To understand the how you can improve accuracy using SunSolve Yield, it is useful to compare it with the industry standard approach.
The view factor model represents the modules in 2D. It assumes no structure, no frames, no spacing between modules or groups of modules and no wavelength dependencies.
To adjust the view factor model to account for real-world complexities such as shading, spectrum and mismatch, users are required to guesstimate a series of loss factors. These are often left at the default values leading to inaccurate forecasts.
Oversimplification of the optical model then flows through to the thermal and electrical models. Inaccuracies in the optical results provide a shaky foundation on which the rest of the forecast is built.
SunSolve Yield starts with a 3D model of your system components. You can define system dimensions easily using our built-in wizards or import CAD components to model your system even more accurately.
SunSolve's advanced algorithms deal with real-world complexities as part of the simulation. This significantly reduces the uncertainty associated with estimating loss factors. You can even use SunSolve to calculate loss factors for other programs.
The results from the 3D modelled optical stage, flow through to advanced thermal and electrical models. Greater accuracy in the optical stage leads to greater accuracy in the thermal and electrical stages.
The only simulation environment that models the physics from solar cell right through to annual yield.
RELATED RESOURCES
Explore guides, papers, and supporting materials.
Dr. Malcolm Abbott presents at the 14th bifiPV Workshop in Yiwu, China, on bridging lab-based digital twins with real-world energy yield predictions for bifacial and back-contact modules using SunSolve.
Learn how to use the new automated feature in SunSolve Yield to generate bifacial correction factors for view-factor programs like PVsyst. This streamlines the process of correcting rear irradiance calculations for more accurate yield assessments.
Live recording of Dr. Malcolm Abbotts presentation from the 53rd IEEE PVSC 2025 in Montreal, covering spectral correction methods for yield forecasting of perovskite-silicon tandem solar modules. The talk explores how spectral effects are significantly stronger in tandems compared to conventional silicon cells, and demonstrates integration approaches for both advanced simulation software and industry-standard tools like PVsyst.