Introducing Solargis Evaluate 2.0: A new standard for PV project design and evaluation

Today, we launched Solargis Evaluate 2.0, the next generation of our Evaluate solution.

The new Evaluate is a more advanced, cloud-based software solution for complete PV project design and evaluation, equipping project developers and industry experts with everything they need to tackle the growing complexity of modern solar projects.

Solargis Evaluate 2.0 integrates:

• High-resolution solar, meteorological, and environmental data
• 3D PV power plant design module
• PV components catalog
• Advanced PV performance simulation
• Analytical reporting

The new-generation Solargis Evaluate is the solar industry’s most robust solution, leveraging 15-minute Time Series data as default and using ray tracing technology and proprietary ground albedo data to deliver more accurate and reliable energy yield simulations.

Addressing many of the challenges project developers and PV experts face, Evaluate 2.0 helps make solar projects more efficient, financially feasible, and resilient. 

We are excited to introduce it to you.

Discover all the features of Solargis Evaluate 2.0.

High-resolution data approach for extreme weather resilience

Since extreme weather events have become more frequent, it's crucial to design power plants that can adapt to both short-term and interannual weather variability. While TMY aggregates data from past years into a 'typical' year, capturing only average weather patterns, Evaluate 2.0 leverages 15-minute Time Series data spanning up to 30 years, delivering incomparably more accurate and reliable PV simulations.

Comparison of the lowest temperature recorded by 15-minute TMY data versus the lowest temperatures recorded in the corresponding year using 15-minute Time Series data.

Unlike the industry-standard hourly TMY, which provides us with 8,760 (24 x 365) data points, Evaluate 2.0 is capable of simulating 30 years in 15-minute intervals, generating 1,051,200 (30 x 8,760 x 4) data values per parameter. This is 120 times the granularity of the current standard.

Low-granularity datasets like the above mentioned hourly TMY may skew simulations, often resulting in overly optimistic performance predictions.

Comparison of data points per parameter of hourly TMY, 15-minute TMY and 15-minute Time Series data.

Solargis' high-resolution data approach enables PV developers to simulate power plant performance with greater confidence, empowering them to optimize designs for long-term resilience against both typical and extreme weather conditions.

Advanced PV simulation accuracy for bifacial systems

Bifacial systems are fast becoming the industry standard. However, many existing industry tools fall short in providing reliable software capable of accurately predicting PV performance for bifacial technology. Traditional methods, such as the view factor model based on the isotropic sky model, oversimplify rear-side radiation, often resulting in inaccurate energy yield predictions.

Our Evaluate 2.0 platform incorporates our own, validated ground surface albedo data with advanced ray tracing technology based on an anisotropic sky model, offering a more realistic representation of reflected radiation for bifacial PV systems.

Compared to the simplified model, the anisotropic sky model and ray tracing technology accounts also for variations in reflections and shading from nearby objects like PV modules, structures, trees, and buildings. This ensures highly accurate PV simulations that align with both performance expectations and financial objectives.

1. Direct light, 2. Diffuse light, 3. Near shading, 4. Ground surface albedo, 5. Anisotropic sky dome, 6. Far horizon

The most reliable database of PV component technical specifications

One of the solar industry’s persistent challenges is managing inconsistent and unverified PV component data. Evaluate 2.0 introduces the PV Component Catalog, our own rigorously validated web platform of PV modules, inverters, and other components, ensuring all component data is reliable, up to date, and aligned with real-world performance.

While before, inconsistent component specifications and a lack of standardization often led to flawed designs and overly optimistic predictions, Evaluate 2.0 mitigates these risks. The PV Component Catalog is verified through advanced models, algorithms, data, and expert validation, enabling PV developers to design solar power plants with confidence.

PV Components Catalog integrated in Solargis Evaluate 2.0

An all-in-one platform for complete PV project design and evaluation

Evaluate 2.0 consolidates the functionalities of multiple tools into a single, cloud-based platform, covering all phases of solar project evaluation—from early feasibility studies to due diligence. It provides developers, EPCs, investors, and technical advisors with a unified solution for designing resilient, future-proof solar power plants.

"Solargis Evaluate 2.0 is the most robust PV design and evaluation platform on the global solar market," said Marcel Suri, the CEO and co-founder of Solargis.

"To me, launching Evaluate 2.0 marks the beginning of a new era where solar industry professionals can work with data and software at unprecedented levels of detail and design resilient, future-proof solar power plants.”

Learn more about Solargis Evaluate 2.0