Pile Analysis
Group pile lengths calculated from terrain, extract tonnage, and export production lists to Excel.
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.
Measure pile lengths, group them, export tonnage to Excel.
How it works
- 1
Generate piles
After panel layout and topography are ready, select the PV Area and define leg count per frame type, profile section (kg/m), brace layout and minimum embedment depth. With Construction Detail enabled, choose Single-Face or Double-Face mode; the system draws 3D piles and structural members. All data is saved to the PV Area snapshot.
- 2
Analyze the site with Pile Analysis
Select the PV Area and number frames. Similar front/rear leg lengths are grouped into production types (Type 1, Type 2…) using tolerance (default 0.10 m). Analyze shows total pile count, length and weight summary.
- 3
View production groups on the drawing
Apply color-codes frames of the same production type so you can visually track length differences across the site.
- 4
Export to Excel
Generate a three-sheet report in one click: frame-pile detail, structural quantity summary and detailed construction BoQ (kg/tonnage).
Generate Piles: what is configured?
- Edge distance (L/R)Distance from frame edge to first pile
- Max distance between pilesIntermediate pile spacing limit
- Min pile depthMinimum embedment depth
- Front / side leg countPile count per frame type
- Brace layoutInteractive brace placement in Side / Front / Back views
- Profiles tabFront (KL) and rear (KR) column code, section, kg/m
- Construction DetailPurlin, beam, brace, clamp and bolt drawing
- Single-FaceMonofacial: classic single-sided panel support
- Double-FaceBifacial: dual-sided panel with different purlin and beam layout
When multiple frame types exist, each type is processed in one pass with its own settings.
Tolerance logic
Production grouping compares the maximum front (Front B) and rear (Back A) pile lengths of frames on the same site. If the length difference within a group does not exceed your tolerance (e.g. 0.10 m), frames are treated as the same production type and quantified with a single cut length.
- A few production types instead of hundreds of different lengths on site
- Simplified fabrication and procurement lists
- Excel and drawing color-coding use the same grouping
Excel export: 3 sheets
Sheet 1: Pile Analysis (detail)
Row, frame no, pile no, slope direction (North/South color-coded), rear/front pile length (m), flat terrain reference length, pile weight (kg), frame pile count.
Sheet 2: BQ Summary (structural overview)
Totals and per frame type: front/rear pile count and length, side braces, front/rear face braces, mid/end clamp counts.
Sheet 3: Detail Construction BoQ (tonnage)
Detailed quantities by category: Piles, Purlins / Beams, Depth beams, Braces, Clamps and accessories, Bolts. Each row includes product code, section, length (mm), quantity, unit kg, total kg. Category subtotals and grand total kg with tonnage. Construction Mode (Single-Face / Double-Face) is noted in the report.
Prerequisites
Before Pile Analysis can run:
- Panel layout (Generate Layout)
- Topography (Import Elevation)
- Generate Piles
must be completed. Without a snapshot, analysis and export will not start.
Highlights
- Frame-based pile length calculation from topography (front + rear legs)
- Monofacial and bifacial construction support
- Frame-type-specific profile, leg count and brace configuration
- Production group creation with tolerance (Type 1, Type 2…)
- Production group color-coding on the drawing
- Frame numbering and row/line tracking
- Detail + summary + tonnage BoQ in Excel (3 sheets)
- Front/rear legs, braces, clamps and bolts in one package
- PV Area snapshot keeps analysis and export in sync with the drawing
Outputs shown on this page
- 3D pile modelAssembly and site coordination
- Production group color mapClarifies which frames share the same cut length
- Pile length table (Excel)Fabrication and site measurement list
- Structural BQ summaryQuick quantity check
- Detail Construction BoQ (kg)Procurement and tonnage-based costing
- Slope direction (N/S)Frame classification by terrain slope
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.
Terrain 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.
Capacity 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.
DC-AC-HV Cabling
Plan DC, AC and high-voltage cable routes in the 3D model to simplify quantity takeoff and design control.
Reporting 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.