailing how much energy the array will produce, the timeframe to achieve a return on investment (ROI), a bill of materials and a full report available for an authority having jurisdiction.
In as few as five clicks, users can create a solar project design packed with relevant information, including 8760-production data. The design tool has also integrated ASCE-16 structural requirements.
In the office or in the field, users can access the software via any computer device to create one or multiple solar design variations that can be exported to PDF in minutes to share with colleagues or as part of client proposals.
“Our driving mission at PVComplete is to deliver software solutions that accelerate the deployment of solar worldwide by improving the speed, accuracy and overall ROI of solar project design,” said Daniel Sherwood, president of PVComplete. “That’s why we were eager to partner with S-5! to develop this platform to enable a new level of advanced customer support with sophisticated self-service tools and automated design functionality.”
