Importing equipment: .PAN, .OND, .BTR and datasheet
If your device is not in the catalogue you have three options. All of them leave the device in «My database» with its source stated.
PVsyst files
PVsyst stores components in text files that many manufacturers publish on their websites.
| File | Component | What is extracted |
|---|---|---|
| .PAN | Module | Datasheet data and single-diode model parameters |
| .OND | Inverter | Datasheet data and efficiency curve by voltage, start-up threshold and night-time consumption |
| .BTR | Battery | Datasheet data and the battery profiles |
They are the most reliable: the parameters are validated by the manufacturer. Drag the file into the «Add my equipment» section. You can enter a price.
Adding from the datasheet (PDF or image)
- Upload the PDF or image of the datasheet.
- The system extracts the text (with OCR if it is an image) and proposes the data. If an AI assistant is configured, it uses it; otherwise, it applies rules to the text.
- You review and correct the data in a form. You are warned of inconsistencies (for example, a Voc incompatible with Vmp).
- The component is created.
Nothing is saved without your review, and what is saved is marked as «imported, unverified»: the report reflects this.
Adding by hand
You can also fill in the form directly, for modules, inverters, batteries and optimizers.
CEC/SAM open database
You can import the open CEC/SAM module and inverter database included in pvlib. Its reliability is low (a different model, US certification for inverters): use it as a last resort.
Sharing
The equipment in «My database» is yours by default. You can mark it as shared so that other users can see it.
Always check the data
A value misread from a PDF (a voltage, a temperature coefficient) can invalidate the whole electrical validation. Check the critical values against the datasheet before simulating.