General User Interface Principles
The SolarFarmer user interface is designed to step the user through the process of configuring a site model in a logical and intuitive order whilst allowing easy access to any part of the model at any time.
The process is organised into 'chapters' symbolized by the large icons on the left of the SolarFarmer window (highlighted in red below). Each chapter is broken down into 'tasks' that appear to the right of the chapter icons when the chapter is selected highlighted (in green below).
Chapters and Tasks in the SolarFarmer user interface (click to enlarge)
Typically, the user will run through the chapters and the task sections within them from top to bottom.
Here's a quick overview of the functionality available in each chapter:
Icon | Chapter | Tasks |
---|---|---|
Setup Site |
|
|
Define Climate |
|
|
Define Shading Obstacles |
|
|
Define Components |
|
|
Lay Out Plant |
|
|
Calculate Energy |
|
|
Create Report |
|
Workbook
When choosing the site location, defining components and laying out the
site, you can save the current state in what we call a workbook.
This is the equivalent of a project or document in other software
packages; files are saved with a *.sfw
extension (SolarFarmer
Workbook).
Working with the Map
See Working with the Map for more details and tips on working with the map in SolarFarmer.