1. What is the operating environment of HelioBase®?
The following are the system requirements for HelioBase®:
| Item |
Specifications Required |
| CPU |
Core i5 / i7 Equivalent to a CPU or higher. |
| MEMORY |
Windows Memory Recommendation + 100MB |
| Graphics adapter |
Graphics adapter that supports OpenGL3.0 or higher. |
| HDD Destination storage |
Storage such as HDD with at least 2.5GB of free space. |
| OS |
To meet the following requirements
- Windows XP Professional SP3 (32/64bit)
- WindowsVista Business SP2 (32/64bit)
- Windows7 Professional (32/64bit)
|
| .net Framework |
To meet the following requirements
- .net Framework 3.5 or higher.
|
| Microsoft Office |
To meet the following requirements
- Microsoft Excel 2003 or higher.
|
| Internet Connection |
http(port80) and https(port443) communications are necessary. |
The above requirements, however, will not always guarantee operation. Depending on the number of modules used for simulation and of 3D models of buildings and structures and on the complexity of the configuration, proper operation may require more resources than described above.
2. Will the registry and other system information be changed upon installing HelioBase®?
Only the minimum registry changes needed for HelioBase to appear in Window's "Uninstall" will be made upon installation. HelioBase® will not directly write on the registry.
Installing HelioBase® will involve writing on the following sectors:
| Type |
Description |
|
HelioBase® (main unit) attached data files
|
sector |
Folder that specified during installation. default Place:\Program Files\HelioBase\・・
|
| content |
HelioBase's execution file and related data files. |
| License Information |
sector |
Windows XP
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\HelioBase\License\
Windows Vista / 7
C:\ProgramData\HelioBase\License\
|
| content |
License information files |
| Excel report template |
sector |
Windows XP
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\HelioBase\Excel\
Windows Vista / 7
C:\ProgramData\HelioBase\Excel\
|
| content |
Template files for Excel reports |
| Database |
sector |
Windows XP
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\HelioBase\DB\
Windows Vista / 7
C:\ProgramData\HelioBase\DB\
|
| content |
Equipments and meteorological data |
| Texture Materials |
sector |
Windows XP
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\HelioBase\Materials\
Windows Vista / 7
C:\ProgramData\HelioBase\Materials\
|
| content |
System material data used as texture for 3D models. |
1. What weather databases are supported?
METPV-3 (contains data for 836 locations in Japan), METPV-11 (contains data for 837 locations in Japan), TMY-3 (1020 locations in the U.S.) and EnergyPlus (2126 locations all over the world) are included in the package. Also, data from Meteonorm and other software can be imported by converting to TMY3 format (expressed in hours).
2. How many types of PV modules and power conditioners are included in the equipment database?
The database includes the latest PV modules and power conditioners from more than 60 manufacturers. The equipment database is continually updated, so please refer to the datasheet from the latest available version.
3. Can users add equipment not included in the database?
Yes. HelioBase® accommodates both system-data and user-data. Although the user cannot change or delete system-data, adding, changing, and deleting user-data is possible. It is also possible to make a copy of system-data to create user-data.
4. Are simulations for grid-connected and stand-alone power systems possible?
Since HelioBase® enables freely choosing devices to be included for simulation, forecasting power generation is possible for both grid-connected and stand-alone power systems.
5. What languages are supported?
HelioBase® supports both English and Japanese.
6. Does it support constructing objects such as buildings on its 3DCAD viewer?
No. For 3D model construction, please use any CAD software you are familiar with. 3D models can be imported by dragging and dropping STL data to the 3DCAD viewer of HelioBaseR, where the imported objects can then be moved, rotated, and copied.
7. In what directions can the PV system be viewed on the 3DCAD viewer?
There are no viewing-angle limits on the 3DCAD viewer of HelioBase®. The arrangement, shadows, and reflected light conditions of the PV system can be checked from different angles and directions.
8. Will the shadows shown on the 3DCAD viewer be included in the calculation of generated power?
Yes. HelioBase® will simulate power generation by the hour if there are no shadows. If necessary, when there are shadows, power generation will be simulated in smaller time units for each PV module.
9. Is it possible to carry out simulation that includes equipment that uses electricity only during specific time periods?
Yes. Electric appliances can be added to the configuration tree. Since running times can be specified in the property settings of the electric appliances added for simulation, it is possible to include appliances that consume power only at specific time periods.
10. How is the amount of power generated by the PV modules computed?
HelioBase® supports both parameter analysis based on JIS C8907 and IV-curve calculation using the one-diode model for computing amount of power generated. Temperature and amount of insolation can also be computed by changing certain option settings.
11. Can reports be outputted?
Yes, reports can be outputted either in standard format or in Excel format. In the Excel report, the output file can be generated according to a template specified by the user, enabling freedom in layouting and choosing what items to display in the report.
12. Is there a need to install Excel?
Excel (2003, 2007 or 2010) must be installed on the computer to use the Excel report.
1. How much does HelioBase® cost?
Price depends on the edition.
2. What is a "nodelock license"?
"Nodelock license" refers to license granted to only one computer, wherein installation is only allowed for one computer.
3. What is a "removable key license"?
"Removable key license" refers to license granted to one removable USB device. The software can be installed on several computers but, since the license is tied to the USB key, it can only be used when the USB device is connected to the computer and therefore does not allow simultaneous use from different computers.
