Manual CAD Input Standards 

Boundaries

1. Boundaries need to be created with the layer 'pvfarm_boundary_anyName'

2. Make sure boundaries are closed polylines

   1. use the JOIN command to make closed polylines and join different parts of a boundary

3. Rename existing boundaries layer via the Rename menu

   • RENAME command

     • Layer section

     • Find a boundary layer

     • Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_boundary_anyName_include'

       • anyName will be any name that you would like to assign to this particular group of boundaries.
       • include/exclude will determine if the boundaries in this layer will come in as inclusion or exclusion zones. This input must come last in the sequence.

     • Make sure the new name is applied for boundaries in the Model space

Roads

1. Roads need to be created as lines, arcs, and polylines with the name 'pvfarm_road_Xft'

2. Rename existing roads layer via the Rename menu

   • RENAME command

     • Layer section

     • Find a road layer

     • Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_road_Xft'

     • Make sure the new name is applied for roads in the Model space

Trackers

1. Trackers need to be created as a block reference with the name 'pvfarm_tracker_anyName'

2. Make sure the tracker shape is rectangular and a closed polyline

3. Rename existing tracker block reference via the Rename menu

   • RENAME command

     • Blocks section

     • Find a tracker block

     • Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_tracker_anyName'

     • Create new Layer and move the block there: pvfarm_equipment

1. • • Make sure the new name is applied for trackers in the Model space

Fixed-Tilt Objects

1. Fixed-Tilt objects need to be created as a block reference with the name 'pvfarm_fixed-tilt_anyName'

2. Make sure the fixed-tilt shape is rectangular and a closed polyline

3. Rename existing fixed-tilt block reference via the Rename menu

   • RENAME command

     • Blocks section

     • Find a fixed-tilt block

     • Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_fixed-tilt_anyName'

     • Create new Layer and move the block there: pvfarm_equipment

     • Make sure the new name is applied for fixed-tilt objects in the Model space.

Skid

1. Skids need to be created as a block reference with the name 'pvfarm_skid_typeX'

2. Make sure the skid shape is rectangular and a closed polyline

3. Rename existing skid block reference via the Rename menu

   • RENAME command

     • Blocks section

     • Find a skid block

     • Rename it with the name 'pvfarm_skid_typeX'

     • Create new Layer and move the block there: pvfarm_equipment

     • Make sure the new name is applied for skids in the Model space

Create Electrical Group

Electrical groups can be created two ways:

Our prefered method:

1. Draw a polyline around your trackers and all other equipment assoiated with each block. (if using a method that already creates polylines around your blocks skip this step)
2. Rename the layer that these closed polylines are on to 'pvfarm_block_area'
   
   

Block Renaming Method:

1. Electrical blocks need to be created as a block reference with the name 'block_X'

2. Make sure your drawing contains Skids and Trackers

3. Create a block reference for an Electrical block via the Block definition menu

   • BLOCK command

     • Select a skid and a bunch of trackers that belong to an electrical block

     • run the BLOCK command

     • Give it the name 'pvfarm_block_X'

     • Select 'Feet' as the Block unit

     • Make sure the block reference is applied in the Model space