ABSTRACT
This chapter sets out the criteria for the system design component. When designing a solar farm, it is very important to consider the solar radiation characteristics for the specific location where the solar array will be installed. Lightning and surge protection for a PV array is required in areas that are likely to experience lightning strikes; it consists of a combination of earthing and surge protectors. Computer-aided design optimisation tools are very useful during all stages of the design process described in this chapter, as well as in the preliminary stages, when submitting project proposals or seeking finance. Once the design is finalised it will need to be drawn up accurately using computer-aided design (CAD) and/or geographic information system (GIS) software. HELIOS 3D is a tool designed specifically for utility-scale solar systems and uses AutoCAD Civil 3D to place 3D solar racking in a 3D space.
