DC-AC-HV Cabling
Plan cable routes according to site geometry; manage DC, AC and HV lines in the same drawing.
After stringing and equipment placement, PVGround automatically creates cable routes along trenchlines (cable trenches). It first draws the routes in the 2D plan view, then moves them into the 3D model using the topography. It produces quantity data per transformer, inverter and string, and provides ready output for the bill of materials and technical checks.
How it works
- 1
Prepare the electrical infrastructure
Cabling starts once PV Area selection, stringing and device placement (inverter/transformer placement) are complete. The system reads the string-inverter-transformer relationship from the drawing.
- 2
Define the trenchline routes
Separate trench lines are selected for DC, AC and HV. Burial depth and slack (extra length) values are set separately for each line type.
- 3
Run automatic cabling
DC: from the string +/− terminals to the trenchline, and from the trenchline to the inverter. AC: from the inverter to the trenchline, and from the trenchline to the transformer. HV: connection between transformers (or to the substation) via the trenchline. In central inverter mode, the middle stage becomes DC Combiner → Central Inverter cabling. On tracker sites, DC cabling uses an algorithm specific to the tracker layout.
- 4
Convert to 3D
With Convert to 3D, cables and trenchlines are converted into 3D geometry that follows the topography. Panel corridors, burial depths and terrain slope are reflected in the model.
- 5
Quantity takeoff and reporting
Each cable segment is tagged with metadata (string, inverter, transformer). This data is used in DC/AC quantity analysis, cross-section calculation and project reports.
Highlights
- DC, AC and HV cables in one model: with separate trenchline layers and color codes
- Trenchline-based automatic routing: routes that fit the site plan reduce manual drawing work
- String Inverter and Central Inverter support: AC or DC Combiner flow depending on the system type
- Fixed-Tilt and Tracker compatibility: separate DC cabling logic for tracker sites
- Slack and burial depth control: separate parameters for DC, AC and HV
- 2D → 3D conversion: realistic cable and trench geometry with topography
- Quantity takeoff with metadata: length tracking per transformer / inverter / string
- DC corridor creation: cable corridors between panels across the PV Area
Other features
Explore other systems inside PVGround.
Shadowing Analysis
PVGround brings together your panel layout, shading objects and the date/time scenario you choose inside the AutoCAD model. You see which rows are shaded and at what times directly on the drawing, and clarify risky zones before changing row spacing, orientation or obstacle placement.
View detailsTerrain Analysis
PVGround imports topographic data into AutoCAD and lets you analyze your site before and after panel layout. You see slope limits, elevation differences, water flow directions and cut-fill requirements on a single drawing, and detect risky areas early.
View detailsCapacity Iteration
PVGround virtually tests multiple row-spacing scenarios based on your PV Area boundaries and panel settings. It compares capacity, module count and used area per scenario in a table and applies your chosen result directly to the drawing.
View detailsPile Analysis
PVGround analyzes topography-based piles frame by frame. It groups front and rear leg lengths into production types using tolerance; calculates column, purlin, brace and accessory tonnage for monofacial or bifacial construction. Results are color-coded on the drawing or exported as a detailed Excel report.
View detailsReporting System
No more manual spreadsheets. PVGround reads power, quantities and site data straight from your design and delivers professional outputs for clients and teams in minutes. One model, one workflow: from early design to tender-ready reports.
View details