Add New Module

When you click Add New Module from the Module Library, a modal appears presenting six options for creating a new module specification.

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Input Options Overview

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1. Upload PPM File

Upload a PlantPredict native module file (.ppm format). This is a straightforward file import:

1. Click Upload PPM File
2. A file explorer opens
3. Navigate to and select your .ppm file
4. The module is imported with all parameters intact

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2. Upload PAN File

Upload a PVsyst native module file (.pan format). This allows migration of module specifications from PVsyst:

1. Click Upload PAN File
2. A file explorer opens
3. Navigate to and select your .pan file
4. PlantPredict converts the PVsyst parameters to PlantPredict format

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3. Create Blank Template

Creates a new module file with all parameters set to default or empty values. This option provides the same parameter structure as documented in the Module File page.

1. Click Create Blank Template
2. A blank module file opens with all tabs available
3. Manually enter all required parameters
4. Click Save Module when complete

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4. Enter Basic Data

The Enter Basic Data option is recommended when creating a module from a standard manufacturer datasheet. PlantPredict automatically generates 1-diode parameters from the basic electrical characteristics you provide.

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User Inputs

#	Input	Type	Units	Description	Related Documentation
1	Generate Module	Button	—	Generates the complete module file from entered data and opens the module editor for final review and saving.	—
2	Cell Technology	Dropdown	—	Select the cell technology. Options: n-type mono c-Si, p-type mono c-Si PERC, p-type mono c-Si BSF, poly c-Si PERC, poly c-Si BSF, CdTe, CIGS, Mixed.	—
3	Number of Cells in Series	Numeric	—	Number of cells connected in series within the module.	—
4	Model Type	Dropdown	—	Select the diode model type. Options: 1-Diode, 1-Diode Recombination, 1-Diode Recombination Non-Linear. Use 1-Diode for crystalline silicon modules; use 1-Diode Recombination for CdTe modules.	Single Diode Model
5	Maximum Power	Numeric	W	Rated maximum power at STC (Pmax).	—
6	Power Temp. Coeff.	Numeric	%/°C	Temperature coefficient of power (typically negative).	—
7	Voc	Numeric	V	Open circuit voltage at STC.	—
8	Voc Temp. Coeff.	Numeric	%/°C	Temperature coefficient of open circuit voltage (typically negative).	—
9	Isc	Numeric	A	Short circuit current at STC.	—
10	Isc Temp. Coeff.	Numeric	%/°C	Temperature coefficient of short circuit current (typically positive).	—
11	Vmp	Numeric	V	Voltage at maximum power point at STC.	—
12	Imp	Numeric	A	Current at maximum power point at STC.	—
13	Module Temp.	Numeric	°C / °F	Temperature for calculated performance preview (adjustable).	—
14	Irradiance	Numeric	W/m²	Irradiance for calculated performance preview (adjustable).	—
15	Show/Hide Advanced Fine Tuning Options	Toggle	—	Expands or collapses the 1-Diode Parameters and Effective Irradiance Response (EIR) tuning sections.	—
16	Use algorithmic defaults	Checkbox	—	When checked, 1-diode parameters are calculated automatically. Unchecks automatically when any parameter is manually modified. Re-check to revert to defaults.	—
17	Series Resistance at STC	Numeric	Ω	Series resistance at STC. Key parameter for EIR optimization.	Single Diode Model
18	Recombination Parameter	Numeric	V	Recombination loss parameter for the diode model.	Recombination Model
19	Shunt Resistance at STC	Numeric	Ω	Shunt resistance at STC.	Single Diode Model
20	Exp. Dep. of Shunt Resist.	Numeric	—	Exponential dependence of shunt resistance on irradiance.	—
21	Dark Shunt Resistance	Numeric	Ω	Shunt resistance in the dark (zero irradiance).	—
22	Optimize to match EIR	Button	—	Algorithmically tunes Series Resistance at STC to match the desired Effective Irradiance Response curve.	—
23	Add Curve	Button	—	Add a new temperature curve for the Effective Irradiance Response. Only the 25°C curve is used for EIR optimization.	—
24	Irradiance / Rel. Efficiency Table	Table	W/m², %	Enter desired irradiance-relative efficiency pairs to define target EIR performance.	—
26	Add Point	Button	—	Add a new irradiance-efficiency data point to the EIR table.	—
27	Clear Form Data	Button	—	Clear all EIR data points from the table.	—
28	Relative Efficiency	Radio	—	Display the EIR chart showing relative efficiency vs. irradiance. Solid line = model-calculated; circles = target values.	—
29	Difference/Error	Radio	—	Display the difference between target and model-calculated relative efficiencies at each irradiance point.	—

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Workflow

1. Fill in General Characteristics (Cell Technology, Number of Cells, Model Type)
2. Enter Electrical Data at STC (Pmax, Voc, Isc, Vmp, Imp)
3. Enter Temperature Coefficients (Power, Voc, Isc)
4. Review the Calculated Performance and I-V curve preview
5. (Optional) Expand Advanced Fine Tuning Options to optimize EIR
6. Click Generate Module to create the module file
7. Complete remaining metadata and click Save Module

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Advanced Tuning with Effective Irradiance Response (EIR)

A module’s EIR defines its relative efficiency across a range of irradiance levels, where 100% represents efficiency at 1000 W/m². To optimize EIR:

1. Click Show Advanced Fine Tuning Options
2. Click Add Curve and specify a temperature (use 25°C for optimization)
3. Enter irradiance-relative efficiency pairs in the table
4. The chart displays target values (circles) and model-calculated values (solid line)
5. Click Optimize to match EIR to automatically tune Series Resistance
6. Toggle to Difference/Error view to see optimization quality
7. Manually adjust 1-diode parameters if further refinement is needed

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5. Enter Key I-V Points

The Enter Key I-V Points option is recommended when you have module performance data from IEC 61853-1 testing or similar characterization. PlantPredict automatically calculates temperature coefficients and relative efficiencies from the provided data.

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Data Entry Format

For each temperature and irradiance condition, enter the key electrical characteristics:

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Features

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Workflow

1. Click Enter Key I-V Points from the Add New Module modal
2. Enter data at 25°C, 1000 W/m² (minimum required)
3. Add additional irradiance rows and temperature tabs as available
4. Review the Calculated Performance panel for extracted values
5. Click Continue to proceed to the module generator
6. Review and finalize the module, then click Save Module

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6. Enter Full I-V Curves

The Enter Full I-V Curves option is recommended when you have complete I-V curve measurements at STC and other conditions. PlantPredict extracts all key electrical parameters automatically from the curve data.

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Data Entry Format

For each I-V curve, enter current-voltage pairs from Isc (V=0) to Voc (I=0):

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Features

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Workflow

1. Click Enter Full I-V Curves from the Add New Module modal
2. Enter the I-V curve at 25°C, 1000 W/m² (minimum required)
3. Add additional curves at different irradiances and temperatures as available
4. Review the Calculated Performance panel for extracted values
5. Click Continue to proceed to the module generator
6. Review and finalize the module, then click Save Module